How to get unstuck

A fellow author asked me to speak to the idea that if you start in one publishing lane, you have to stay there. “I keep having conversations with writers who feel like self-publishing or even a small publisher choice is a forever decision,” she wrote. “As in, if you don’t pick traditional publishing with your first big book then you can’t go back there later.”

As she and I agreed, this simply isn’t true; just ask Colleen Hoover or Andy Weir, both of whom self-published with great success, then went on to sign major deals with traditional publishing houses—though interestingly, Hoover still self-publishes from time to time. Publishers do love debut novels, and some may hold their noses about self-publishing (though I’d argue this is changing fast), but editors are always on the hunt for their next great title. If you write a book with bestseller potential, it doesn’t matter if you used to sell pamphlets on the corner—you’re very likely to get offers. So if you’ve self-published or are considering it, rather than focusing on your limitations, direct your energy toward writing a knockout.

It’s worth noting that you’re not stuck with the genre you started with, either. Sarah Pekkanen went from writing women’s fiction to suspense, as did Lisa Jewell and Laura Dave, and all three have whopper careers. Likewise, Colson Whitehead just put out a detective novel after penning several speculative fiction hits. And those are just prominent examples; there are countless others on the shelves of your local bookstore.

Which is to say: you’re never really stuck unless you decide you are. Or as Henry Ford famously said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

But if you don’t yet believe that change is possible for you, then at least commit to trying to change your mind about that. One simple way to do that is to write down a new, better belief every morning. (For example: “If I keep showing up and doing the work, I’ll get a traditional publishing deal.”) This may sound ridiculous, but I promise it works if you stick with it.

Then, look for evidence that change is possible. Now that I’ve given you a few examples of writers who’ve successfully made a big shift, seek out others on your own. Seeing that other people have done what you’re attempting to do can be a powerful motivator.

And of course, it’s not enough to just think about changing; you have to take action, too. Write a killer manuscript. Pay someone to edit it for you. Get help with your query letter. Take feedback. Query agents. Take more feedback. Build your platform. Take risks. No matter what the outcome, keep going ... and going, and going. That’s how you change—and not coincidentally, how you succeed.

—Camille