Plan B: Or What to Do When Things Go Wrong
By Allison Winn Scotch | February 19, 2014 |
So it couldn’t have been more fitting that this month at WU, we’re chatting about just what the heck to do when the publishing industry throws you a curveball. Because if you’ve read any of my past posts here, you know that I’ve been thrown a few curveballs myself as of late. Indeed, the last time I was here, I announced that after four books within the traditional system (I’ve been at HarperCollins, Random House and Penguin), I was opting to take the leap and go indie with my fifth book, THE THEORY OF OPPOSITES. So I know from curveballs. And that’s not even the first screwy pitch I’ve been thrown in my eight years of writing fiction. So today, I thought we would talk about Plan B. And what to do to come up with it, and how to implement it when the time has come to accept that Plan A just isn’t going to cut it, even if you desperately hoped it would.
In case you’re doubting that I’m an expert in Plan Bs, here’s a short run-down on my own publishing hiccups:
- I wrote a book, my very first book, that got me representation but failed to sell to a publisher. After I wrote another book, said agent told me she thought it would do more harm than good to go out with it, as she didn’t think it would sell. She gave me a choice of revisiting the old ms, writing another one from scratch, or…walk away. I was heartbroken and devastated…for about 24 hours. Then I woke up and realized I was walking away. Plan B.
- After I found new representation, my new (and amazing) agent sold that manuscript (the one that would do me more harm than good) at a four-way auction. Yahoo! Right? Yes and no. It was thrilling and incredible, but that book (at the time – it has since go on to sell many more copies) only sold so-so, and when the time came for the publisher to buy my next book, their offer was significantly lower than my initial advance. Again, I was given the option of accepting the offer or…walking away. My agent and I put our heads together, and because we really believed not just in my book but my career, we…walked away. Plan B.
- From there, I landed at a dream publisher/imprint. I loved my editor; I loved my imprint; I was ecstatic. Then my editor left, which was a huge bummer, but in this industry, it happens. I wished her well (still do – we’re still in touch, and she’s fantastic!), and chalked it up to bad luck. I published my second novel, and then on the eve of the the publication of my third novel, my imprint imploded and was quickly dismantled. Very little of what had drawn me to this imprint – the people, the intimacy of their work, – remained. The editor I’d been passed to also left. So I was on my third editor in three books, surrounded by a changing infrastructure that I didn’t trust. What was I going to do? I think you know the answer to this. Though I was contracted for another book, I paid it back and…walked away. Plan B.
- I ended up at my third publisher and fourth editor. Despite all of this flux, I was so excited for the road ahead. Then, for a variety of reasons including my editor heading to another publishing house a few months before the book came out (again), the experience proved to be deflating. Disappointing. So much so that I thought about leaving publishing altogether. Many, many months passed, until finally I found the itch (and passion) to write again, and then, ultimately, as I’ve discussed before, I opted to go indie. Plan B.
SO. The above is a nice little summation of why Plan B is so important. Any of these crossroads could have derailed my career entirely. But because I was willing to take a left when I thought I’d be taking a right, I came out okay. Here are a few suggestions and tips that I’ve gleaned along the way when it comes to formulating your own Plan Bs:
- Hold on to your dream but don’t hold too tightly. There is something to be said for tenacity in this industry. There is going to be a massive amount of rejection, and you’re going to have to find a way to move past it. However, there is smartly moving past it, and there is blindly moving past it. When my first manuscript failed to sell, I HAD to let it go, even though (at the time), I was certain it was brilliant. If I had been resistant to abandoning that book, I wouldn’t have been able to move on and write my next one, which became my debut. Have a reasonableness to your Plan B. For example, if you’ve queried 100 agents and all have passed, consider that it might be time to write something new. There is zero shame in this.
- Understand your motivation. This one is complicated because what we write is so driven and tied into our emotional landscape (ie, the desire to be a bestselling author or the belief that our writing is award-worthy), but this same emotion can hinder us when it comes time to re-evaluating our plan. Every time I took one of my Plan B leaps, I had serious heart-to-hearts with both myself and my agent. In each conversation, I had to ask myself (and my agent): where do I hope and expect to be by making this change? When I left traditional publishing, for example, my hope and expectation was to rejuvenate my passion for my writing by trying something new, and it was also to seize more control over both my books and my career. My goal was not to top a bestseller list. (Which is nice if it happens, but again, not my specific goal.) I set reasonable benchmarks and understood why I set said benchmarks. These really helped me take the step toward Plan B.
- Don’t confuse a change of plans with failure. Listen, sh*t happens. I had three editors leave when I would have much preferred to build a career with any of them. While all of this flux left me a little bit demoralized, I never chalked it up to something that I had done wrong. Or when one of my books didn’t sell as well as hoped but was reviewed well and widely, I initially wondered if I’d done something egregious – there is a lot of blame to go around, and plenty of it is put on an author. But realized that I’d done everything that had been asked of me: I wrote the book they wanted; I delivered what they asked. If it didn’t do well, I wasn’t going to blame myself. I was going to figure out how to do it differently the next time so that I wasn’t put in this position again. You know what I did? I went indie. I didn’t see myself as a failure when I’d lived up to expectations.
- Be realistic. I’ve gotten a lot of emails recently from aspiring writers about going indie. So I want to be clear here that while I think everyone should do what is best for him or herself, not everyone is going to have success with one specific track. Indie publishing is hard. It takes a lot of self-starting, a lot of research, a lot of rolling up your sleeves and digging in. It’s not for everyone. Please be realistic in what you and your personality and resources can accomplish. Just as not all traditionally published authors will see smashing success, neither will all indie authors. There are very few one-size fits all answers with a Plan A or a Plan B.
- Don’t rush into anything. It does feel like most of what authors do in their careers is…wait. We wait for agents to reply to us; we wait for editors to read our work; we wait for a book to come out a year after we completed it. So when a Plan A goes askew, there is an instinct to rush to Plan B. Because Plan B is…something, right? It’s at least getting the ball moving! But. Don’t. I mean, I get instant gratification as much as any writer, but instant gratification – say, throwing your book up on Amazon – is not what cultivates a successful Plan B. Research, examination, thought goes into a good Plan B. An immediate rush of accomplishment isn’t a long-term career plan. So think carefully, think strategically, think not just in terms of weeks but years. Then start putting together the pieces for what’s next.
Anyone else have to come up with his or her own Plan B? Weigh in!
Allison Winn Scotch is the bestselling author of six novels, including IN TWENTY YEARS, THE THEORY OF OPPOSITES, and TIME OF MY LIFE. Her seventh novel, BETWEEN ME AND YOU, will be released on January 9th, 2018. In addition to fiction, she pens celebrity profiles for a variety of magazines, which justifies her pop culture obsession and occasionally lends to awesome Facebook status updates. She lives in Los Angeles with her family. For more about her and her books, go to allisonwinn.com or follow her on Twitter at @aswinn.
Wonderful, sound counsel, Allison. Whether you are haggling for a car or a labor contract, the strongest weapon anyone has in a negotiation is the willingness to walk away. Takes guts but, if it ain’t there, it ain’t there. Move on.
Thanks so much for sharing your journey. It’s a great reminder to be flexible. I’ve had two mss fall through during acquisitions and it was heartbreaking to come so close and then not make it … I should dust them off, spit shine and send them off again, while I work on my other projects.
Walk away…Sound advice and obviously you took all the right turns, it’s a great, uplifting story, thanks for sharing.
But I believe there are more turns to take when you’ve started out the way you did, i.e. with traditional publishing. You always have open to you the ultimate solution: self-publishing, putting your publishing destiny in your own hands and that’s exhilarating.
Having published several books and acquired many fans as you have (I have no doubts about that!), I’m sure you’ll find the journey a very satisfying one.
Not so easy for those who went directly to self-publishing by-passing the traditional route. What do you do if your books don’t sell and you’re simply not “discovered” because you find yourself buried (quite literally!) under the tsunami of self-pubbed titles? I’m not sure I’ve got the answer to that one. Marketing helps but doesn’t solve everything. You also need a bit of luck. And that is something aspiring writers should seriously consider. A publisher can be a great big help in guiding an aspiring writer’s first steps…
Excellent post. From a Plan C gal to you, the expert at Plan B, thank you.
As much as I dislike #5, I sense the truth of it. I’m always trying to sort out my options. Besides being a writer, I’m a carpenter who prides himself on being well-organized with his tools and provisions. As a writer I have tools and provisions, and options. It’s just more difficult for me to keep them ordered for yielding the eventual best utility.
Even if I know the goal, the objective remains somewhat elusive. The uncertainty can be trying but, like anything that’s well exercised, my patience continues to be strengthened. Since patience has never been my strong suit, I realize it’s all part of my journey.
Thanks for sharing, Allison!
Because I started writing my first book in the age of self-publishing, my Plans A & B are more like parallel Tracks A & B, both lay in my mind and both stay as options throughout the writing, editing, tweeting, Youtubing, website building and blogging process. But that doesn’t mean they have peacefully co-existed or that they haven’t evolved while I learn more about the process from experienced writers like you and from insightful blogs like WU. For me, all plans must have a marketing plan, which allows you to walk away and market again to another traditional publisher, agent or go the non-traditional route. SO many choices, it can be overwhelming and confusing or it can be exhilarating and liberating. I have let it be both. Because it IS a choice, I can change my attitude and move on. Now I am settling into the freedom within the new age, and hope my new positive attitude lasts and lasts. Like yours! ~ Thanks for sharing your experience and I wish you the best of luck. You deserve it!
It’s so nice to hear about the trials a writer goes through; the truths. We talk a lot about big numbers, toss success around like mink coats, but seldom do we spill about our heartaches and setbacks, as if they make us sound weak.
Kudos, Allison. Not only for your willingness to dust yourself off after disappointment, but for sharing your trials with the rest of us.
I hear your roar!
Denise Willson
Author of A Keeper’s Truth, and GOT
Thank you for this honest and inspiring post, Allison. I can only imagine the courage it took to make those “left turns.” Kudos!
There is some real wisdom here. Thanks for such honesty, Allison. I like #3 and #4 the best. Writing takes such trust and courage, doesn’t it?!
This is a great post, Allison, and very helpful to me at this point. I’m sending out queries for my much-revised fifth novel and the “waiting” is so irritating – AGAIN. But I don’t want to make any rash decisions and I don’t think right now that I could go the self-publishing route. So I must sit back and wait and though I hate it, I know it’s for the best right now.
Thanks again.
Wow, what a story, Allison, you are one hard-shelled writer. My story is tame in comparison. I had a novel that all the agents in an agency liked but the owner passed so I quit trying to sell it. In the meantime, I wrote another novel (with John Grisham looking over my shoulder) but that didn’t sell so I wrote a book about writing with Grisham. That was picked up and published a couple weeks ago and then the publisher bought the novel that I wrote with John so after a drought of fifteen years, I have two books out and I’m self-publishing two rejects that I resurrected off floppies–so never say never.
Congratulations, Tony!
I like the way you’ve got it neatly categorized into plan A
and Plan B. I self-published all by myself knowing nothing about
the publishing industry. I have gone through many plans trying to
figure out what works for me. And doing most of it backwards it
seems. What the heck, I’ve learned a lot and I’m still
writing.
@Susan Spence Sometimes I think you have an advantage in not knowing much about the sausage-making when you publish. The industry is notorious for its heavy investment in “this is how it’s always been done” (and I say this as an indie author, an author who published with large and small presses, and someone who’s worked in the industry in other areas). Without the shackles of “this is how it’s always been done,” it is much easier for you to consider “Plan B’s” of new ideas, or ideas that have been off the table for so long merely because no one’s been willing to take the risk up to now.
As long as you’re learning, and writing, and *daring* — you’re good to go!
My Plan B’s are always, “get back on the horse and work on something else” or “what the heck, let’s try it and see what happens” because you just never know.
Thanks, Allison!
I like your realistic advice. Right now I’m preparing to query agents, so reading your post is timely. This will be the third manuscript I’ve sent out, and if I’ve learned anything it’s that you need to keep writing and keep growing. That’s what the journey’s all about and how you can always get better and give readers something to look forward to. What I enjoy about your post is how you lay out that no matter what step you get to, there’s always chances things can take a turn, but as a writer you keep moving forward. Very encouraging!
Thanks for the wonderful advice. I especially liked: “For example, if you’ve queried 100 agents and all have passed, consider that it might be time to write something new. There is zero shame in this.” I have known a few writers who cling so desperately to that first book, convinced that it will be a best-seller if only the editors and agents would wake up and realize that. LOL
Thank you all so much for your kind replies! I’m so glad that my Plan Bs might help you guys form your own.
Wow,Allison. You are one tough cookie and give me hope as I’m getting beat trying to find a new agent and my dream agent left the biz this fall. Best of luck. I’m curious, what’s been your biggest self-publishing lesson?
Hi Marcy,
Hmmm, good question. To be honest, I haven’t felt like I’ve made any HUGE mistakes (which isn’t to say that there haven’t been hiccups), but I did A LOT of research and spoke with a lot of different resources because I entered the fray. So maybe the biggest lesson is that indie publishing can be done very well, but to do it very well, you have to put in as much work (if not more) as in traditional publishing. I think it is VERY important to surround yourself with really smart people who are good at their jobs (like a jacket designer and publicist, in my case), from whom you can learn things. I had zero ego about my learning curve, and I have no doubt that this helped. I think you absolutely need to treat it as a BUSINESS, not just some work of art that you can “publish,” and that somehow makes you an “author.” KWIM?
Does that help?
Allison
Great, insightful information, Allison. Thanks so much for sharing and I wish you all the best on your new writing journey!
Timely advice, Allison. It’s always a good reminder for writers that if your book doesn’t sell, there are other options. And moving forwards and onwards is a lot more productive than dwelling on the “why didn’t it happen”. A few years ago, after a long round of submissions, rejections, and revolving door of editors, my children’s picture book was signed by Tricycle Press/Random House. A week after I signed my contract, RH closed the imprint, and my contract was cancelled. I allowed myself to wallow in sorrow for a month, then re-submitted the manuscript to my former editor at Charlesbridge Publishing who published my first book. Almost a year later, they offered me a contract and my book, GOLDY LUCK AND THE THREE PANDAS was just released in January just in time for Chinese New Year. Last year, I submitted a picture book manuscript to my agent. I had received really good feedback on it from my writer’s group, and other critique groups. Sadly, my agent told me that she didn’t think there was a market for that type of book at the moment as the theme was too familiar and too-often submitted. She told me to find a more unique angle. Back to the drawing board. I just submitted the re-envisioned version and she loves it! She’s now submitting it to publishers. It’s no use crying over spilled milk. Onwards and forwards!
Wish I could remember the book to attribute it too, but a long time ago I read a psychological principle which felt true to me: In general, people tend to either walk too soon in troubled relationships or stay too long, and if you know your own pattern, you can save yourself from a world of heartache. To these eyes, in the world of publishing, at least, you seem to have hit the Goldilocks balance.
If you can pardon a nosy question, Allison, I’d love to know what you attribute that self-knowledge to. Entrepreneurial parents? A kick-ass partner? A background in Zen?
It also seems that the same flexible strength you’ve exhibited in your bigger decisions would help when faced with the page. A character comes off a little too whiny and the book needs a major overhaul? Once you’re convinced, doesn’t seem like anything would hold you back.
Forgive the psychological probe! I’m in a thoughtful mood today.
Hi Jan,
Well, thank you for thinking that I have this smart insight into knowing when to walk away! I have to say, perhaps when it comes to my career, I have better foresight than with boyfriends in my 20s. :)
Anyway, gosh, good question. I think some of it certainly comes from how I was raised – hard work and independence were valued in my household, and some of it just comes from the way I was born. It’s why I am always quick to say that certain personalities fare better in this industry than others. I’m not particularly sensitive, and I have a very easy time compartmentalizing things…like, I find a way to put something negative completely out of my mind. For better or worse. (Not always for the better, but in this industry, yes, it’s an asset.)
Also, back to my first point about how I was raised, there was also an emphasis on not quitting. And definitely, that’s part of me too. I tend to exhaust my options before I throw in the towel. So the combination of that with, I guess, my personality…it’s given me the flexibility to bounce back.
Allison
Thank you for this wise advice. I’ve shared it on Google Plus.
Shopping my novella proved to be difficult. So when I found a publishing house I was thrilled. The editors I worked with helped me grow as an author. And I was proud of the book. My book was a thriller. They were a romance publisher–but accepted sub-genres. I wasn’t interested in writing romance–and still am not. It was a hard decision to make, but I decided to walk away. I’m currently working on Plan B.
Thanks for being honest, Allison. A lot of people think once you get to Big 5 publishing, everything is golden. I know a lot of authors who’ve struggled at that level, for all kinds of reasons. I can be a stressful place to be.
I don’t really had any Plan B anecdotes right now, but I wanted to add my voice to the many here thanking you for sharing these experiences and what you’ve learned from them. It’s such a great post, filled with hard-earned wisdom and encouraging reminders.
Thank you for sharing your experience and reminding us that no writer goes without challenges. I’ve always admired your writing and tenacity! What a great job you’ve done managing your career. (A note to the editors: Can you add Allison’s new book to her bio?)
Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us, Allison! You give really great advice! Good luck with THE THEORY OF OPPOSITES and your future books!
I don’t have a plan B, but I have a really complicated and extensive plan A. *smile*
Great article. YOu’ve gone through the mill many times over. Appreciate your tenacity and willingness to share it all with the rest of the writing world.
I am a firm believer in having a Plan B. (And sometimes even a C, D and E!)
I have been a self-employed writer for nearly 20 years, and relied on my Plan B (corporate writing) when my Plan A (magazine work) slowed down.
When my first book was published, I went full force into creating a platform for myself as an inspirational author but it never really felt right. Now I am doing my Plan B (which, looking back, was really my Plan A!) which is writing fiction, and am gearing up for the release of my first short fiction collection this summer.
Sometimes it feels like it takes forever, and sometimes you feel like all you are doing is changing your plans, but the important thing is to have a commitment to your goal, and then look at all those Plan Bs (and whatever other letters show up) just as detours, not as permanent itinerary changes. Unless, of course, that is really what you want!
What do you do when you quite literally “lose the plot” I
began a novel and had a plan but a new relationship distracted me
so much that the great idea about where I was taking it we utterly
lost. How do you recover from that?!! I’m so stuck!
Just wanted to say once again how much I’ve enjoyed your comments and reading about your own Plan Bs. Thanks, all, for sharing!
Allison: Once again, your honesty, down-to-earthness, and open-hearted (jeez–do you do yoga or something?! ;) sharing of advice is so awesome and appreciated! Seriously–thanks so much for another great post and lots of thought-provoking information!
Thank you for being so honest and willing to share your experiences. I’m sure this will give many writers hope and the willingness to keep going even though they have bad experiences. Thank you again. I know it gave me something to think about.
[…] Dealing with writerly setbacks and having a
Plan B. […]
I love Plan B’s!
You can only plan for what you know with plan A.
It’s plan B that slaps you in the face and tells you how your plan A sucked!
Great pst Allison!
[…] another post related to these. Scotch calls
it “Plan B: Or What to Do When Things Go Wrong.” It’s encouragement
and inspiration for writers, no matter where or how they’re
publishing. […]