When I read Vicki Atkinson’s post last Sunday on how she took a writing class from author Libby Fischer Hellmann, I practically leapt from my chair. Libby? I knew Libby from the late 1990s onward when our children were in the same schools together.
And even more than that, I had been in the middle of a working manuscript in 2004 where I was tracking one year of living with a “new” teen; my 13-year-old son, and everything that goes with that. I had really wanted to meet with Libby to discuss the world of publishing. Since my “journaling” and goal to talk with Libby happened simultaneously, our encounter actually ended up in that writing.
The synchronicity of Vicki and Libby and my own past inspired me to share that old story. I should preface that some of the information Libby offered may no longer be relevant since it’s been 21 years(!) Additionally, I didn’t record our discussion (which I often did for accuracy as a reporter) so the conversation is paraphrased–but close.
2004
I understand my son will enter high school in the fall, and so his journey has inadvertently triggered my own. What do I want to do with the rest of my life? I’m enjoying writing so much, but is it bookworthy? Can I meet its demands?
I decided to schedule a lunch with a fellow mom I know who has successfully published two murder mysteries. She is releasing her third next month. I figured since she is a writer, she could certainly offer tips on the writer’s life. Her name is Libby Fischer Hellmann.
We landed at the Red Star Tavern, a local trendy burger and rib joint. We had barely placed our orders of a grilled chicken salad and a prime rib sandwich respectively, when I immediately asked,
“How did you do it? How did you find a publisher? Is it harder to publish fiction than non-fiction? Or is it the other way around? Are you going to keep writing?”
“Whoa,” she laughed, “let me tell you what I did. Writing is not an easy mistress,” she confided.
“You write for months and look at the draft and realize that some parts aren’t working. So, you go back and edit and edit even more, and usually it improves…” She took a sip of her wine.
“This is how I approached it. When I reached the stage where I had done everything I could, I found a professional editor who read the manuscript and offered suggestions. She cost a fortune,” Libby added with a smile, “but she was worth it.”
“Then,” she continued, “you have to get busy selling the idea to a publisher. You can do that in two ways. One, you can contact them directly. There’s a book with hundreds of names of publishing companies. Some are large, and it’s going to be difficult to get noticed. But there are also a lot of boutique publishers who specialize in certain genres. You might get lucky there.”
Our food arrived.
“Another thing to consider” she resumed, “is with fiction you have to have the book done, they need to see the complete story, to see if it holds up, but with non-fiction, you can write a proposal with maybe a small writing sample, and get them to bite.”
She takes a mouthful of hearty prime rib, while I look regretfully at my salad.
“The other way to go is to find an agent. They have contacts in publishing and understand contract details new writers are not familiar with. That same book I mentioned has a ton of agents listed.”
“But here’s the deal, Melanie” and I’m not sure what is coming next, but I begin to regret not getting a glass of wine myself.
Libby leaned in. “I don’t know how many people know this, but even if you get through all of those hurdles, this is when the long road begins where there is a ton of self-marketing involved. You have to take an active part in helping the sale of your book. Not a lot of new writers know this when they start. In the end, a lot of it is simply up to you to make it happen. And I can tell you,” she emphasizes, “it is really a lot of work.”
As I’m listening, I realize with my inexperience and limited marketing knowledge, it could be years before my “life with a teen” manuscript or any other book I write would actually hit the bookstores. It is a career for the Super Dedicated. I’m not so scared off by the amount of work that is involved, but is there something inside of me which other people would even want to hear or connect with? And do I have a strong enough “voice” to get it across?
I thank her profusely for all her tips and make a silent vow to get it in gear and try harder to write more, to write anything. Writers write. I make a mental note to buy the book at Borders on the way home.
“Excuse me, George”, I wave to our very young, curly-haired waiter.
“I’ve changed my mind. I want what she has,” pointing to the chardonnay, and possibly, to her success as a writer.
Epilogue:
I took all of her information with me, but the thing I thought most about was that she was living proof of what was possible. A woman, sitting across from me, living in the same area, a mom, a little older than me; did it. She was a published author; three times! Now, Libby Fischer Hellmann has written 18 thrillers. I am in absolute awe.
Click HERE for her site.
And I want to share that Vicki’s post gets into greater detail about fiction writing, and offers great insight into building tension and “allow a problem to fester on the page, open-ended and without conclusion.” Check it out:
https://wordpress.com/reader/feeds/132539936/posts/5695305237
And for me, life handed me a rewarding job with Legacy.com for almost nine years, so I put my writing on hold. I have no regrets about that.
I am currently in an excellent place in writing my memoir; it almost seems like it has taken on a life of its own. I take that as a good sign. And speaking of signs, my past writing world intersecting with my current one feels a tad Twilight Zoneish. But it’s a strong sign that I’m right where I’m supposed to be. Thanks, Vicki.
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