Introduction
If you want to be treated as a professional writer, you need to act like a professional. Take yourself and your career seriously. Behave in a way that you would expect a professional to behave.
When you see a doctor, lawyer, banker, or business executive, you expect certain standards—that they are mature, reliable people you'd want to do business with.
You've probably seen writers portrayed on TV or film as eccentric, ditzy, pompous, or curmudgeonly, as if that's the norm for a writer. They shrug. "Eh, creative people. What can you do?"
You can be professional.
When Kevin sold his first novel in 1987, he received an author questionnaire from the publisher's publicity department, asking about his interests, his areas of expertise, and his background in doing interviews and public appearances. Before the publisher turned him loose on book signings or set up media interviews, Kevin naïvely assumed that someone would train him. Since the publisher had a vested interest in their author making a good public impression, shouldn't they go over a list of guidelines or standards of behavior to make sure he was ready for prime time? After all, as an author representing their publishing company, he had their reputation as well as his own on the line. Surely they gave their authors some kind of code of conduct to keep them from shooting themselves in the foot, putting their foot in their mouths, or any other foot metaphor you prefer. When he asked about it, they told Kevin, "You should just know what to do."
Unfortunately, many authors have no idea what to do.
After a successful career spanning more than a quarter of a century, with over 125 books published and 50+ national or international bestsellers, Kevin has spent a lot of time learning how to be professional.
He and his wife Rebecca—also an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of dozens of books—have given lectures and workshops for thousands and thousands of writers.
They have presented their seminar "Things I Wish Some Pro Had Told Me When I Was Starting Out" for two decades, often to standing-room-only crowds.
Finally, they decided it was time to put that information in writing. The need for business knowledge and professional behavior is greater than ever. With more authors choosing the indie publishing route, they are forced to be front and center—producing and promoting their books, meeting fans, talking to bookstores. No longer can socially inept authors safely tuck themselves away in a cabin so they can write, while someone else does all the legwork.
With the explosion of social media, blogs, and discussion boards, where writers have direct interactions with readers—not to mention the potential for unfortunate flame-wars—it is imperative that writers learn to be professional, to stand out above the crowd of amateurs and be taken seriously.
The authors hope this book helps. They'll be watching.
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Part I - The Professional Mindset
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Speak, Dress, and Act Professionally
Writers aren't always dazzling socialites or the life of the party. In fact, writers tend to be more reclusive than average, maybe even a bit eccentric. They commute to fictional worlds for their daily work, and hang out with imaginary friends.
In the real world, though, a professional writer needs to adhere to certain basic social standards—such as grooming and hygiene. Don't laugh: we wouldn't be saying this if we hadn't met so many counter-examples.
If you're going to be in public, meeting editors, authors, and readers, follow these rules:
¥Bathe
¥Brush your teeth
¥Wear clean clothes
¥Look like someone an editor would want to do business with
Each time you talk to an editor or a publisher, whether it's at a cocktail party, on a panel, at lunch, or just chatting in the hall, think of it as a job interview. Yes, the vintage Star Wars t-shirt that you bought at the original showing of the film back in 1977 might be your favorite shirt, but—be honest with yourself—it's been laundered too many times and doesn't really fit all that well anymore. No, you don't have to wear a business suit (most authors don't), but at least look professional.
When an editor talks to you, she will form an immediate assessment from your first impression. Is this a person I can rely on? Will this author deliver a book on time, as contracted, handle herself well in interviews, and appear at bookstore after bookstore without annoying the managers or customers? Is this somebody I want to work with?
In public, Kevin generally wears a nice sport jacket, dress shirt, slacks, no tie (it's a challenge for him even to remember how to tie a necktie). It's a look that Rebecca has developed and cultivated for him, and it works.
O O O
Kevin
When I attended my very first swanky Nebula Awards ceremony in Oakland, California, I was seated at a table with a dashingly dressed Robert Silverberg and a similarly tuxedoed Dan Simmons. Much to my embarrassment, I actually did wear that old and faded Star Wars t-shirt mentioned above—and stuck out like a sore thumb. I looked like an amateur.
That was not the impression I wanted to make when sitting next to the titans of science fiction and fantasy.
Consider and create a specific look for yourself. Mega-bestseller Neil Gaiman never appears without his black leather jacket, black t-shirt, and aviator shades. Award-winning author Jay Lake and bestseller Aaron Allston were both well known for wearing bright Hawaiian shirts at every public appearance. Bestselling young adult author James A. Owen always wears a smart white shirt and black pants with a Victorian-looking vest, complete with pocket watch.
You might want to think through your branded look, though, before you choose something particularly elaborate. Bestselling dark fantasy author Sherrilyn Kenyon showed up at a large convention in a lovely crushed-velvet dress, corset, top hat, and gloves which gave her a beautiful steampunk appearance… in supremely humid and hot Atlanta in August; she told us she never wanted to do that again.
Speak Professionally
When you speak on stage or in public, even in hallway conversations, people will expect that a writer has a certain command of the language. Be articulate. Use complete sentences. When people hear you talk, they should want to read your books.
You don't have to be prissy and erudite Professor Higgins from My Fair Lady, but you probably don't want to curse like a drunken sailor either—unless that's the brash, edgy image you're trying to project. (Even so, the longevity of brash, rude, in-your-face authors doesn't tend to be great.)
The same goes for online interactions. When people read a posting you made, they should not roll their eyes at poor grammar, sloppy spelling, or frequent typos. Instead, they should be impressed with how interesting you are, so they will want to seek out your blogs, articles, stories, or books.
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