Fiona Robyn is the author of two published novels and a book of poetry. Fiona has kindly agreed to write an article for Juxtabook about her experience of becoming a published novelist. I hope that aspiring novelists find this useful!
Six years ago, I completed my first novel. Like most unpublished writers, I desperately wanted a publisher. I wanted my work to be read. I bought The Writer's Handbook, sent off submissions, started a blog, and continued to write. Six years later, my first three novels were accepted for publication by Snowbooks. My debut, The Letters, was published earlier this year. Was it all I'd hoped for? Was being published my Holy Grail?
My journey towards publication, like most writers, has been full of trials and adventures. I did find an agent shortly after finishing my first novel, but she couldn't find a publisher willing to take the book on. I had countless near misses and set backs. In retrospect, I am very grateful that it took me six years to find a publisher. I have learnt so many useful lessons along the way, and I know that these lessons will be of benefit in the years ahead.
What have I learnt? I have discovered a lot about marketing - the things that I enjoy (blogging, sending out newsletters, social networking) and the things that seem to work (being authentic, doing the same marketing activities over and over for a very long time). I published a couple of non-fiction books myself, and this taught me about putting books together, and gave me a taste of having 'an audience'.
I learnt (or learnt again) that I'm a control freak, and that it is difficult for me to hand things over, but that it's really helpful when I'm able to let go. I learn that I get easily addicted to praise, and the more praise my books get, the more I want. I learnt that this praise is never enough, and instead I need to remember that I am already enough, before I ever wrote a word.
I also learnt that writing is centrally important to me. I will continue to write whether or not my books continue to be published. Writing helps me to make sense of myself and of everything else, and to engage with the world. I love rolling words around in my mouth. It makes me happy when other people enjoy my descriptions, or become fond of my characters, or learn something about themselves when they read my stories. I got better at recovering from rejection. I got better at persevering. I could go on.
Being published has been a wonderful experience. I've thoroughly enjoyed working with Snowbooks, and there is nothing like holding your book in your hands for the very first time. Seeing it on the shelves in a bookshop is pretty cool too!
But no, being published hasn't been my Holy Grail. I'm not quite ready to retire on my royalties. Nobody has recognised me on the street yet, and I'm still waiting for Richard and Judy to call. I still have days when I think I'm a pretty decent writer, and days when I fear that I'm truly awful.
Having the goal of 'being published' was a helpful one, but rather than seeing it as the end, I now see it as just another stepping stone in my career as a writer. The joyful work of writing continues, and ordinary life goes on. I'll continue to learn, and carry on celebrating the milestones and the good stuff - being nominated for my first prize, or getting positive feedback from readers. I have always planned on being in this business for the long run. I am a writer. What else would I do with my days?
Fiona Robyn's latest novel, The Blue Handbag, will be published on the 1st of August, and her debut novel The Letters is available now. You can read more about her life as a writer at her blog, Planting Words.
If you enjoyed this article you might also find novelist Alis Hawkins' piece on being published with Macmillan New Writing very useful.
Very interesting. And inspiring, too.
There's an award for you over at my blog :0)
Posted by: Kit Courteney | July 27, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Thank you for your encouraging story. Continued success! Hey, from this side of the fence, you have already won half of the battle! LOL
Posted by: Claudia Ross | July 27, 2009 at 11:22 PM
I know I will never be published and also know I do not have the stamina to sit down and write a book, but I found this article interesting and inspiring. I write a blog and simply love it. I write daily, except if I am ill or away, and find that it is now an essential part of my life. The words flow, I adore that feeling of writing good English (some will argue that I don't as of course I have my own quirks) and trying to be amusing and/or interesting. But most of all, it is the feelign that I am communicating - whether it is read or not, it is enough for me just to write.
I have actually had one article printed, one on Henry James and when I saw my name I practically richoted off the ceiling....
Posted by: Elaine | July 28, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Wonderful blog and very insightful. Am loving the title of 'The Blue Handbag' for a book, sounds 1930's fabulous!
Posted by: Simon S | July 28, 2009 at 07:23 PM
Thank you Kit.
Claudia - thanks you - and yes, it still feels like more than half!
Elaine - never say never...
Simon - ta - and glad you like the title - it was nearly something else!
Posted by: Fiona Robyn | July 29, 2009 at 09:31 AM
Thank you, Robyn, for this honest and interesting post. found lots of echoes of my own experiences here (though mine have been on a much smaller scale than yours) - the goal of being published, learning about marketing, loving the praise, and the knowledge that what really counts is the actual writing.
I also identify with Elaine's comment above - I'm new to blogging myself (my 'About Page') explains why I started my blog, 'Writing Matters' and even though my fiction and poetry are simmering on the back boiler for a while, I'm thoroughly enjoying writing my posts,because of the illusion of communication it gives. (Illusion, in my case, as I haven't acquired many readers yet - but that doesn't spoil my pleasure.
Posted by: Christine Coleman | August 26, 2009 at 06:01 PM