I’m sitting in front of my typewriter, in my apartment in Denver. It’s 1994, and I’m embarking on my writing life. Working on an article, I fervently hope that an editor will accept it.
Things sure have changed for writers, haven’t they? Fast-forward seventeen years, and we’re seeing writers freely publishing on their own and others’ blogs, and writers of all genres succeeding at the game of self-publishing. As creators, we’ve never had more power and more access to our audience than we do now.
Taking risks for writing
Creating anything for others is asking them to take a risk on your work. Buying a book, spending precious time reading a blog, getting a ticket to a movie – they’re all risks we take. Minor risks, most of them, but with so many things vying for our time, energy and resources, we must be choosy with the risks we take.
If we want readership, our job as writers is to convince others to take a risk on our work. I’ve been writing Chasing Sylvia Beach since 1999, hoping against the odds that someday a publisher would take a risk and make my dream of being a novelist a reality.
After the requisite time in the trenches of my querying process, I can report that many, many agents and publishers have decided not to take a risk on my book.
I’ve revised Chasing Sylvia Beach four times since I first queried agents in 2007. I hired professional editors, enlisted bookish friends to read it, and worked with a writing partner to make this last version as good as it can be.
Chasing Sylvia Beach probably isn’t blockbuster material. It might never make the New York Times bestseller list.
But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the risk. My risk, your risk.
Take the risk with me
After weighing the risks inherent in self-publishing, I’ve decided to stop trying to convince publishers to take a risk on my book. Instead, I’m going to risk my own time, money and resources to make this book happen.
I’m going to engage my creative energy to speak directly to the people I think will love this book (hopefully that’s you!). I’ll be asking you to take a risk – to spend your precious time, money and energy on Chasing Sylvia Beach. In return, I promise a well written, engaging story that will make you feel, think, and act differently. (And give you a free trip to Paris, 1937!)
Everything converges on this point
Now I can publish a quality book from my laptop. I’m incredibly fortunate that timing is in my favor. Over the dozen years I’ve toiled away at this book, technology and the changing face of publishing as we know it has provided incredible opportunities for writers to share their work with very little risk.
All the work I’ve been doing for the last twelve years in Original Impulse leads me to this moment. I self-published my first e-book in 2003, and then printed it – Create Your Writer’s Life – as a paperback in 2004. I know how much work is involved in publishing and promoting a book.
I’m willing to take the risk. In exchange for that risk, I get total control over the way my book looks. I get to be as creative as I can with how I share it with my readers. I get to control my timeframe and interact directly with my readers.
This is a major project. Publishing Chasing Sylvia Beach means that I’m developing a whole new business, a sub-brand of Original Impulse. It’s going to take a lot of time, a fair amount of money, and a lot of courage. I’m scared, but I’m also incredibly excited.
Sylvia Beach was a risk taker
Sylvia Beach, the heroine of my novel, was a real woman who consistently took risks. She moved to Paris with no specific plan. She opened a bookshop – the first English language lending library in Paris. She took a huge risk by publishing James Joyce’s Ulysses – and that book is still considered one of the great masterpieces of Anglophone literature.
Without the risks Sylvia took, millions of writers and readers might not have connected with Ulysses and other books she loved sharing with her customers and Shakespeare and Company. Of course she didn’t know what the impact of her actions would be. But that’s the nature of risk, n’est-ce pas?
What risks have you taken lately for your art or writing? What won’t you risk for the sake of your art?
You’re such an inspiration. I will definitely purchase your book. Just let us know how to do it. As a life long freelancer who never studied to become something, everything has been a risk for me from retail management to talent agency to TV/film production to journalism/writing to public relations. My next step is photography and re-learning French. Your previous post about giving yourself 5 years before judging your writing made me think about my new venture into photography. Talk about fear of technology. I have an ‘eye’ and perhaps a niche to pursue, but I feel like there’s a veil in front of me with all the techie stuff to learn. I’ve signed up for a photog class in Sept and a French conversation class also. I knew I should take the French class when I noticed it in the adult school brochure and I got that fear in the stomach twinge. I knew I could/should do it because of the fear. I’m on this journey with you even if only electronically. If you ever get a chance to do a class in SoCal, please let us know. I’d schelp 2 hours on the freeway for ya!
Bobbi,
Thanks for your kind comments and support of my novel! I will be doing the ‘Big Ask’ – asking everyone to buy it – when it comes out next year!
Your comment about the fear in the creative process resonates with me. It reminds me of the ‘curve’ in learning – that things we want always seem a little out of our reach. But if learning is a value for you – and it sounds like it is – those hurdles are more surmountable than you think.
When I self-published Create Your Writer’s Life, the technological elements seemed enormous. It wasn’t as easy to get a product online then as it is now. I’ll never forget that; the challenges from that help me remember they’re in every process!
You’re smart to take classes, not only to get the instruction but to be around other people who are doing the same thing. Enjoy the process of re-learning French and picking up photography!
Back to school with you! 🙂
Cynthia,
I know how you feel about risk.
For the last year, I’ve been gathering my art together for an art exhibit (opens this Saturday!!!!). Starting this January, finally began an email newsletter. Had a pop-up exhibit in May. Then, from May through this Saturday, doing and learning everything I can imagine to promote the exhibit.
I am so scared. So scared that no one will attend. Scared that those who do attend will not like my art. Scared to the point that my fiance keeps reassuring me that I will NOT drown in a glass of water (Spanish/Cuban saying).
Many know that I am off to Paris, soon. When they ask if I’m packed yet, my answer is I’m still preparing for my exhibit and of course they are invited to the opening. Paris? Thank God I am joining you on the Curious Excursion!!! Do I have plans yet in Paris? Yes – to RELAX and work on my creative juju! 😉
I totally understand, Cynthia. When you get that book out her for us to read, I’ll buy it. I’m very curious to know about Sylvia Beach. Wish I could be more like her already.
To Bobbi: Only 2 hours from any of Cynthia’s classes & workshops? Lucky you!
To Angeline-Marie – Break a leg on your exhibit! Remember to breathe. As for being near Cynthia’s classes, I wish! I meant if she came to anywhere in the LA area, even though I live out in the boonies, I’d drive to her class. We need JuJu in LA! And public transportation too!!!
AM,
I am SO excited for you and your show!!! Congratulations! I wish I could be there but perhaps you’ll post photos somewhere for us to see it virtually.
The fear is normal and despite all the platitudes and advice I could give, I know it can be very consuming and scary. When I feel that, I try to talk myself down, reminding myself that I’m here to live a bold life and if I’m that scared, I am living up to my potential and doing a great job.
You will relax in Paris – it’s easy enough to do even with bopping around to museums, etc. Plus, with a month here, you’ll be able to relax at the beginning and not feel rushed.
See you very soon! Best of luck for your show. It will be AMAZING, I know it.
I have wanted to read Chasing Sylvia Beach for a LONG TIME so I am thrilled you have made this big decision. Do it – and enjoy it! As Jacqui Lofthouse once said to me, sometimes you have to take massive action! Will be following you every step of the way and am ready to buy!