Embracing the imperfect plan + survey, paths to publishing, buzzy industry news
Plans don't have to be perfect and neither do we; survey; publishing, publicity, & revision links; dictionary of sff; Ukrainian librarians; strikes & closings; harry's memoir; -ussy??; tea party
Greetings readers & writers,
I’ve spent the past two months scouring the internet for the perfect planner. I had this idea that owning a planner with space for notes, appointments, goal setting, habit tracking, and doodling (but not so much that I would feel guilt for not filling out a dozen journaling prompts every week) would help me start 2023 feeling centered and purposeful.
Instead, I found myself at a bookstore in early January (aka way past the time actual planner-using-people buy their planners) staring at the dregs of their calendar/planner collection, and saying to myself: “I’m not leaving without one.”
Why settle? you might wonder. Why not dig until you find just the right thing? What I am learning about myself, and maybe you will recognize similarities in yourself too, is that the need for the perfect tool, space, or solution is much less about need and more about delaying action.
Case in point, I was nervous about this issue because I’m giving some serious reflection to what I want Books, Marketing, & More to look like in 2023. That before sending out this first newsletter of the year, I’d need to have everything figured out.
Starting something new — whether it’s a planner, a novel, a marketing strategy, or a year — can be tangled up with fear and insecurity, imposter syndrome and doubt. No matter how fancy a planner I buy, the planner itself is not going to make me more organized. It’s not going to take on the burden of doing the planning. Only I can do that. And only I can start.
The planner I picked is straightforward: a monthly calendar, followed by spreads with the weeks on one side and space for notes on the other. Of course, being one of the few left, the first third of it is from the end of 2022 — so I’m trying to think of that as extra space for scribbles. It’s the size of a trade paperback, softcover, with pastel swirls on the front. It is not the perfect planner, but it’s the one I have. And now that I’ve started filling it in, it’ll become exactly what I need it to be.
So welcome to the first issue of 2023. I really want this newsletter to be something that YOU want to read and turn to. What keeps you coming back? What else would you love to see in this space? If you have a moment, please fill out this short survey (if you get to it before Feb. 15th, you could win a $10 gift card to an indie bookstore!)
Writing/Marketing Resources
Publishing guru Jane Friedman has updated her paths-to-publishing informational chart, which is a great intro to book publishing options.
Advice straight from the mouths of publicists: What’s the One Thing I Can Do For My Book? {Lithub}
Have a first draft you’ve resolved to get into shape in 2023? Check out writer/mentor Leigh Shulman’s post on How to Transform a Shitty First Draft into a Book.
The Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction is the exact kind of word-nerd wormhole I am ready to get sucked into, with first and historical usages of every kind of SF term imaginable. Here’s a little background on the project {SmithsonianMag}
What book cover design trends to expect more of in 2023 {99designs}
Reading Corner
Just finished (first of the year!): Time Salvager* by Wesley Chu. High-action, sci-fi time travel with corrupt corporations, dystopic future, breaking of Time Laws, the works. A little more wordy rather than feely, which isn’t my usual cuppa, but enjoyed the ride,
Next up: The Cartographers* by Peng Shepherd
This here’s my holiday season book haul: either books I bought for myself or that others got for me. As you can see, lots of speculative fiction and lots of food writing.
Have you read any of these? Which did you love? What reads are on your TBR this season?
Industry News
A powerful, must-read article from The Guardian on how librarians in Ukraine are keeping the country’s sense of cultural identity alive: ‘Our mission is crucial’: Meet the Warrior Librarians of Ukraine. You can support the Ukrainian Librarian Association through the ALA’s Ukrainian Library Relief Fund.
The USAToday Bestseller list is on indefinite hiatus and well-known literary magazine Bookforum has closed its doors. {AP News}
The HarperCollins union remains on strike, entering its 9th week. In response to an open-letter to authors posted by HarperCollins’ CEO, the union hosted a rally, featuring bestselling HarperCollins author, R.F. Kuang and editor Molly McGhee {MarySue} to continue to press for their cause. To raise awareness, they also designed this smart, tongue-in-cheek book cover:
🌟EXCLUSIVE🌟 cover reveal! Everyone knows that scabs don't last 😏 Illustrated by the talented @catleeart 🎨 Order your copy at: tinyurl.com/donateHCPunion *Disclaimer: This isn't a real book, but you'll support those who work on some of your favorite real books by donating!
Today is the pub date for Prince Harry’s tell-all memoir, Spare which has created a ton of buzz and sensationalism, due to leaks and speculation. New York Times writer Vanessa Friedman, analyzes the book cover for hints of it’s contents {free link}. BBC News explores their PR strategy.
I am officially too old; I didn’t know this was even a thing, but the linguists know what’s going on! According to the American Dialect Society, the word of the year for 2022 is the suffix -ussy. You old like me? This article from Vulture explains the trend.
Tea… Party!
My kids wanted to have a tea party and so a tea party was had, complete with fancy tea cups and tableware! So on a random Saturday afternoon, we sat on floor cushions and enjoyed cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, pb&j, fresh fruit, and these charming gluten-free lemon bites, alongside cups of apricot tea and hot water with lemon and honey. It was delightful.
May you find small ways to celebrate the things you love this January and embrace an imperfect plan. Try starting something, see where it goes!
~Allison
Writer & Marketing Coach
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