What I’ve Learned as An Author the Second Time Around
By Nancy Johnson | May 28, 2024 |
Getting a book-length manuscript to the finish line, polishing it, and launching it into the world require a single-minded focus–and a community of writers like this one to believe for us when the publishing journey gets rough. As a first-time author, I didn’t know what to expect. For a long time, no one was waiting for The Kindest Lie, so I had many years to stop and start, to play, and to delight in the fairy dust that is sometimes (if you’re lucky) sprinkled over a shiny debut. Then I signed a contract with William Morrow/HarperCollins for a second book, People of Means, which releases in February 2025. Anxiety took over, and I wondered if I could do it again. The second time around as an author isn’t easier, but I’m wiser and better prepared.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
You never master the craft. The book isn’t ready when you think it is.
After at least three years of writing workshops and several drafts of my first novel, I thought it was in good shape to send to agents in my quest for representation. Not so much. Following close to 100 rejections, I took a step back for a year-and-a-half and workshopped excerpts of my book at the Tin House Summer Novel Workshop and Kimbilio Fiction for African American writers. Then I engaged five writer friends to beta read for me. Only then did I get two offers of representation and choose the wonderful Danielle Bukowski of Sterling Lord Literistic. Subsequently, my fabulous William Morrow editor, Liz Stein, took my manuscript through three grueling rounds of edits.
When I began writing my second novel, I felt pretty confident that I knew what I was doing since I had done it once. Wrong! After sending early pages to Liz, I learned that the book needed a lot of work: structure, character development, relationships, motivations, and more. Under contract with a tight deadline, I didn’t have time to solicit beta readers or workshop the book. With Liz asking me lots of probing questions and helping me dig deeper, I revised multiple times until finally the book on the page came close to matching the vision in my head.
Life doesn’t pause for the publication of a novel. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.
I have a demanding day job leading corporate and internal communications for a large health care organization. Early in my writing days of my second novel, I got promoted to a director role and began leading a small team. The day job supports my writing habit, so no complaints there. But suddenly, I had more responsibilities, which made my writing time even more precious.
Soon after, my mother began to repeat the same stories and mail greeting cards more than once for the same occasion. A neurologist diagnosed her with Alzheimer’s, and I took on the role of caregiver. With a deadline for book two looming, I sold my mother’s house and moved her into a senior living community and helped her navigate this monumental life change. I desperately wanted to do it all, but I couldn’t. As a former journalist, I’m a stickler for deadlines but I knew I couldn’t meet this one. With great trepidation, I asked my agent what to do. She encouraged me to tell Liz what was going on, assuring me that she would understand. Liz was as compassionate as ever, and she granted me an extension. I lamented the idea of delaying the publication of the book by at least two years, but I needed that time to take care of my family and make the book the best it could be.
Publishing can be nebulous. Keep learning the business.
Going through this the first time was like walking in the dark feeling for walls to anchor me. It was also a blissfully happy time because my dream of being a published author was coming true. Still, there was so much to learn, and I’m still figuring it out. What I do know is that your passion for a project can ignite a spark in your editorial, publicity, and marketing teams. My excitement is contagious, and it’s important for my publisher to see me active in social media, speaking in my community, growing my readership, and sparking meaningful conversations about race and class.
Initially, I regretted being out of the marketplace for several years. Until one of my early blurbers wrote, “The wait for Nancy Johnson’s next novel is over!” No one had forgotten me. Readers and book influencers were still riding hard for me. I’ve discovered through the experiences of author friends that publishing too many books in close succession can be challenging if your publicity and marketing teams don’t have the necessary runway to promote your work. Of course, this can be dependent upon genre but it’s good to know there is a silver lining for those of us who aren’t publishing a book or more a year. Also, I’ve learned that the celebrity book clubs (hello, Jenna, Reese, GMA, and Oprah!) are reading submissions ten months to a year in advance of publication. Yikes!
Publishing is a long game. As a career author, I’m hopeful that my second novel will likely boost my backlist. I know that while TikTok is the shiny new thing, I need to focus my efforts where I’m most energized—right now, that’s Instagram. Publishers are still trying to figure out how to maximize the allure of TikTok, and I’m observing content being produced and watching trends, but my priority remains writing the best books I can and nurturing my audience.
Good literary citizenship never go out of style. The book community still has your back.
Three years after the release of the hardcover edition of my debut, I still get invited to speak at book clubs, conferences, and panel discussions. It’s an absolute honor every time. I suggest saying yes when you can. Blurb other authors’ books. Boost them in your socials. There’s no substitute for making genuine connections. When I reached out to authors and influencers to blurb People of Means, everyone responded enthusiastically right away. They remember how I showed up for their events, soaked up their wisdom, helped stock shelves in their bookstores, and contributed as a member of the community.
Talking with people in this space, I understand you can ride waves of success in this business and then languish in the valleys on subsequent books. That’s not an easy lesson, but it’s a real one. A bestselling author one year can be struggling to get a new contract the next. The second time around, I’ve leaned to be humble, to be grateful, to expect the unexpected, and to give generously to this community that has been so good to me.
What lessons have you learned, authors-in-progress? How have you learned them? Let’s trade some wisdom in comments today.
A native of Chicago’s South Side, Nancy Johnson (she/her) worked for more than a decade as an Emmy-nominated, award-winning television journalist at CBS and ABC affiliates in markets nationwide. Her debut novel, The Kindest Lie, was a Target Book Club Pick. It has been reviewed by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times, and was featured in Real Simple magazine and on Entertainment Weekly’s Must List. It was a New York Times Editors’ Choice selection and was named one of the most anticipated books by Newsweek, O, the Oprah Magazine, Shondaland, NBC News, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Chicago Tribune, The New YorkPost, Good Housekeeping, Parade, Refinery29, and more. Booksellers nationwide selected her novel as an Indie Next pick and librarians chose it for LibraryReads. A graduate of Northwestern University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Nancy lives in downtown Chicago and her second novel, People of Means, will be published by William Morrow/HarperCollins in early 2025.
Find out more about Nancy, her books and events on her website.
Nancy, I loved The Kindest Lie! (As I think you know, I use it in presentations as a strong example of various craft elements.)
And I love this post, first of all for you taking the time you need with your second book and your writing career in general, balancing it with other responsibilities and values. That’s a core skill every author has to develop. But I also love how you illustrate the ups and downs of this career, and that building one is a long game. You make such good points and whatever author should consider and know for themselves to create the career they want. I’ll share your good advice and insight in my newsletter for authors!
Tiffany! Thank you again for using The Kindest Lie in your craft talks. I’m grateful and honored. Please share away in your author newsletter. I’m still figuring it out but I’m definitely playing the long game. I appreciate you!
Hi Nancy, love that Tiffany will share some of your journey in her newsletter. WE ALL HAVE ONE…a journey, that is. We all have dreams that we apply to our work. And I guess, THE WORK is the gift. It is engaging and powerful. It provides a goal and lights up ambition. Please know I’ll be a first reader when PEOPLE OF MEANS appears. Also, thinking of your mother, as I have been there. It is not an easy journey. Hugs, Beth
Beth, thank you so much thinking of my mother and me. It’s a long goodbye, but I’m cherishing every moment and memory with her.
You’re so right about the author journey. It’s the love of the work that fuels us. I know I couldn’t make the necessary sacrifices if I didn’t absolutely love it and see the real-word impact that my books have on readers. Thanks again, and I’m looking forward to seeing your work published soon!
This was a wonderful post, and so full of the truths of getting published. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Liza, thank you for reading. I’m glad my journey resonated with you. Happy writing!
Nancy, you’ve gone through so many changes–new role at work, taking care of your mother–and through it all writing another book! Your love for people (always first) shines through. The story waited patiently. I’m learning these lessons too. God bless you!
Vijaya, I shared some of those personal life changes because life comes at each of us in unexpected ways. We wonder how we can juggle everything and keep our author careers afloat. Yes, you’re right that my story waited patiently for me. Such a blessing indeed! All the best to you!
Every book is a lesson in perseverance and adaptation, isn’t it? Like life. I’ve come to believe that every story (and even every medium, as I struggle my way through both a would-be novel and a would-be screenplay) has something to teach us. We can never master the craft, agreed, though — hopefully — we come to approach masterery of a single work over many, many hours of growth and insight.
It’s so great to see you here again, Nancy! Wishing you and People of Means every good thing.
Therese, thank you for this platform to share our experiences and lift each other. I like what you said about mastery of a single work as we grow and gain new insights. Sometimes it’s hard to see that growth when you’re in the thick of it but I do believe we improve our craft the more we practice it.
I’m excited for your novel and screenplay. No rush. Let them marinate. We’ll always be here waiting!
Dear Nancy,
Thank you for this! I am getting my first novel published in Spring 2025, and your post rang true in every way. Thank you for sharing your empathy and honesty here. Both are invaluable! And I LOVE the cover of The Kindest Lie. I just purchased a copy. I also noticed that you and I attended the same college for undergrad. I knew I liked you!
Happy juggling to you. Writing + Working full time + Caring for aging parents + Staying sane is nearly impossible … and look at you, doing the nearly impossible!
Sincerely,
Sarah
Sarah, first of all, thank you for buying The Kindest Lie! I really appreciate the support. We’re all juggling, aren’t we, trying not drop any of the balls? I’m excited to read your debut next year! Here’s to publishing in 2025!
Let’s stay connected. :)
Hi, Nancy. So much wisdom here. I especially liked, “the book isn’t ready when you think it is.” It often takes an astute reader to see the flaws we cannot see in our stories. That’s why beta readers are so important. This post also drives home the point it never gets easier for published writers. You overcame serious professional and personal obstacles to get your second book published and you deserve credit for asking for more time. I’m a huge fan of your first book, The Kindest Lie, and I can’t wait for the next one. Thank you for sharing these insights. Congratulations and best wishes for the success of your new novel.
Chris, great “seeing” you here! I know you’re well aware of how life’s obstacles can show up unexpectedly. Navigating those difficult moments while also creating a body of work can be tough.
You’re exactly right about astute readers seeing the flaws in our work when we can’t. That’s what I love about writing workshops. Critiquing the manuscripts of my fellow students is where I grow the most. I can see in their stories what I fail to see in mine.
Hope you enjoy People of Means! Best of luck with your writing, too!
Yep: peaks and valleys and peaks and valleys––both in the writing process and in the writing career, as you so ably describe here. I applaud your wisdom as well as your perseverance. xx
Therese, hello! Your keynote speech at the UnCon really hit on those peaks and valleys. I was nodding the whole time. It’s somehow therapeutic to know that someone with your talent and success experiences so much of the same. Thanks for always being so open about your journey. :)
Nancy, thank you for keeping it real for those of us on the outside looking in! I especially appreciate your breakdown of all the steps it took to get your first manuscript into publication-ready shape and I look forward to the launch of People of Means!
Kristin, I’m glad my post resonated with you. I was hoping there would be some nuggets for writers at various stages on the road to publication. I always say the most important step is to make the book the very best it can be. Take it as far as you can before engaging with agents and publishers. Good luck!
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Nancy!! For debut authors like me, it’s good to know what to expect the second time around. I thought writing a second novel would be easier than a first, but I’m finding the opposite is true — perhaps because my expectations are a lot higher for what that first draft should look like. Anyhow, I admire your perseverance despite all the challenges you’ve faced, and I can’t wait to read People of Means!!
Hadley, I’m so excited for your debut! Loved it! I think we learn the more we practice our craft but somehow staring at that blank page and trying to create again is never easier. You’re right that expectations are higher: our own and that of our publishing teams who want to see us surpass the success of the first book.
Hope you enjoy People of Means! :)
Such a great post, Nancy. Thank you. Your journey is different from every other author, but there are still resonant similarities. Don’t be overconfident; you haven’t mastered this yet! But don’t doubt yourself too much either, or it will paralyze you. Depend on others; this is essentially a kind community who want other authors to do well. And very happy that your fan base was waiting for the next book. Best of luck with it all!
You perfectly captured the essence of what I was trying to say, Deborah. So, thank you. It’s fascinating that each of our journeys is unique, yet we can all relate to certain aspects of writing and publishing. That’s why communities like this one are essential. We can cheer each other on and lift one another up when necessary. Thanks!