7 Things I’ve Learnt Since Becoming a Published Author

It’s been two months since The Seawomen landed in bookshops and I thought it was about time I gave you an update about how life has been since publication! Here are the 7 things I’ve learnt since becoming a debut author so far.

Local bookshops are the best!

Two of the most special days of my publishing journey so far have centred around local bookshops. I had a lovely small launch with friends and family at Harbour Books in Whitstable and then at the end of June, I did a reading and talk at The Little Green Book Shop, Herne Bay’s brand new bookshop. Both independents have been an incredible support, offering customers signed editions, displaying copies in the window and being so enthusiastic. My two local Waterstones, Canterbury and Thanet have also been champions of The Seawomen, putting it in the window, on table displays and front-facing on the shelf. I know how challenging it is to get your book in Waterstones so it means so much to have this local backing! It’s what every author dreams of.

Hearing from readers is the best part of the job

Nothing has made me happier these past two months than to hear from readers. Whether in-person at an event, tagging me on Instagram, or sliding into my DMs, I can’t tell you what an honour it is to hear from complete strangers who loved my book. It’s still a bit mind bending when people tell me it’s one of their favourite books of the year or they stayed up until 2am to finish it, but there is no greater joy. If you’re one of the above people, thank you for making my year!

I love doing events

I’m one of those strange and rare people who has no fear of public speaking! I guess it goes back to my teaching days, but I can honestly tell you I love doing events. Whether it’s been virtual or in-person, sure there are nerves and adrenaline, but a few seconds in, I love it. Sometimes it’s been challenging to remember the details of what I wrote and how (all those years ago) but it’s been fun to hear the burning questions people want to know the answer to and talk about writing to engaged audiences.

Opportunities arise where you don’t expect them

Through this process I’ve learnt a lot about being confident, faking confidence when you need to, and putting yourself out there when it comes to opportunities. It’s amazing how simply telling people you’re a published author can open doors. But I’ve also been fortunate enough to have festivals and organisations offer me opportunities. A few of these opportunities I can’t speak about yet, but one I can tell you about is – The Literary Consultancy (an organisation I love) asked me to be their mentor for this year’s scholarship! I’m so thrilled and honoured to be offered this role and I can’t wait to see the upcoming talent.

Don’t stress over things that are out of your control

The question I get asked the most when people learn my novel was published this year is “How’s it going? How are sales?” They’re often surprised when I tell them it’s going really well and yet I have no idea how it’s selling! Ultimately, sales are something I have no control over. I don’t get to decide which bookshops stock it or who chooses to buy it so any worries about sales I’ve had to let go - it’s not in my control. Of course, everyone would love to be a bestseller, but as a writer the only thing I can control is writing a good book and hope readers connect with it. The fact strangers have contacted me to say they loved it is the biggest success I could ask for.

My audiobook gave me a new appreciation for my hard work

By the time The Seawomen went to print, I had spent over 3 years writing it and I must have read it hundreds of times. There comes a point where the words blur and you can recite pages with your eyes shut. There are no surprises, I know how every character feels, how they behave. It’s fair to say, I was a little jaded with it by the time I did my final FINAL read through. But that feeling completely changed when I listened to the audiobook version, read by the brilliant Samara MacLaren. To hear my words actually performed by a professional actor, with emotion and energy was transformative. I began to feel my story again, it was alive in my head, characters became real again. I was moved and angered and gripped as any reader coming at it fresh would be. I even stayed up late one night because although I knew the story off by heart, I couldn’t bear to pause. There’s something so special about hearing your own audiobook, and I’m honoured to experience it.

The writing community keeps me going

No list about my publishing experience would be complete without a mention of the wonderful writing community, particularly those who I’ve connected with on Twitter and through the Debut 2022 group. These are the people who lift you on a bad day, banish your irrational negative thoughts and stop you from going on Goodreads at 10pm on a Sunday night to wallow in your bad reviews! It’s been so helpful to have people who have been through the process to tell you about how they coped with the ups and down and how to enjoy every moment. It’s also been an utter joy to speak to and interview so many other debut authors on my podcast Confessions of a Debut Novelist which has confirmed that all of us have the same doubts and fears and grumbles. Writing is often solitary and publishing can feel like a strange weight on your shoulders but this community has meant never going through things alone.