Yes! I'm not particularly prone to depression, but preparing a book proposal is enough to send anyone over the edge. As you said, writing the marketing plan is the hardest part. Unfortunately, book marketing has become almost entirely the writer's responsibility. I'm submitting my current manuscript to a bunch of indie publishers, but in the back of my mind, I'm also preparing myself to self-publish. I'll pay for professional editing and design, which seems to be the primary value a publisher provides. The rest will be up to me anyway, it seems. Good luck!
Ugh. I feel your pain, Joy. I have my own manuscript that's been hiding out of sight. And these days it's hard to put yourself out there. It feels futile, and I'm a pretty tough and upbeat person. Business plans are like back of the book blurbs, too, just a huge pain in the ass. It's completely different writing. We're not alone! There's something in that. Wishing you luck on your proposal. Day by day, right? ❤️
I gotta read this book! I don't know if I've ever recognised myself more than in the final quote about how difficult creative work is. We don't often get to acknowledge it but writing is hard, hard work. It's also a passion and a joy, but there are many days I wish I could paint houses or clean horse stables. I am deeply grateful to be well enough to be able to do my work but it is often difficult and I crave honesty around that fact.
Also, on the marketing, I share the 'ugh' feeling. What has worked for me is to incorporate generosity in how I approach my marketing efforts - sometimes this means offering something free (but not spammy), sometimes it means paying the people who I know are labouring in the trenches alongside me, sometimes it means taking the extras steps to make something more accesible to people. It doesn't always work (& I'm not sure how it would scale for a memoir project), but I wanted to share the idea.
Thank you for this, Joy! It’s perfect timing for me. As I revise my MS, I see how far I’ve come and see a great potential, but self-doubt is creeping in. Good luck with the proposal!
Yes! I'm not particularly prone to depression, but preparing a book proposal is enough to send anyone over the edge. As you said, writing the marketing plan is the hardest part. Unfortunately, book marketing has become almost entirely the writer's responsibility. I'm submitting my current manuscript to a bunch of indie publishers, but in the back of my mind, I'm also preparing myself to self-publish. I'll pay for professional editing and design, which seems to be the primary value a publisher provides. The rest will be up to me anyway, it seems. Good luck!
Ugh. I feel your pain, Joy. I have my own manuscript that's been hiding out of sight. And these days it's hard to put yourself out there. It feels futile, and I'm a pretty tough and upbeat person. Business plans are like back of the book blurbs, too, just a huge pain in the ass. It's completely different writing. We're not alone! There's something in that. Wishing you luck on your proposal. Day by day, right? ❤️
I gotta read this book! I don't know if I've ever recognised myself more than in the final quote about how difficult creative work is. We don't often get to acknowledge it but writing is hard, hard work. It's also a passion and a joy, but there are many days I wish I could paint houses or clean horse stables. I am deeply grateful to be well enough to be able to do my work but it is often difficult and I crave honesty around that fact.
Also, on the marketing, I share the 'ugh' feeling. What has worked for me is to incorporate generosity in how I approach my marketing efforts - sometimes this means offering something free (but not spammy), sometimes it means paying the people who I know are labouring in the trenches alongside me, sometimes it means taking the extras steps to make something more accesible to people. It doesn't always work (& I'm not sure how it would scale for a memoir project), but I wanted to share the idea.
All my best to you Joy! Keep going!
Thank you for this, Joy! It’s perfect timing for me. As I revise my MS, I see how far I’ve come and see a great potential, but self-doubt is creeping in. Good luck with the proposal!
Proposals are terrible enough to induce depression no matter how well they go.
😂