Hi friend,
This summer—and time itself—has lost all meaning since the pandemic began. Lately, I’ve been feeling like this is August 2020 and that 2019 was “last year.” It’s the strangest feeling, having to remind myself that time has, indeed, passed. Yet, at the same time, March 2020 feels like ages ago. Pandemic is weird.
Or maybe the pandemic is an egregious example of how time works as a “grown up.” I just celebrated my 7th anniversary of becoming an author this month. And it’s BIZARRE. Since 2014, I feel like very little time has passed—and also an infinite amount of time. And somehow I’ve become a publishing veteran?? Yesterday I was a debut… then suddenly this was my stack:
I’m even missing some books in here: Caso Chiuso 3, Resuelve El Misterio 3, and Horší než čarodějnice (aka The Only Thing Worse Than Witches in Czech!). The idea that I can fill a shelf now… WILD!
Teatime talk
So this is less of an essay and more of a listicle. I’m trying something new. But hey—it’s my posting, and I’ll try if I want to!
7 THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE,
one thing I learned for each year I’ve been an author:
No one book will break your career.
A career is made of many books. One book with poor sales will NOT tank a career. (Repeating loudly for the debut authors in the back.) It helps me to think of each book as a stepping stone to the next book. Basically, I’m just sticking my foot in the door and wedging it wider and wider until I can fit my whole body in.
Bestsellers are made on purpose.
I don’t care what anyone tells me—a bestseller is engineered. To reach THAT level, you need publisher support: marketing, publicity, advertising, and house enthusiasm. (Not all books that get this type of support become bestsellers, but I’m really hard-pressed to think of bestsellers that didn’t have major support.)
This may sound depressing, but to me, it is freeing. If there’s only so much I can do on my own to move the needle, then I have the freedom to focus on the promotional activities I’m most passionate about (school visits, panels/events, Instagram posts that are an overshare), and I have the space to say no to promotional activities that are just not my jam.
You get to define your own success.
Some people define success as awards or bestseller lists, but that’s not the only valid form of success. You get to define what it looks like to you. For me, making kids laugh and turning them into lifelong readers is peak success!
Other authors are not your competition.
You are only in competition with yourself. As they say: Comparison is the thief of joy.
Hard work will always be more important than luck.
You can’t control luck. But you can control how hard you work. If you dwell on luck (and other factors outside of your control), you will spiral. If you keep your mind on the storytelling (and the few things within your control), you can continue to move forward.
Find friends.
Ones you can trust, ones who are loyal. Look for friends who are supportive (and not jealous) when you’re doing well. And look for friends who don’t drop you like a hot potato when you’re going through a rough patch. A real friend supports you in your high moments and low moments, both.
Ask for things.
Seriously. Don’t worry about being “annoying” or “bothersome.” No one is a mind reader. Tell people what you need, and ask for things you want. You never know what they’re going to say. The worst answer you can get is no… and then you’re no worse off than you were before.
Excited to learn more—and to see how tall my stack goes—in the next 7+ years!
What I’m writing
Case Closed 4 (Summer 2022): I just turned in a major revision and am waiting for my editors’ feedback. I actually scrapped some of my puzzles from the first draft, and I am in love with my second draft puzzles. Sometimes the first idea isn’t the strongest idea. Thank goodness for revision!
Also… news!!! I have a RELEASE DATE for the fourth Case Closed book! You can jump into a new adventure with Carlos, Eliza, and Frank on…. May 17, 2022!!! That’s less than 9 months away!!!!! And yes, you can preorder it:
More details—including title and cover—to come soon. I’ve seen the final cover, and it is PERFECTION.
The Mythics 1 (Fall 2022): I obsessed with the cover sketch!!! Still waiting on tenterhooks to see the interior illustrations from Mirelle Ortega!
What I’m reading
Hamnet for book club! Honestly, I rarely read my book club’s books… My group is a lot more literary than I am. (I attend book club for the company, and they all know it!) But I am ALL IN for this fictionalization of Shakespeare’s family.
Saying goodbye
I haven’t wanted to spend too much time talking about Covid, but… *sigh* Covid. It’s still here. I’ve been particularly fatigued and frustrated with it this week. I think: when you’ve been following all the rules and sacrificing so much, the spike in cases and the return of strict regulations is demoralizing (even if I’m grateful for the increased safety measures and understand why we have to step back). I wish things were different.
I’m practicing staying in the moment, an idea I got from my therapist. If I find myself worrying about this upcoming fall/winter with Covid, I need to pull myself back to the present moment by objectively observing the things around me. I’m also thinking of three things I’m grateful for every time I do this exercise. So here goes:
My writing career. The fact that it’s literally my job to make kids laugh.
My supportive, loving family and friends, who have been keeping me going through this hard time.
Ice cream. Obviously.
From my beloved Yardley Ice House! <3
Have a sweet rest of summer! Scoops ahoy,
Lauren
This was great! It definitely gave me a boost of confidence when I read it this morning. I'm looking forward to the new Case Closed book! :D
I love all of this. Your reflections and advice are so encouraging to me as a writer working on my first novel. And in a world where we're constantly struggling to reconcile the terribleness of people with the amazingness of what they create, it's a joy to know my 10-year old and I have a favorite author who is kind in addition to being hilarious and a great storyteller. (Also, seeing this newsletter in my inbox reminded me, I need to return Pilfer Academy to the library!)