On Writing : What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about the publishing industry that you wish you knew sooner? by Leonardo Ramirez 2

Glad you and publisher got the files ready in time, Leonardo Ramirez 2. When do you think a writer should check with a publisher to make sure everything's ready for a deadline? A few weeks before the deadline?

Thanks Maurice Vaughan. I think it should be part of the conversation at the onset. In the plus column of this incident, I never expressed dismay or disappointment with the publisher. Instead, I asked where I could help. That's where I started to learn the ins and outs of how comics are published. But if you go in as if you're not above helping where you can, I think that is more appealing to a publisher than not. It also fends off any potential hurdles.

You're welcome, Leonardo Ramirez 2. Great points! I've never worked with a publisher on a book, but I like to figure out everything with a producer, director, co-writer, etc. for upfront. It keeps a lot of problems from happening. Thanks for the insight.

I think you would do really well with a publisher Maurice Vaughan. If you keep the same mindset you have with productions and switch it to publishing (learning all you can) it would go great.

Thanks, Leonardo Ramirez 2. I've been thinking about writing short stories again and writing a novella. Who knows? I might be working with a publisher one day.

I have no doubt they'd be happy they worked with you Maurice Vaughan.

Thanks, Leonardo Ramirez 2. I appreciate it.

Maurice Vaughan You are very welcome my friend.

Good question, Leonardo Ramirez 2. There are so many red flags in publishing. A tip that I think is useful for any writer is to read books from the publisher they're submitting their work: very often, people choose a publisher because it seems reachable, without knowing almost anything about it. It can lead to bad discoveries later. For example, if you can't find their books in any library and librarians don't know them, it's a red flag. I'm not sure how it works in the US, but in Italy, some publishers are print houses: you pay to be published, because newcomers think it's normal. Well, it's not.

Those are fantastic tips Chiara Torrisi and great advice. This particular publisher wasn't a print house but I honestly didn't think to check to see if any local libraries knew who they were and only one comic shop knew of them.

Biggest...wow, I guess how to talk about your book in way that makes sense to other people and how to adapt that to difference audiences was the biggest skill. But publishing in general I think the most important thing I've learned is that the publisher is the most important part of deciding whether or not a book is going to be successful. So authors, especially those with big five trad pub should recognize that they don't need to put so much pressure on themselves.

You're right Jaye Viner - talking about your story in a way that makes sense to others is a skill that we have to learn and do well. It goes without saying that we forget to share important details because we're so close to the story and it's so much a part of us.

You need to build the audience before you can get published. I always thought a good book gets recognized by a publisher, gets marketed and printed, then the audience finds that book. Not today. Today, you need 50k Instagram followers and a strong TikTok presence to promote your writing BEFORE the publisher will risk signing you. Unless you can prove you'll sell 10k units out the door, it's too big of a financial gamble for the publisher.

Sorry if that's depressing.

It's great advice Anthony Cloutier! Thanks for sharing!

That with how saturated the market is, it's better to save the money and develop your writing into something tangible yourself, build your brand, attract your audience, then go from there..

More often than not most publishers and agents want to ride on the success you've already created rather than build a foundation with you, regardless of if your story is captivating.

There’s a lot of truth in what you’re saying Nathan Grimm.

Leonardo Ramirez 2 I’m always grateful when you open the door for these real-world lessons, it’s so helpful to hear the behind-the-scenes of what happens after “The End.” I’m soaking in all the shared wisdom!

Thanks Ashley Renee Smith! Thanks for commenting from Cannes! Hope you're having a blast and all is going well.

Don't set a launch date until you are 12 weeks from it and have your confirmed print run in your hand! My first book I set the launch date a year in advance. I was still waiting for the delivery of the print run 4 days before the launch. Stressed beyond belief, doesn't come close. I should have called the novel, Heart Attack Central.

Oh Carol M. Salter - that hurts to hear. I’m so sorry you went through that. I can’t imagine how tough that was. Thanks so much for sharing this with us and hopefully helping others to avoid the same stress.

I haven't yet reached the courage to publish, but I’ve started here by observing those who came before me—hoping it will help me take my first step.

So i do not have idea

Hope you will take that first step Maha Alsaadi. Enjoy the journey!

Hi Leonardo Ramirez 2 Thank you for your insight, though I've never published a novel/any written work, I've mostly been interested in how most published authors work with every after they go to print. I imagine most independent writers would go independent and just try to sell to bookstores.

However, this kind of information can be made helpful for other authors and other writers as well.

Thanks so much Sam Rivera. There are so many variables that allow everyone’s experience to be even a little different.

Write and publish more books faster.

The importance of registering a copyright through the U.S. Copyright Office should be the Number One comment here.

I should never have wasted ten years of my life sending my novels to publishers. I'm not famous, or a celebrity. I could have saved myself the 176 rejection letters, mountains of heartache and dark moments of giving up.

Instead, I could have spent those ten years indie publishing earlier. Published my never-ending list of manuscripts which still sit in my computer and have more than eight fans.

Sorry I meant Literary Agents and publishers. When I started out there were less Agents.

Ah, okay then. I'll withdraw my comment.

...to write a Great Script; a storyteller must first write a great story and second rewrite it "Cinematically" as a screenwriter just for Hollywood...