EXIT STRATEGY - Ryan Potter

Last week I submitted the latest draft of a 78,000-word YA paranormal thriller to my wonderful agent. I love what I wrote, of course, but it's out of my hands for a while. As a rookie in the writing and publishing business (EXIT STRATEGY launches in about 6 months), I've spent the past few days thinking about what I've learned so far. I'm not even sure I'm qualified to write this, but at the moment it feels like the right thing to do.

Although the list that follows is geared primarily toward newly acquired authors and/or authors seeking representation, some other people might find it interesting as well. Or not.

THE TOP 5 THINGS I'VE LEARNED ABOUT PUBLISHING SO FAR

1. "Yes, you need an agent."

This is hardly breaking news, but I'm living proof that your chances of getting published and paid for your work are far better if you have a reputable literary agent. Yes, it takes time, luck, and talent to find the right agent (and you better have that polished manuscript ready), but if you're willing to do the legwork and you have an interesting, well-written story, your agent is out there somewhere. A famous author once said that if you know how to write, the agents will come to you, but to me that's antiquated thinking. Even the "overnight successes" in this business have usually paid their dues to earn that misleading label.

2. "Your agent is always right."

If you're an unpublished author lucky enough to have landed a good agent, you are in no position to question said agent. Agents know how the publishing business works. It's their job to know. Chances are you, as a newcomer to the business side of writing, know very little or nothing at all about how publishing works. Listen to your agent. Do what he/she asks. Agents know what sells and what doesn't. When your agent requests revisions on something you think is perfect, guess what? It's not perfect.

I landed my original agent in early 2006. It took her more than two years to sell my debut novel, but she never gave up on me. During those two years, I lost count of how many manuscript changes she requested. Some were major overhauls, others minor tweaks, but I never complained. Why? Because every revision made the book better. 

3. "Yup, your editor is always right, too."

Go back and re-read the first paragraph of #2 above, replacing the word "agent" with "editor" each time you come across it. Seriously. It holds.

4. "It's a team effort, not an individual one."

Contrary to popular belief, writing is not a lonely business. Relationships are everywhere. Yes, you devote countless hours to your manuscript, and you probably do so alone or at least in a fairly quiet environment. However, the further you progress in this business, the more relationships you build. From agent to editor to cover designer to publicist to reviewers to bookstore managers...I could go on but you get the idea.

Personally, I'm not even at the publicity stage yet, but my point is that I'm fully aware of and appreciate all of the efforts so many people have already made to make EXIT STRATEGY the best book it can be. The author who plays as an active team member from novel conception to publication is far better off than the author who fancies him/herself as an all-knowing and inflexible recluse.

5. "Enjoy the ride and learn as much as you can."

Look, I have no idea how successful EXIT STRATEGY will be in terms of sales, but I'm not obsessing over it. Still, I do make a point of learning something new about publishing every day. As a soon-to-be-published first-time author, this is an amazing time for me, and I'm not taking it for granted.

Remember that YA paranormal thriller draft I mentioned earlier? I have no idea if my agent will like it. Even if she does, I have no idea if it will sell. I can't predict the future, but I can do things to prepare for it. In other words, as an author, the more you learn about the business side of writing and publishing, the more prepared you'll be down the road.

RP