June 9, 2009
Am I burned out on the marketing side of writing? Very possibly. In fact, it’s all I’ve done writing-wise since returning from the marketing workshop in mid-May. I’ve written multiple blurbs, query letters, and proposals, researched editors, sent out the materials, and provided follow-ups as needed. The only purely creative thing I’ve done was write an excerpt from a comic book script, which I loved. Today, for example, I sent out 18 queries with sample chapters and proposals…not counting several I sent to incorrect addresses or editors who’d moved elsewhere. That’s a lot of queries, let me tell you. Each one had to be carefully personalized and prepped for each individual editor.
And after a while, it can wear me down. I realized today that I’d had enough of that stuff for a while. Enough marketing. I can feel myself burning out on it. Getting impatient for responses that haven’t come. Getting frustrated and feeling hopeless. These are all understandable feelings, but they’re also illogical, purely emotion-based. Rationally, I know the editors I’ve sent to might take a while to get back to me. Just because I haven’t heard from them yet doesn’t mean they won’t consider my work and request full manuscripts. Publishing moves at a glacial pace, after all, as my mentor Dean has said. But the feelings are mounting anyway, and I know it’s time to step back. I’m losing perspective and need to look away from the materials I’ve sent out and the tracking spreadsheet that shows no one has gotten back to me yet. I need to focus my attention elsewhere, on something equally enthralling. On the actual writing.
So, soon, I plan to start up a new story. Move toward the next novel. Get back in the game. Maybe tomorrow, maybe the next day. Either way, no more marketing for a while! See you soon.
