SPECIAL FEATURE Things I wish I’d known before
To learn from others and avoid pitfalls on the path, Loretta Flockhart is asking what authors and illustrators wish they’d known before being published. This month we hear from writer Tracy Curran.
Publishing is brutal but it’s not personal. Having your work accepted by a publisher is the best feeling in the world and having it rejected is one of the worst. I’ve since learned to take the emotion out of it.
My first MG novel went out on sub in January. I’d been working on it since before Covid and, out of everything I’ve written, it’s the book of my heart, but it now looks like it won’t be taken up.
Once upon a time, I might not have recovered from that. Now, although I’m disappointed, I’ve shrugged it off and moved on. This is a business and I just have to keep going. Some ideas will land and some won’t – all I can do is continue to do my best, take feedback and keep going.
Pumpkin’s Fairytale was published in 2021 with Final Chapter, a small indie company who had a team of three people. We met via Zoom, hit it off, and they presented me with a very simple contract. The Society of Authors picked holes in it and I didn’t fully understand it. However, I had a gut feeling that this was the right move for me, so took a punt, went for it and the risk paid off. They did such a great job that I will be forever grateful to them.
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| Tracy with Pumpkin's Fairytale, her debut picture book |
Then, in 2023, I received an offer from a more established publishing house for a second picture book. A week later, this was followed by a third offer - from a different publisher - for the first two books in my chapter book series. The contracts were incredibly complex and I quickly felt out of my depth. I would have happily said yes to all their complicated clauses just to see my books in print, but deep down I knew it wasn’t wise to navigate this on my own – I needed an agent.
I contacted Alice Williams and, after she read my MG novel which was in her slushpile, she offered me representation and negotiated the two contracts on my behalf. It was such a massive relief. I am in total awe of authors who manage and negotiate their own contracts. In my case, Pumpkin’s Fairytale worked out well, but it might not have.
Therefore, my advice is to listen to your gut but be careful about taking risks with your work, underselling yourself or signing your rights away just to be published.
By Easter 2025, I am proud to say I will be published by three independent publishers. When Pumpkin’s Fairytale launched, it opened doors to some wonderful opportunities such as school and library events, radio interviews, festivals and international sales.
However, I also experienced a certain level of snobbery from some local booksellers. This knocked my confidence and led me to wonder whether I was a real author who would ever see her books in Waterstones.
Indie publishers are brilliant, passionate, have incredible teams and are fantastic to work with because they consult and include you fully in the process of making your book. I am over-the-moon to be publishing with them.
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| Tracy working on her laptop |
It is essential to take yourself seriously. If you don’t, no one else will. This was the key message they drummed into us on the publishing module on the MA in Writing For Young People at Bath Spa.
I struggle with imposter syndrome but try to leave that at the door and present myself as confident and professional. I need to promote my books and no one is going to do it for me.
You and your work are as valid as anyone else’s so organise author events, post on your social media platforms, build a website and jump at any opportunities to do events. It will all help to build your profile and your brand.
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| Pumpkin Fairytale storypod & read along |
I recently read an interview where an author said something that resonated with me. When things feel tough, they think back to a couple of years ago when they would have given anything to be where they are now.
Being a published author is a dream and a privilege and an exciting journey to be on. Enjoy the ride and give it your all because one day, when you see your work come to life, it will all be worth it.
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