An Almost-Published Writer’s Guide to Not Being Stupid

I’d like to introduce you to my cover! A writer friend of mine declared that I had been visited by the cover-art fairy–the good one who spreads joy throughout the land–and I couldn’t agree more. Those vivid colors, the model’s beautiful pose, the cool glow around the text. Love. Everything. I’ve known about it for a month now but had to wait for permissions to filter in, etc… Now that the image is up all over the ‘net’s many book sites, my editor and I figured it was fair game to post it here, too.

I can’t believe how fast time has moved these last few months. Copyedits are behind me, and now we’re waiting on galleys. Hot on the heels of galleys will be the ARCs, when I’ll be able to hold something resembling the final copy of the book in my hands. Very cool.

But for all this coolness, I still feel–often–like I have a lot to learn. Maybe I’ll feel less awkward once I’ve been through the entire circuit once: idea to finished product in my hand. Until then, I’m tripping my way along the path. I’ve joked with my agent that there should be a Publishing Basics for Dummies book.

This weekend, I think I actually found one.

I’d discovered JA Konrath’s fabu blog, A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing a while back, but it was just a few days ago when I learned he’d compiled his helpful blog posts into one free downloadable e-book, The Newbie’s Guide to Publishing Book.

You want to check it out, trust me.

Konrath’s ~750 page tome covers everything from writer’s block and querying to negotiating contracts, publishing myths, promotion tips, press releases and reader expectations. Empowering. Enlightening. Free. Go forth and download…after you’ve finished reading my post.

I’ve been trolling around for other helpful links, too–references we can all use to learn a little more about the industry. Here are a few of my favorites:

* If you think talk of Headbands, AA‘s and platforms refer to holding your hair back, a bra size and your shoes, check out A Publishing Primer, by Chronicle Books, HERE; and agent Jessica Faust’s Publishing Dictionary, HERE.

* For tips on better understanding industry buzz phrases, check out Lynne Griffin’s post, Literary Lingo, at The Writers’ Group, HERE.

* If you’re wondering how best to interact with your agent and editor, check out The Ten Commands of Courtesy, posted by agent Richard Curtis as The Writer’s Edge blog, in two parts. (Hint: it involves a lot of shutting the hell up.)
Part 1 HERE
Part 2 HERE

* Tackling the same basic topic but from an editor’s perspective, check out Editorial Ass’s post on What Makes a Dream Author, HERE.

* Don’t know how you’d ever ask someone for a blurb? Lauren Lise Baratz-Logsted wrote a great post for Red Room about blurb-asking etiquette, HERE.

* Eventually you’ll want to tour at some blogs, right? This, HERE, is the most comprehensive article on How to Be a Gracious Guest Blogger that I’ve ever seen.

* Don’t know what Swagology is? If you have any promotional “booty,” as Shrinking Violets Promotions call it, you will. Check it, HERE.

[And just a p.s., but I am loving the Shrinking Violets site and their vibe, which I discovered recently. I’ve just added them to my Bloglines and to our sidebar here at WU. Good stuff.]

* Wondering how best to utilize GoodReads? Shrinking Violets led me to another good find, Becky Levine’s Moving Forward on the Writing Path site and her post on using GoodReads to an author’s best advantage, HERE.

What are some of the most valuable articles–and sites–you’ve found online? We’d love you to share some links with us. And, hey, are you loving my cover!??

Write on, all!