Writers in the Storm

This week on WITS we're looking at how the changing times in publishing are affecting the publishing dream. On Monday, aspiring author Orly Konig-Lopez shared her dream, today you'll hear from debut author Laura Drake and on Friday, multi-published Marilyn Brant will close out the series.

Part 2: A Debut Author’s Perspective

By Laura Drake

This is the hardest blog I’ve ever written. I’ve put it off to the last second – not because I don’t want to write it, but because I don’t know what I think!

Many of you know my story: I had my heart set on New York, and I stuck with it for 15 years until I stormed the walls, and sold 7 books within a year.

I made it! I basked in my debut like a cat in the sun, and I’m just now coming back down to earth, and waking up to the fact that deadlines are hovering on the horizon, getting ever closer.

But.

What is it about human nature?  Do you know the song, ‘Constant Craving?’ (I love kd Lang.) It seems that it’s impossible for a person just to achieve a long time goal, and be happy. I’m like a toddler who gets the candy bar that they’ve been screaming for, then immediately wants the next thing. I’m reading about indie superstars (one of them is a friend of mine) and thinking, Ooooh that would be nice!

No, don’t get me wrong. I’m not second-guessing myself, or wishing I had chosen something different.  I love where I am.

Here’s a blog by agent Rachel Gardner, that pretty well sums up why I held out (and why I’m glad I did):

http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/reasons-authors-still-want-publishers/#.UXKc3HsqDuE.twitter

But.

What if the soothsayers are right and the last large bookstore chain goes belly-up? What if other stores don’t pick up the shelf space? What if . . .

I think all writers worry these things. As business people, we’d be crazy not to. We have to do our research, create SWOT analysis, constantly stay on top of the trends, poised for change.

My original goal, all those years ago, was to stand in a bookstore, holding a book in my hand with my name on it. New York was the only way to achieve my dream. That picture, firmly planted in my brain, helped me to soldier past the rejections and discouragement. And it worked.

But I’ve realized something else, while writing this blog. My goal is morphing – growing larger, less physical.  I want my stories to touch readers…to make them think, “Oh, that’s just how it feels.”

I want to build a career, doing that.

Thinking of it that way, how the story is conveyed to the reader doesn’t really matter, does it? With a shift of focus, it’s removed the angst and worry.

I know from past experience that keeping my eye on this new goal will see me through all the mud, blood, and drama as the publishing industry changes.

And when I forget and fall back in the mud, someone remind me, will you?

Your turn: what is your heart set on? Do you have a picture in your head representing what you want?

What is the deeper goal?

About Laura

Laura Drake is a city girl, who never grew out of her tomboy ways, or a serious cowboy crush. She writes both Women's Fiction and Romance. The Sweet Spot, the first novel in her, 'Sweet on a Cowboy' Series, was released by Grand Central in May, Nothing Sweeter, in December. Her 'biker-chick' novel, Her Road Home, will be released by Harlequin's Superromance in August, 2013.

Laura resides in Southern California, though she aspires to retirement in Texas. She gave up the corporate CFO gig to write, full time. She's a wife, grandmother, and motorcycle chick in the remaining waking hours.

http://LauraDrakeBooks.com
Twitter: @PBRWriter
FB:  https://www.facebook.com/LauraDrakeBooks

Ask an author why they write and you’ll get some variation of “to tell a story.” For most of us it started with the wonder of leafing through books picked up at a library or bookstore. We fantasize about the weight of a book in our hands, our name on the cover, picture on the back.

But times in publishing are changing. Traditional publishing isn’t the only way to go anymore. And you don’t have to have an agent to get published.

How are these changes affecting the publishing dream?

This week we’ll take a look at the evolution of the writing dream, an inside look at the thought process of authors at different stages in their writing career. Today, we’re starting with an aspiring author – that would be me. Wednesday, you’ll hear from debut author Laura Drake. And on Friday, multi-published Marilyn Brant will close out the series.

Part 1: The Aspiring Author’s Writing Dream

By Orly Konig-Lopez

A few months ago I was chatting with an author friend who had just self-published her debut. I was a bit deflated from a submission let-down and she asked, “Why are you still doing that? I loved your story. Just put it out there on your own.”

In today’s publishing market that is indeed a viable option. And I know a lot of aspiring authors who go that route—some quite successfully too. Is it tempting? Absolutely.

But it’s not for me. And here’s why: I have a dream. Yeah, yeah, you’ve heard that before and more convincingly. Hang with me for a second.

My dream isn’t a lofty one. I don’t expect to change the world. I have no delusions of millionairedom. I’m not running out to buy the perfect shoes for a red carpet appearance. I want to write the best book I can possibly write and see it published. I want to write something that will – hopefully – touch readers.

When I first set out to write a novel, I thought I could just hole up in my office and write. I took a couple of workshops, joined a couple of writer’s groups and guess what I learned? The more I interact with other authors, the stronger my writing becomes.

I belong to two critique groups (yes, two!) The feedback and encouragement I get from both groups is priceless. I’m also a member of three writer’s organizations (even a founding president of one—that’s huge for an introverted troll who really just wanted to sit quietly in her cave and type away a couple of years ago).

My writing has matured since I joined these groups and I’ve learned an incredible amount about the publishing industry. The more I learn, the more convinced I am that my dream of getting an agent and pursuing a traditional publisher is the right one for me.

Why? Because there’s still room to grow.

At this stage in my career I want that publishing knowledge behind me. I want an agent who sees something special in my writing, falls in love with my quirky vision and will help me make those stories that much stronger. I want to work with an editor and publisher who see a gem in my story and will want to share it with readers.

Sound naïve? Maybe. I know the industry is hard. Believe me, I have enough rejections in a folder on my computer to know that landing an agent isn’t what it used to be. But I also have enough encouraging rejections to keep me focused on what can be.

A few days ago, Laura Drake shared this quote:

I don’t plan on giving up. Will my dream ever change? Maybe. If in a few years I’m still picking at the mortar of my brick wall with a toothpick, yeah, I might reconsider.

For now, I’m sticking with my dream.

What dream are you pursuing? And why?

About Orly

After years of pushing the creativity boundary in corporate communications, Orly decided it was time for a new challenge. Three women’s fiction manuscripts later (plus a handful of picture books), it’s safe to say she’s found her creative outlet.

When she’s not talking to her imaginary friends, she’s reading or at least trying to ignore everyone around her long enough to finish “just one more paragraph.” Orly has also joined forces with some amazing women’s fiction authors to launch the Women’s Fiction Writers Association.

You can find her on Twitter at @OrlyKonigLopez or on her website, www.orlykoniglopez.com.

by Susan Spann

Last month’s guest post here at Writers in the Storm took a look at wills in author estate plans. Today, we’ll look at the other common estate planning device: the trust.

A trust is a legal entity (a “fictitious person”) created by a trust agreement. Its purpose is to hold and manage property during the owner’s life and to distribute that property after the owner’s death.

The person who owns the property and establishes the trust is called the “Settlor.” That’s you, the author, for purposes of this discussion. The settlor can put as much (or as little) of his or her property into the trust as (s)he chooses, but anything not put into the trust will pass by will (or by law, if there is no will), and often that means a probate.

However, property in a trust usually bypasses probate, which means that if enough your property is placed in a trust, your heirs may not have to probate your estate at all.  That means a shorter administration period and lower costs.

Trusts allow for greater flexibility in distribution of an author’s assets after death, including intellectual property rights like copyright.

Unlike a will, which can often be written without the assistance of counsel, trusts almost always require an attorney’s aid. However, the extra cost of drafting a trust is usually more than offset by the savings on probate costs.

Most people (authors included) will create a revocable trust, a type of trust which can be altered or terminated during the lifetime of the person who created it. This allows for greater flexibility, and also enables the author to change beneficiaries and named trustees at will or as the settlor’s needs change.

Trusts are administered by a “Trustee.” During the settlor/author’s life, the settlor normally serves as his or her own trustee. The trust agreement states who will serve as trustee after the settlor’s death, and usually names at least one “successor trustee” who will serve if the named trustee dies first or refuses to serve as trustee when the time comes. Like all other provisions of a revocable trust, this can be changed during the settlor’s lifetime, but only if the settlor chooses to do so.

While trusts are often the most flexible way to hold and administer copyrights upon an author’s death, estate planning is a personal process and each author needs to investigate all the options to find the one which best suits the author’s individual needs.

Revocable trusts are not the only kind (though they are the most common). Consult an attorney to make sure you have the type that works for you. Also, consult your accountant, because some trusts receive different tax treatment or require the filing of special tax forms.

Thank you for joining me for today’s discussion of trusts as estate planning vehicles. Next month, we’ll look at how authors should choose the successor trustee or executor who will manage the literary estate after the author’s death.

Have you got a trust? A will? Are you just starting the estate planning process? Have questions? Hop into the comments: I’d love to hear from you.

About Susan

Susan Spann is a publishing attorney and author from Sacramento, California. Her debut mystery novel, CLAWS OF THE CAT (Thomas Dunne Books, July 2013), is the first in a series featuring ninja detective Hiro Hattori. Susan blogs about writing, publishing law and seahorses at http://www.SusanSpann.com. Find her on Twitter @SusanSpann or on Facebook.