Story Sprouts is a mixture of writing resource and anthology, with 38 stories and poems created during a six-hour writing day workshop last June. Some of our authors have been published before, in a variety of media, while for many this is the first time seeing their name in print. As an organization (Children's Book Writers of Los Angeles) dedicated to educating and inspiring writers on their road to publication, we are so proud of all of our authors, but especially excited for our first timers! First publication is a wonderful feeling and ego-boost for writers!
So, we've decided, in jest, to identify the five stages of first publication. Perhaps you can identify?
1 - ELATION: Your name is in print. Your name is in print! OMG, YOUR NAME IS IN PRINT! Pure, uninhibited, jump-up-and-kick-your-heels together joy - your name is in print.
2 - DOUBT: Your name is in print. With a story. Wait, what did the story say? What will your friends think? Did you put your best foot forward? Wasn't there a mistake on the 10th page, in the 3rd paragraph, in the 4th sentence? What will people think about your brain and how it works and what that story says about your sanity? Oh, this could be bad ….
3 - RELIEF: Your editor caught that mistake on the 10th page, in the 3rd paragraph, in the 4th sentence. Phew. And another 200 mini mistakes you and your word processor and your revisions didn't even notice - commas and misspelled words. Nice. Saved from the wrath of the grammar police.
4 - FRUSTRATION: But wait, your editor also changed something that you said that was brilliant on the 64th page. Why did they change that? You spent days perfecting that metaphor. How could they change it? Isn't that your name on the cover? And what about these other 10 spots that were tweaked unnecessarily. How could that be?
5 - RESOLVE AND SATISFACTION: Your name is in print. Your neighbor and hairdresser and high school english teacher have all expressed their positive opinions (even if it did take months to get it into their hands!). The story is good. You don't have to hide under a rock with doubt or kick your editor to the curb. You created something, and people like it. It is something to be proud of. And you're ready to tackle that next story with resolve, intent on giving your editor even less work on the next round, and your reader even more to fall in love with.
So, what do you think? Feel familiar? What did we miss?
Learn more about Story Sprouts at http://www.storysproutsanthology.com/
Join the Children’s Book Writers of Los Angeles at www.cbw-la.org
To buy Story Sprouts: Amazon
To find Alana: Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter
To find Nutschell: Blog, Twitter, Linked-In, Pinterest
Hi, Lynda & Nutschell,
ReplyDeleteThe roller-coaster ride that is publishing is reflected in the stages you listed here. No matter how good our story, we have meltdown moments mixed in with the joy of being published. I hope Story Sprouts is doing well.
Thanks J.L.! Yes, meltdown and joy run hand in hand!
DeleteDays perfecting that metaphor - know the feeling! And the two hundred other mistakes you completely missed.
ReplyDeleteWith you two editing it though, I know all of the authors are quite pleased with the results.
Isn't it frustrating to miss those things?!
DeleteThanks a bunch for the compliment! We aim to please, but know it's still a roller coaster to be published!
Yes, the feelings are very mixed, even when you do find a publisher. Can totally relate to this, especially the doubt.
ReplyDeleteYes, totally. Even with a blog - my first posts felt so vulnerable and raw because it was me writing from my mind rather than from real life (I'm a journalist, so I'm used to talking about other people!), and I felt a ton of doubt.
DeleteIt's nerve-racking to put yourself out there!
I'm there in the first couple of steps. Hoping there is relief later!
ReplyDeleteIt will come! I hope, I hope!
DeleteYes, it does go something like that.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Yes, that's it. Of course, there is always that one little mistake that slips through. Don't let it stress you.
ReplyDeleteThat one little mistake … gets me every time! I was shocked at finding mistakes in published books as a reader, but now I can understand … it's just impossible to find them all!
DeleteGood advice - no stress, no worries!
LOL I can definitely recognize these steps. I think I would add in Panic and Paralyzing Fear somewhere LOL.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Yes!! That can show up anywhere between a pre-five-steps step and an infringing-on-step-two-to-the-point-of-going-crazy step! Lol.
DeleteTalk about your full circle. ;)
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteThese are great! Definitely fit the feelings :) You might want to tack on the "Ack! Now I have to market!" panic at the end, haha!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes ………. marketing …. yikes! That might even deserve it's own five steps. Good call!!
DeleteI think Doubt would be the subtitle of the entire experience for me. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, dear! Can definitely understand. Hope you can kick that doubt to the curb though, at least for moments!
DeleteFirst publication is really cool! Congratulations! All of these steps make perfect sense to me.
ReplyDeleteIt is awesome. We are so proud of our writers!!!
DeleteOh my goodness, YES! I'm with Meradeth on that--the eek, now I'm not just writing but marketing too!
ReplyDelete*shudders*
Delete;)
Loved those stages. I think I've felt them all with all my books.
ReplyDeleteSuch a series of ups and downs, this writing life! But, if you're on bookS, you're definitely doing something right. I suppose these five stages are probably mimicked in all sorts of artistic endeavors...
DeleteThe going over and over it part is the part i hate
ReplyDeleteRepetition and maintenance are common foes. I hear ya.
DeleteAll those stages sound familar. Recognized all of them.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it good to know we're not alone in going through this?
DeleteExcellent. I see from the comments above that you nailed it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robin!
DeleteI'm lingering in the doubt stage still, trying to break out and relish in the moment!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, break on through and get to the moment!!! You created something, and had the courage to put it out there, and that is an AMAZING achievement!
DeleteThank you SO MUCH for having us Lynda, and to all those who read and commented!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, Alana
DeletePublishing is a journey. Whether it's worth it depends on the choices you make.
ReplyDeleteThat's true!
DeleteI wish it felt familiar! If it ever happens, I'll be sure to record what happens for the record.
ReplyDeleteYes, please do report back. Wishing you lots of luck that you'll be able to relate very soon!!! :)
DeleteI agree with Joy. It is a rollercoaster ride filled with many many downs with some ups. The ups make it worth the ride. :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Those ups are so worth it.
DeleteThis is a really great and accurate summary of the experience I'd say. Congrats again to Nutschell and Alana and nice post Lynda :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Emilyann!
DeleteFantastic post! That's exactly what I go through. All those ups and downs. Each accompanied by chocolate and cookies! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine!! Chocolate and cookies to accompany - good call!
DeleteEnjoyed this round-up of the stages. It's quite the roller coaster ride, isn't it? ;)
ReplyDeleteIt is!! Glad you enjoyed the round-up. :)
DeleteYes, I can see all those stages happening! Well done with the tour! I've caught quite a few posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Denise! Almost made it through the month - Friday's the last post! Hip, hip, hooray. We've had so much fun visiting everyone. :D
DeleteLate to the party, but thanks so much Lynda for hosting us here! And thanks to everyone who left a comment :)
ReplyDeletehugs to you all!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Awesome points on editing:) I've gone through that myself, but the next big mystery to me is, when are you ready to publish your book out there? Promotion, cover, etc. That's what I'd like to know:)
ReplyDeleteThat is a great question, Mark! Check out our anthology site - www.storysproutsanthology.com - and see if you can find some topics that interest you.
DeleteI imagine you might like Assembling Your Publishing Team and Book for Sale, Book for Sale! Hawking the Self-Published Story - they won't totally answer your question, but might be start to point you in the right direction. The Many Roles of an Indie Author is also pretty pertinent to your question.
Best of luck!!
Way to sum up the experience.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nana! :)
DeleteYes, I can totally relate to all these.
ReplyDelete;D
DeleteI enjoyed this and cant wait until it's my turn.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rhonda! Hope it comes soon! :)
DeleteYes, these stages definitely feel familiar. It's nice to know most people go through them.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it?
DeleteYes - those are definitely the stages!
ReplyDeleteThis is so funny! Definitely a good way to look at the pros and cons of publication. Please stop by my blog for a link to free promo stuff for indie-authors. :)
ReplyDeleteI remember the shock when I realized getting published hadn't solved all my problems. LOL. I was so green in those days. Remember that horrible feeling afterwards? Am I a 1-book author?
ReplyDeleteNice to see Nuschell here.
ReplyDeleteFun ups and downs of a writer, no matter what stage we're at!
Hahahaa...you hit every neurotic stage of a published author! Great Post! And Thank You a hundred times over, Lynda for displaying my book Tallas!!
ReplyDeleteAny time, Cathrina
DeleteYep! All of those run through my head. I never expected to have so many conflicting emotions caused by someone reading what I wrote.
ReplyDeleteVery similar to the stages of loss.
ReplyDeleteYou hit them all square on the head. Been there, lived it. And you're right. In the end I was published and it was awesome. :-)
Anna from Shout with Emaginette
I can see all that. Any exciting time has to be dampered by moments of doubt. Next thing is a payday. That's what I'd want to see the most.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out