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Are You Getting Others Involved?

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

I’m taking a break from 3 C’s to try something new. For the next several Fridays, I’ll blog about things I’m experiencing, learning, pondering, or wrestling with on this new leg of the journey. In a month or two, I’ll reassess and see if this is a good direction.

So without further ado, here’s a small epiphany I had while telling people the news:

I don’t know what’s more fun – getting the contract, or getting to tell people about the contract. I’ve gotten some great responses, some funny responses, and some very humbling responses. You know the ones. When the person just sort of stares at you while crickets chirp backup, and then finally they say something like, Oh, that’s nice, when really they mean, You’re kind of weird. Gotta love those.

The most popular is probably: Are you going to quit teaching?

The most awkward: So is there a lot of money involved?

The most laughter-inducing: Are you going to be famous now?

But my two favorite have got to be these:

  • When I found out I was getting published, I was in the middle of teaching and therefore couldn’t tell a soul. I teach with two close friends who have read all my books and have supported me through this entire journey. So after school, when I’m about to burst with the news, I have Susan and Melissa meet me in Melissa’s room, whereby I blurt, “I’m getting published!” Oh my goodness. It was the BEST reaction ever. They hurled themselves at me with hugs and screams. They jumped up and down with me and cried with me. I’ll never forget it.
  • The second was more unexpected. I volunteer Wednesday nights at junior high ministry. One of the 7th graders used to be my student two years ago while I was writing Beneath a Velvet Sky. While she waited for her bus at the end of the day, she’d answer my farming questions. So while we were hanging out on Wednesday night, I told her I was getting published, thinking she’d smile, but not really get it. Nope. She freaked out! Then she asked if it was the one she helped me with and when I said yes, she about peed her pants.
Both of those reactions got me thinking. People like to be involved. Melissa and Susan wouldn’t have gotten as excited as they did if I never would have shared my writing with them. But I did. And it’s like this publishing deal isn’t just happening to me, it’s happening to them too. They are such an important part of it.
And then there’s my junior high girl. When I think of my reading audience, I do not think junior high. I think adult women. But when I told her, she was SO excited to buy my book. So excited that she helped me with it. She told her friends and all of a sudden, I had three girls who couldn’t wait to buy a novel that won’t come out until next spring. Three girls who couldn’t wait to tell their moms about it, because their moms like to read, and their moms ARE my intended audience.
So here’s something I’ve learned. Something I’ve rolled around in my head:

As writers, we should be looking for ways to get people involved. Because when people get involved, they get invested. And when people are invested, they’re going to encourage others to get invested too. And really, isn’t that the core of good marketing?
Let’s Talk: How are you involving people in your writing? Do you have a hard time doing this? Why or why not? And just because I’m not sharing my 3 C’s, doesn’t mean I don’t want to read yours. Feel free to share those too!

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7 Tips for Landing a Book Contract

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

After signing the contract, I spent some time reflecting – trying to figure out what worked. How did I get here? I came up with a list of things that I believe helped. Hope they help you – wherever you may be on your journey.

Pursue learning. I wrote my first two novels not knowing much about anything and got a whole lot of rejections. It wasn’t until I spent a summer devouring every writing book in sight that my writing turned a corner. I highlighted. I took notes. I wrote blog posts about what I learned. I paid for professional critiques. I found two very amazing critique partners. I entered contests. I listened to feedback.

Persevere. I didn’t give up when I got rejected. I determined at the start that I wanted to be published by a traditional publisher—one that would actually pay me—and I didn’t let rejections influence my determination.

Keep writing. We submitted my book in the fall of 2009. By the time it went to pub board almost a year later, I’d written two more novels. My editor was able to bring not one, but three books to pub board. She was able to show the committee that I wouldn’t be a one-book wonder. She was able to show them that I know how to write novels.

Surround yourself with supportive people. This business is hard. You meet a lot of people who don’t get it. A lot of people who get it, but don’t like your work. Having some encouragers in your corner is vital. I am blessed with three amazing friends who are my biggest fans (hi Erin, Susan, and Melissa!) These girls believed in me when I couldn’t and spurred me on with their encouragement.

Keep a journal. All those times I wanted to rant and rail against the publishing industry? I did it in my journal. My safe, private journal. Ranting online would not have helped my cause.

Go to writing conferences. Not for learning, because you can save yourself a ton of money and get the bulk of that from books and blogs. But go for networking. Go when your writing is ready. I got face-to-face time with my editor and agent at the 2009 ACFW conference and landed my agent two months later. I got more face-to-face time with the same editor at the 2010 ACFW conference and landed a book contract two months later. I can say with complete confidence that I would not be where I’m at today if I wouldn’t have gone.

Hold out for a reputable agent. I know this is a hard one to control—especially when you just want an agent already. But I’ve heard it said a bad agent is worse than no agent, and I believe this 100%. Rachelle is well-respected within the industry and she goes to bat for her clients. Without her determination and follow-through, I wouldn’t have Waterbrook Multnomah as my publisher.

Of course, there’s a caveat. A big BUT at the end of this list. Something I think is important to understand.

You can do every single one of these things, and still find yourself waiting, because so much of it is out of your control.

You might be an amazing writer – but the agent you want has a full roster, or too many clients who write books similar to yours. You might have an awesome agent and solid work to submit – but your genre just isn’t selling right now.

So much of this comes down to….timing. Everything lining up just so. Some luck. And God. I like to think God.

Here’s the good news: If you’ve got the talent, the passion, and the right attitude, your time will come. Work hard. Persevere. Keep writing. Believe in yourself.

Let’s Talk: Do you have anything else to add to the list? Are there any you disagree with? Any you struggle with? What has helped you the most on your journey?

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Friday 3 C’s

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

Cares:
Your outpouring of excitment and congratulations from Monday’s announcement absolutely blew me away. It made an already special moment a thousand times richer. I teared up reading many of the comments. Thank you SO much for the support!

Many of you follow Krista Phillips. Many of you know about her baby girl Annabelle’s heart. They got some test results back yesterday and they have a big decision to make regarding Annabelle’s care. I’m praying God gives her and Scott overflowing clarity, guidance, wisdom, and peace. Please pray too.

Concerns:
None really. Not this week.

Celebrations:
I want to celebrate you today! Tell me, what has made you smile or laugh or cheer this week?

And just for fun:
Every Wednesday, we have a big family dinner over at my aunt and Grandma’s house. They make something different each week and it’s a fun time to kick back and connect with family. This Wednesday, my mom surprised me with this:

It was very yummy!

And there’s no reason for this picture, I just got a kick out of how much Brogan enjoyed this box.

Let’s Talk: So really – what have you celebrated this week in your life? What cares and concerns are on your heart?

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