What Changes and Remains With a Publishing Contract

Getting a publishing contract is an exciting, strange, and terrifying thing.

You spend a long time before thinking it won’t happen. Then one day, it does.

Since Bloodhound Books offered me a contract, writery world has been full-on. It’s both an ever-changing and routine landscape.

Read on and learn or relate.

What Has Changed Since My Publishing Contract

• People call me an author now rather than a writer. Personally I don’t see a significant difference. Both write. Both produce books.

• My book now has a definite home.
• My crime mystery book, Hidden, will be published on 27th August 2019. There was a point before the contract when I wondered if it would ever be published. Having an actual release date is incredibly exciting and also gut-churning.
• I no longer have to go through the torturous process of submitting to agents and publishing houses. 
• On 27th August I will be hiding under the duvet and asking the husband to only read the good reviews. I will then be a masochist and read the bad ones. No other 27th August will ever be like this, unless a future book is published on this date.
• My book is no longer a vague concept. It has a cover, blurb, and a release date. Yikes!
  I have a team behind me. I no longer work in isolation. As an introvert this is an odd change but a welcome one.
• I have stepped up the writing quite a few notches. Before I was only answerable to myself. She’s a great boss who would let me slack off for hours watching box sets and having a cheeky nap. Now I can’t do that. Oh okay, sometimes.
• I’m learning how to edit properly rather than my own little system. Send chocolate. Soon.
• People ask more about my book. Before it was the thing we didn’t discuss. I’m sure many people thought I was lying.
• People I thought would be interested and/or supportive aren’t. I’m not upset. Since I started writing I’ve learned some people, even those you think are friends, aren’t interested. That’s fine. They’re obviously not my people.
• I respect self-published authors even more. Just doing what I have to do is tiring enough. Knowing others have to do EVERYTHING has me in complete awe.
• People I don’t know say they’ll buy my book. Whether they do or not remains to be seen. I’ve taken names and I’ll be checking!
• My mum will never know I got a publishing contract. This really hurts because I think she would have been so proud.
• Everyone and their dog wants a signed copy of my novel.
• It’s an absolute buzz when people ask what my job is I can say it’s a writer AND add that I have a book being published.
• I give my husband advance notice of edits and revisions so he knows when to hide.

What Has Stayed the Same Since My Publishing Contract

• I’m still blogging and will continue to do so.
• I’m still Lisa Sell with all her idiosyncrasies.
• The cats couldn’t care less.
• My husband continues to be amazingly supportive.
• My best friend is still my number one cheerleader.
• Close family and friends who I knew I could rely on continue to be fabulous people.
• Chocolate, cheese, and coffee are life. I may need more though.
• I still have to do the housework, ironing, washing etc. My life hasn’t suddenly become glamorous and chore-free. If anyone would like to volunteer to be an unpaid maid, I’ll give you a signed copy of my book.
• I still doubt my ability to write sometimes.
• My self-esteem still takes a few hits every now and again.
• My beta readers are absolute flipping marvels. They gave really helpful feedback on Hidden and now they’re helping with the next novel. I couldn’t do this without them.
• I still have to market and promote myself and the book. Some people have the misconception that the publisher does all this. Not so. My publisher’s publicity manager is brilliant. She does a lot of work to get our books noticed. There’s only so much one person can do though. Writers still have to do their part.
• I still read ‘How to’ articles. I’m always learning and I’m a master in the art of bluffing and blagging.
• I run regularly because if I don’t, I will be a right royal pain in the arse.

Over to You

• Have you got a publishing contract? What stayed the same or changed for you?
• Have you self-published? What stayed the same or changed for you?