Eyes Up, Heels Down: The Long View of Publishing

Since I was a kid, I wanted to publish a book. 

I didn't think too far past that goal because I thought I knew what came next: 

A) I thought that since very few people actually complete novels, agents/editors/publishers would be impressed that I had. 

B) I thought publishing one book equaled a writing career. 

C) I thought all published books were financial successes.

D) I thought all authors were famous.

Me and Snowy

Remember, I was a kid, but honestly, I remained so focused on the goal of publishing one book, that it took my agent to open my eyes to the possibility of a writing career. 

And the advice I've received is familiar. When jumping a horse, I was trained not to look at the jump, but to keep my eyes up on the next jump. I learned that if I stare at a jump, my horse will stop at the base. He'll think he's arrived at our destination, and we will fail to fly. But publishing is not a destination, it's a journey, and I've reconsidered my conceptions (misconceptions).  

Here is what I believe now.

A) While it is rare and impressive to complete a novel in the regular world, it is not rare or impressive in the publishing world. Completing a novel catapulted me from a huge pond where I was unique, into a smaller pond where I was common.

B) Publishing one book is not anyone's goal for me--not my agent's, not my editors', not my publisher's, and not my readers'. The first book is just that, the first. Expect to keep going. 

C)  Some books have mass market appeal, some fill a smaller niche. Know your market so you know what to expect in terms of sales and literary reception--and know that no one can predict what will take off and what won't. And that's good because it means publishers take chances on a variety of voices and writers--giving more of us a chance to succeed. 

D) An author can be successful without being famous. Go to any large library or bookstore and browse the names. Who are all these writers? They all received coveted publishing deals, their books are on the shelves, maybe facing out, but they aren't all famous. Fame is a possible but tempermental byproduct of a writing career, don't focus on it.  

So the Long View of Publishing is to look past the book deal, past the first book, and then past the second. Signing the contract is the beginning of a long career, not just the realization of a dream.

As soon as I finish a book, I let it go and I begin a new book. The best plan to absorb the pressures and expectations of publishing (our own and others) is to root our heels into the work; keep writing and don't look back, don't look down, and don't look at anybody else. The long view is about the journey.  

I don't aim to finish, I aim to keep going. Eyes up, heels down. Great advice, even now. 

You might enjoy this article: Ten Things I've Learned Since Signing My Contract

by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

Author of The Guardian Herd series

Book #1

Book #2