What I Learned from Author Jenny Milchman
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L-R: Heather Weidner, Rosemary Shomaker, Jenny Milchman, Mary Burton, Kelly Justice
Suspense author, Jenny Milchman, spoke to our Sisters in Crime chapter at Fountain Bookstore in downtown Richmond, Virginia. She talked about her writing journey and what happens after the contract. Here's what I learned.
- Her path to publication was a thirteen year process. Don't give up!
- Face-to-face contact is vital in our virtual world. Make sure you attend events and conferences to network with readers. You never know who will be there.
- Persistance is key for those who want to be published writers.
- Your first published novel may not be the first one you wrote.
- There are two kinds of writers: one that thinks everything he/she has written is terrible and the other is the kind that thinks every word he/she has written is golden. Where do you fall?
- Signing with an agent doesn't mean that the agent will be able to sell your book.
- There are a lot more choices these days for new authors to publish and build a readership.
- Don't forget the people who helped you along your publishing journey.
- Sometimes, it's all about being with the right book at the right time and place.
- Find a writers' group that is supportive. You're not alone in this.
- Just becauseyou have a book contract doesn't mean that that publisher will want every book you write.
- Make sure that your newsletter has good content. Don't always make the focus your book. Include anecdotes, your pets, recipes, etc. You need to connect with people.
- If you're going to use a publicist, ask around to make sure they are known in the business. Your local booksellers are a good resource for this.
- Target your book publicity about events to people who live near the event.
- Social media posts with pictures do better than those without.
