I love this list!! And I'm so with you on how important putting out quality newsletter content has been for me this year, and the last few months in particular. The social media algorithms mess with your brain so quickly. Substack writing has felt like a moment of stillness and inhaling.
It reminds me of old-school blogging, in a really good way. I think because we have to take time to write it, and then people have to take time to read it, we engage with it at a slower clip. It's not as reactionary. And I'm really enjoying that aspect of it.
Your newsletter has been such a blessing to my inbox for many years (and I love the new Substack versatility). Seeing your list inspires me to create one of my own and try to find the glimmers amid the many big picture disappointments.
Thank you! And yes, make that list!! It's such a worthwhile task. I'm always shocked at how much I've accomplished. For some reason the disappointments and/or "failures" stick out in our minds and all the accomplishments fade into a blur unless we reflect on them.
As for questions, I would love to see a series on (self-driven/pre-agent) revisions -- maybe similar to your super helpful querying series. Tips for making characters more ACTIVE when for various reasons (controlling parents, chronic illness, etc) they don’t have a lot of agency.
Delight sounds like such a good word to keep close <3 Wishing you tons of delight for the holiday season and the new year. I'll dream big for and right alongside with you, too.
Thank you for always being so candid with your readers, Erin! I've just started my own author newsletter and I have a newfound appreciation for how much time and effort you put into your newsletter. I wish you much DELIGHT in the coming year! On another note, and I ask this respectfully, have you ever considered self-publishing? You have so much to offer and it seems like some of your disappointments have been due to things outside your control.
Thanks for the kind words, CG! It really is a time-intensive labor of love to maintain this newsletter. 😅
I have indeed considered indie. What's held me back for so long is that I write for children and teens, and those books are a lot trickier in the indie space. The readers don't have credit cards and/or the means to easily buy books. I also want/need to be in schools and libraries to reach these readers, and that's very hard to do at a nation-wide level as an indie author. That said, I have some projects that never sold to trad publishers that I've been seriously considering self-publishing at this point, because, what do I have to lose?
I totally get it. I will soon be in the children's space with my debut novel. I decided to self-pub after two years of querying agents and over 50 (nicely worded) rejections. LOL I bought Karen Inglis's book How to Self-Publish and Market a Children's Book. I realize that it's going to be a slow process to build a following, but I'm in it for the long haul. And yes! You have nothing to lose, so publish those rejected projects!! Best of luck~ Cari
Dec 12, 2023·edited Dec 12, 2023Liked by Erin Bowman
Thank you for sharing, Erin! I agree that it's so important to look at what we did do, even if it doesn't look like what we thought at the surface. You clearly did a lot of great things that, I imagine, support your writing in wonderful ways!
I choose themes as well, and for 2024 I chose "share" because I'd like to share more of my writing with readers, while also continuing my usual focus of editing my book IN YOUR DREAMS. Similar to your theme, this theme is driven by the joy of writing, which is something I really felt this year--that return to the focus on the JOY! and not just on the "GET THIS DONE" part.
I'm excited about my writing and excited for you. Your newsletters are amazing and I always appreciate SO much that you write them and share them with us. Here's wishing you and your writing and your family well and happy holidays!
I’d love to hear more about your decision to leave your agent and query a new one, especially after being with your agent since the beginning of your career. So many authors leave their agents, but few talk about the process (understandably). I’m also super interested to know if you’d ever consider indie publishing. I previously thought I never wanted to indie publish (“it’s too much work, I don’t write popular indie genres,” etc.), but now I indie publish and I adore it. Just curious if it’s something you’re considering at this stage. Happy holidays!
I will definitely consider indie publishing! What's held me back so long is that I write mainly for children and teens (ages 8-18) and that audience is notoriously tricky in the indie space. School and library distribution is key, and that's something that trad publishing still offers me. That said, I have some projects that didn't find homes in the trad world that I am now considering releasing on my own. We'll see what the new year brings.
re: Agent switching mid-career... You're right that many authors don't talk about it because when they're in the thick of it, it feels like a very personal business decision, not something we want to draw attention to. I may talk about it more in the future, but I don't feel ready to just yet. Dahlia Adler has some good posts on it though, and you might enjoy her insights:
Hi, Erin. I just joined Substack, and you are one of the first/few publications I subscribe to. Everything of yours I've read so far as really resonated with me - I joined Substack because I'm trying to focus more on connecting with people (not on sales) and finding/celebrating the joy in writing, and doing things because I want to and not because I think I should. So, here's to a 2024 filled with delight! ~Brie
Thanks for the follow, and welcome to SS! I've really enjoyed my time here so far. Feels like old school blogging in how it lets me connect with readers and writers. Happy new year to you!
I loved this! I do have one question - a topic I rarely see in any newsletters from authors is how to structurally/developmentally edit or revise your novel. I'm about to finish a first draft and I'm staring down editing my second draft and I have no idea where to start.
I might revisit this topic in the new year too! It's always good for me to refresh old posts, especially if it's relevant to my subscribers. Thanks for the suggestion!
I compleeeeeetely relate! When I used to use Instagram often, I noticed many posts talking about writing and filled with encouragement to help authors finish their manuscripts, and not a lot about editing. I’ve been editing one of my books for more than a decade (I know, a while! But the story is growing) and in the past year I’ve noticed more workshops and books about revising. I’ll share two resources here in case they help.
You know I don’t usually choose a word, but I’ve found lately I keep telling friends they deserve peace, I keep wanting that for myself, and...I guess if I were choosing a word for 2024, that would be it.
I really like delight, too. To feel that in the work... that’s the actual dream.
I love this list!! And I'm so with you on how important putting out quality newsletter content has been for me this year, and the last few months in particular. The social media algorithms mess with your brain so quickly. Substack writing has felt like a moment of stillness and inhaling.
It reminds me of old-school blogging, in a really good way. I think because we have to take time to write it, and then people have to take time to read it, we engage with it at a slower clip. It's not as reactionary. And I'm really enjoying that aspect of it.
Your newsletter has been such a blessing to my inbox for many years (and I love the new Substack versatility). Seeing your list inspires me to create one of my own and try to find the glimmers amid the many big picture disappointments.
Thank you! And yes, make that list!! It's such a worthwhile task. I'm always shocked at how much I've accomplished. For some reason the disappointments and/or "failures" stick out in our minds and all the accomplishments fade into a blur unless we reflect on them.
As for questions, I would love to see a series on (self-driven/pre-agent) revisions -- maybe similar to your super helpful querying series. Tips for making characters more ACTIVE when for various reasons (controlling parents, chronic illness, etc) they don’t have a lot of agency.
Ooh, duly noted! Thanks for this suggestion :)
Delight sounds like such a good word to keep close <3 Wishing you tons of delight for the holiday season and the new year. I'll dream big for and right alongside with you, too.
Thanks, Elodie! And yes, please join me in dreaming big! Let's manifest good things :)
Thank you for always being so candid with your readers, Erin! I've just started my own author newsletter and I have a newfound appreciation for how much time and effort you put into your newsletter. I wish you much DELIGHT in the coming year! On another note, and I ask this respectfully, have you ever considered self-publishing? You have so much to offer and it seems like some of your disappointments have been due to things outside your control.
Thanks for the kind words, CG! It really is a time-intensive labor of love to maintain this newsletter. 😅
I have indeed considered indie. What's held me back for so long is that I write for children and teens, and those books are a lot trickier in the indie space. The readers don't have credit cards and/or the means to easily buy books. I also want/need to be in schools and libraries to reach these readers, and that's very hard to do at a nation-wide level as an indie author. That said, I have some projects that never sold to trad publishers that I've been seriously considering self-publishing at this point, because, what do I have to lose?
I totally get it. I will soon be in the children's space with my debut novel. I decided to self-pub after two years of querying agents and over 50 (nicely worded) rejections. LOL I bought Karen Inglis's book How to Self-Publish and Market a Children's Book. I realize that it's going to be a slow process to build a following, but I'm in it for the long haul. And yes! You have nothing to lose, so publish those rejected projects!! Best of luck~ Cari
Thank you for sharing, Erin! I agree that it's so important to look at what we did do, even if it doesn't look like what we thought at the surface. You clearly did a lot of great things that, I imagine, support your writing in wonderful ways!
I choose themes as well, and for 2024 I chose "share" because I'd like to share more of my writing with readers, while also continuing my usual focus of editing my book IN YOUR DREAMS. Similar to your theme, this theme is driven by the joy of writing, which is something I really felt this year--that return to the focus on the JOY! and not just on the "GET THIS DONE" part.
I'm excited about my writing and excited for you. Your newsletters are amazing and I always appreciate SO much that you write them and share them with us. Here's wishing you and your writing and your family well and happy holidays!
SHARE is such a great word for the year! I love that attitude. Best of luck to you in the new year :)
Aw thank you so much for the kind words! I wish the best of luck to you too :)
What a great word for the year! We have a lot to delight in when it comes to expressing our creativity.
Thanks, friend! Happy holidays to you! 💗
I’d love to hear more about your decision to leave your agent and query a new one, especially after being with your agent since the beginning of your career. So many authors leave their agents, but few talk about the process (understandably). I’m also super interested to know if you’d ever consider indie publishing. I previously thought I never wanted to indie publish (“it’s too much work, I don’t write popular indie genres,” etc.), but now I indie publish and I adore it. Just curious if it’s something you’re considering at this stage. Happy holidays!
I will definitely consider indie publishing! What's held me back so long is that I write mainly for children and teens (ages 8-18) and that audience is notoriously tricky in the indie space. School and library distribution is key, and that's something that trad publishing still offers me. That said, I have some projects that didn't find homes in the trad world that I am now considering releasing on my own. We'll see what the new year brings.
re: Agent switching mid-career... You're right that many authors don't talk about it because when they're in the thick of it, it feels like a very personal business decision, not something we want to draw attention to. I may talk about it more in the future, but I don't feel ready to just yet. Dahlia Adler has some good posts on it though, and you might enjoy her insights:
https://dailydahlia.wordpress.com/2013/07/29/jumping-back-into-the-trenches/
https://dailydahlia.wordpress.com/2019/07/07/mid-career-querying-and-other-stuff-we-dont-talk-about/
Hi, Erin. I just joined Substack, and you are one of the first/few publications I subscribe to. Everything of yours I've read so far as really resonated with me - I joined Substack because I'm trying to focus more on connecting with people (not on sales) and finding/celebrating the joy in writing, and doing things because I want to and not because I think I should. So, here's to a 2024 filled with delight! ~Brie
Thanks for the follow, and welcome to SS! I've really enjoyed my time here so far. Feels like old school blogging in how it lets me connect with readers and writers. Happy new year to you!
I love hearing that people are enjoying it here - I'm excited to do more. Thanks! Happy holidays!
I'm joining you for joy and delight in writing in 2024!
Hooray! The more the merrier :)
I loved this! I do have one question - a topic I rarely see in any newsletters from authors is how to structurally/developmentally edit or revise your novel. I'm about to finish a first draft and I'm staring down editing my second draft and I have no idea where to start.
Ooh, I've actually covered this! It's an old post and therefore archived, so if you're not a paying subscriber, you can use the 7-day free trial to read it: https://erinbowman.substack.com/i/72285543/writing-heart-to-heart-tips-for-tackling-a-developmental-revision
I might revisit this topic in the new year too! It's always good for me to refresh old posts, especially if it's relevant to my subscribers. Thanks for the suggestion!
I compleeeeeetely relate! When I used to use Instagram often, I noticed many posts talking about writing and filled with encouragement to help authors finish their manuscripts, and not a lot about editing. I’ve been editing one of my books for more than a decade (I know, a while! But the story is growing) and in the past year I’ve noticed more workshops and books about revising. I’ll share two resources here in case they help.
- The Artful Edit by Susan Bell (book)
- A revisions workshop: https://www.theshipmanagency.com/classes/master-class-revise-responsibly-with-anna-badkhen
You know I don’t usually choose a word, but I’ve found lately I keep telling friends they deserve peace, I keep wanting that for myself, and...I guess if I were choosing a word for 2024, that would be it.
I really like delight, too. To feel that in the work... that’s the actual dream.
Do it. Use that word. It's a good one. I could use some peace in 2024 (and beyond) also. 💗
I love this. It's a refreshing approach.