This is so true. Thank you for this post, it is good to put the reality of having published in front of more readers, and hopefully some writers will get it. From my experience in publishing, many writers are so entitled, it made dealing with the realities very difficult indeed. They think the writing of the book was the heavy lifting. They do not understand, nor do they want to, the work involved in getting a book into print and distribution. It makes me tired. That is all.
Yes, the publicity is the hard bit but it is also what writers are paid for (in their advance). There is a commitment there that you will do the work, the interviews (if you’re lucky). Publishing a book is not for everyone!
This is such an interesting comment; thank you so much for your honesty. As a writer who has no experience of publishing, I think it would do us good to get more insights into the industry. I can't imagine anything worse than entitled, self-absorbed writers!
Oh, honey. There are golden ones, to be sure, who understand that publishing is truly a collaborative effort of many, many steps. Or they’re at least open to learning this. The entitled ones do sap the strength, though! Best wishes on your journey :)
Oooh, this is a fascinating one. We're all so different and fascinating, too, and each of us has different reasons and motivations for writing a book. And part of me thinks that if an award-winning columnist has such an experience, what hope is there for the rest of us? 'If you have a second career as a TV presenter, you’re one of the lucky ones': isn't this the truth. Because a very well-known name won't be a hard sell (although I won't be buying any of Osman's books unless it's from a charity shop)... I know it's all very well for Kate Bush, too, but I always think of what she said in an interview way back about her motivation for recording her first album. "I didn't want to be be famous, I didn't want to be successful, I just wanted to make an album." I know this sounds naive and is probably a very unusual view, but when it comes to my writing, I'm of a similar opinion. Writing a book, for me, is an end in itself. I'm not expecting the publishing industry to fall at my feet (not suggesting Duguid did, either); I'll just be happy to have something to leave behind when I'm gone. If I do go down the trad. publishing route, I'll expect endless rejection, I guess, because, I'm already kind of used to it. I failed the 11+, was rejected by all but one of the unis I applied to, was sidelined and ignored for jobs I applied for... Failure and rejection are my friends. I don't really give a rat's ass; I just want to complete my novel. I don't know too many people who actually have had a successful publishing experience, but I'm very happy for anyone who has because I am on my own journey.
I think this is a very sensible view, Anita. And I think most of us writers, write because we’re compelled to. Perhaps this is the difference between us and celebs who get publishing deals. My stepdad always used to say expect the worst and you won’t be disappointed, which I found very pessimistic, but I definitely think it’s true when it comes to the publishing industry!
Also, maybe it's just me but I'm finding In Pursuit of Happiness to be a bit 'meh' for a title. Paloma Faith's title is better, in my opinion. In any case, I don't know why the fact that they're similar in content should be an issue. Loads of books are similar to each other, e.g. cookery books, witchy books, period books... But what do I know.
It’s the cover. Put the two books side by side and choose one. Stacey Duguid’s has the feel of an old Mills and Boon with the big slab of red and then a confusing image with a hint of porn. MILF is clean contemporary and has a good blurb. It grabs your attention and you know what you are getting into.
I think this is a perfect example of how important a book cover is and that people do judge a book by its cover.
Right? Duguid's cover looks very amateur, from the fonts used, image choice, colour and layout. It's hard to believe a publishing company felt it was the best option.
They make such odd decisions on covers. I HATED the cover of my novel, but you should have seen the one they wanted to run with! 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ seeing as they’re basically decided by sales and marketing and not creatives, this perhaps makes sense… hmmm, I feel a substack coming on
It's the biggest mistake Indie authors make when starting out. Using Canva or similar to make their own covers. And then wonder why it doesn't sell. But for publishing houses to produce shoddy covers after a big investment is shocking. A quick comparison of comps in the same genre that are selling well doesn't take a genius in marketing to do. Sorry you didn't get the cover your book deserved. Good idea for a substack. ;)
I should add I think Stacey is brilliant at saying the thing everyone else is thinking but refuses to say and it’s a very refreshing and valuable quality, the ability to cut through the noise like a knife takes instincts and guts.
This is so true. Thank you for this post, it is good to put the reality of having published in front of more readers, and hopefully some writers will get it. From my experience in publishing, many writers are so entitled, it made dealing with the realities very difficult indeed. They think the writing of the book was the heavy lifting. They do not understand, nor do they want to, the work involved in getting a book into print and distribution. It makes me tired. That is all.
Yes, the publicity is the hard bit but it is also what writers are paid for (in their advance). There is a commitment there that you will do the work, the interviews (if you’re lucky). Publishing a book is not for everyone!
This is such an interesting comment; thank you so much for your honesty. As a writer who has no experience of publishing, I think it would do us good to get more insights into the industry. I can't imagine anything worse than entitled, self-absorbed writers!
Oh, honey. There are golden ones, to be sure, who understand that publishing is truly a collaborative effort of many, many steps. Or they’re at least open to learning this. The entitled ones do sap the strength, though! Best wishes on your journey :)
Thank you so! It's good to hear there are golden ones. :)
Oooh, this is a fascinating one. We're all so different and fascinating, too, and each of us has different reasons and motivations for writing a book. And part of me thinks that if an award-winning columnist has such an experience, what hope is there for the rest of us? 'If you have a second career as a TV presenter, you’re one of the lucky ones': isn't this the truth. Because a very well-known name won't be a hard sell (although I won't be buying any of Osman's books unless it's from a charity shop)... I know it's all very well for Kate Bush, too, but I always think of what she said in an interview way back about her motivation for recording her first album. "I didn't want to be be famous, I didn't want to be successful, I just wanted to make an album." I know this sounds naive and is probably a very unusual view, but when it comes to my writing, I'm of a similar opinion. Writing a book, for me, is an end in itself. I'm not expecting the publishing industry to fall at my feet (not suggesting Duguid did, either); I'll just be happy to have something to leave behind when I'm gone. If I do go down the trad. publishing route, I'll expect endless rejection, I guess, because, I'm already kind of used to it. I failed the 11+, was rejected by all but one of the unis I applied to, was sidelined and ignored for jobs I applied for... Failure and rejection are my friends. I don't really give a rat's ass; I just want to complete my novel. I don't know too many people who actually have had a successful publishing experience, but I'm very happy for anyone who has because I am on my own journey.
I think this is a very sensible view, Anita. And I think most of us writers, write because we’re compelled to. Perhaps this is the difference between us and celebs who get publishing deals. My stepdad always used to say expect the worst and you won’t be disappointed, which I found very pessimistic, but I definitely think it’s true when it comes to the publishing industry!
I'm with your stepdad! :)
Also, maybe it's just me but I'm finding In Pursuit of Happiness to be a bit 'meh' for a title. Paloma Faith's title is better, in my opinion. In any case, I don't know why the fact that they're similar in content should be an issue. Loads of books are similar to each other, e.g. cookery books, witchy books, period books... But what do I know.
I agree with you re the title.
Sounds like she had a tantrum.
😬
It’s the cover. Put the two books side by side and choose one. Stacey Duguid’s has the feel of an old Mills and Boon with the big slab of red and then a confusing image with a hint of porn. MILF is clean contemporary and has a good blurb. It grabs your attention and you know what you are getting into.
I think this is a perfect example of how important a book cover is and that people do judge a book by its cover.
Yes, there’s definitely something in that. I really like the MILF cover.
Right? Duguid's cover looks very amateur, from the fonts used, image choice, colour and layout. It's hard to believe a publishing company felt it was the best option.
They make such odd decisions on covers. I HATED the cover of my novel, but you should have seen the one they wanted to run with! 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ seeing as they’re basically decided by sales and marketing and not creatives, this perhaps makes sense… hmmm, I feel a substack coming on
It's the biggest mistake Indie authors make when starting out. Using Canva or similar to make their own covers. And then wonder why it doesn't sell. But for publishing houses to produce shoddy covers after a big investment is shocking. A quick comparison of comps in the same genre that are selling well doesn't take a genius in marketing to do. Sorry you didn't get the cover your book deserved. Good idea for a substack. ;)
God… the agony. I think the key to pretty much everything in life (and publishing especially) is to spread your bets and manage your expectations.
I should add I think Stacey is brilliant at saying the thing everyone else is thinking but refuses to say and it’s a very refreshing and valuable quality, the ability to cut through the noise like a knife takes instincts and guts.