October 7, 2009

I attended a terrific writers’ conference last weekend in Austin, TX, and during the social time, we discussed various career challenges, the economic downturn, puny sales of well reviewed books, and other writer maladies common to us all.

Are there ways to get out of this slump? Yes! I found such a list of great ideas today on Janet Kobobel Grant’s post. (Janet is an agent with Books & Such, and we met at Mt. Hermon eighteen months ago.)

“Many of us have the misconception,” Janet writes, “that the toughest part of developing a writing career is finding a publisher. Nope. In actuality, most careers have a slump or two built into them. These often occur just when you think you’ve built up some momentum, such as when you’ve written and had published about six books. What kind of advice can an agent offer at this crucial moment in a career? Everyone’s situation is unique, of course, but here is a peek at some of the advice I’ve given.”

I thought Janet’s career advice was very helpful–and it’s given me some new ideas about a couple projects. Thanks, Janet!

4 Comments »

1. 

   This is interesting. I wouldn’t call it a slump at all. When you decide to do something different, there is always a lag time before you begin to reap the benefits. I am consciously taking the time away from my short and nonfiction projects to work on a novel because it’s what I want to do. True, my income is much less, but I’m supplementing it with teaching.

   Comment by Vijaya — October 8, 2009 @ 10:31 am

2. 

   Vijaya, I don’t think Janet is talking about AFTER you make the change to try something different. I think she’s talking about what to do when nothing is working anymore–about making a decision to make a change. And it does feel like a slump in your career–I have experienced this four different times. But you’re so right–AFTER you make the change, there is a lag time. You plant seeds, and you reap a harvest–BUT there is certainly a waiting time in between!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — October 9, 2009 @ 6:57 am

3. 

   Thanks, Kristi … Yes, you’re right, it’s before you make changes that you feel slumpy

   Comment by Vijaya — October 9, 2009 @ 10:47 am

4. 

   Definitely something to think about.

   That said, as someone who’s finding it hard just to get noticed by an agent or publisher, I wouldn’t ever underestimate how hard it is to break in.

   I know I’m going a bit off-topic, but it IS tough to break in just as much as it is tough to be stuck after your established, you know?

   Comment by C.J. Rockwell — October 10, 2009 @ 10:10 pm

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