I would suggest buying a copy of my book (the actual book this substack is based on) called “Before and After the Book Deal.” It will teach you absolutely everything you need to know about publishing! https://books.catapult.co/books/before-and-after-the-book-deal/
Getting a book produced -physical and ebook - and getting it up on sites. I know PR is the author's responsibility (it always has been) and that is in itself a full time job.
I am interested in indie publishing but articles on it seem to be all over the place. I often ghost write for other people and I need to be able to help them with this aspect. A "primer course" on this topic would be great. Thanks.
Since I'm slowly making progress on the first draft of my novel, my favorite posts tend to fall into the "Before The Book Deal" category. "Before The Query Letter" even, since I'm not there yet, though it's always interesting to learn about that process from your newsletter. Here are some questions/ideas that come to mind:
What percentage of writing retreats/residencies are the kind you don't have to pay to attend (like Yaddo)? How do writers land spots there (do you have to be already kind of well-known or well-connected)?
I'm also curious how writers land gigs teaching at writing retreats like the one in Mexico you just wrote about. Do you apply for that or do the organizers reach out to you?
Posts about literary journals and the role they have to play in today's publishing/writing landscape
Posts about pitching freelance pieces and how to work your way up to bigger names or how to think about that trajectory
Perhaps some philosophical pieces on what the writing life looks like for people who don't get their book published but keep going in some capacity or another, whether that's starting the next book, writing and publishing essays or short stories, etc.
More posts about platform and how to think about it (I know you've done some good content around this already)
And finally, I always enjoy your craft posts and usually take away some useful tidbits from them. Something on my mind with my novel draft is how to balance exterior descriptions and interiority (I'm writing literary fiction) with dialogue and action in scenes and chapters. And how to move from chapter to chapter in a way that's logical (i.e. not too much of a jump forward in time) but not boring/slow paced. I'm reading Intermezzo by Sally Rooney and she's one of my all-time favorite authors, but in this book I sometimes find myself annoyed with all the exterior descriptions and want to get into the characters' heads more or see them do something that raises the stakes.
Sorry that was long, but hopefully helpful. Oh, and please continue letting us follow along with the publication process for your book. :-)
Also, I have an online class that teaches you how to pitch freelance pieces and I also have a class about platform-- both classes are on my website and are discounted to $39 for 2025. Ignore any language about the class being in 2024-- they were recorded last year but I made them available this year at a discount. https://www.courtneymaum.com/courses
Thanks for all of this! I’ll note all these questions. Really quickly— the San Miguel Writers Conference accepts proposals for teachers to teach. That’s unique in my experience— the other conferences I’ve taught at were by invitation but there are lots of writing centers where you can pitch classes. Have you read the book my Substack is based on, “Before and After the Book Deal?” The entire first part covers a lot of what you are asking. https://books.catapult.co/books/before-and-after-the-book-deal/
Suggestions for a future post: serious advice on HOW to place nonfiction articles for “visibility” when getting ready to promote a novel. (I’m close to querying agents at this point.) I’m a freelance writer so I understand about pitching editors, and have done this successfully. But I’ve nevertheless had no luck with pitching articles loosely/thematically related to my novel. Perhaps I need advice on idea generation? Finding appropriate venues? Etc.
Also, what do you think about the impact of being on podcasts, and how to go about that?
I know you’ve said it’s important to publish short stories to help support a novel. I haven’t had any luck with that yet either. Starting to think my stories must be crappy, which of course makes me worry about my novel. (I’ve gotten positive feedback on both, but that hasn’t translated into actual publication.) Advice on short story publishing would be helpful.
Great questions-- if you haven't taken it already, I have a 3 hour masterclass called "All About Pitching" you can find on my website. It's discounted to $39 for 2025. You might find it very helpful for the pitching segment of this question. https://www.courtneymaum.com/courses
The website says the class is in November. I'm assuming it's a recording of a class that was originally in a November. Should I ignore the date? (Btw, I recently took your 1-hour Domestika class on writing memoir because I'm hoping to eventually do some memoir ghostwriting. It was very helpful!)
There should be copy somewhere that explains that all the courses were pre-recorded so yes— you sign up and I deliver the video to you and you can watch it on your own timetable. I’m glad you liked the memoir class!
I am a massive Shirley Jackson fan, but going off your synopsis, this thriller doesn’t sound like that Hill House has much to do with Jackson’s, in a thematic sense at least. Maybe most of all because it’s classified as a “thriller.” Read Jackson’s Hill House for sure, but if you want a better idea of what the experience of reading it is like before you try it, think Carmen Maria Machado’s The Resident —THAT is a proper homage to Jackson.
Yes, it's in Her Body and Other Parties. It really captures the claustrophobia and the horror of not trusting your own reality that's inherent to Haunting of Hill House.
Oh, and on a potential topic: I would love to know more about the ins and outs of querying agents in other countries (I'm thinking France for my own memoir, because I have a platform there, not here). I've been told to query here (U.S.) first, which I intend to, but honestly with the uphill battle of memoir, I don't know how long I can live in submission limbo land.
Lots of other countries allow writers to go directly to editors and publishing houses without an agent. That’s slowly starting to change because of the American model but given what Europeans think of Americans currently— it won’t be changing fast!
I love Libby! Currently listening to Michael McDonald's (of Doobie Bros fame) memoir, What a Fool Believes. On the opposite end of the musical spectrum, reading Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk by Kathleen Hanna from 90s band Bikini Kill. Also reading Theresa Okokon's new memoir-in-essays, Who I Always Was. But for pure escape? I'm reading Miss Marple.
Aww! Thank you! If you feel so inclined tell others about it! That book came out right after Trump was “elected” the first time and nobody read fiction for an entire year so my second novel kind of disappeared. Thank you so very much for reading it!
Welcome back, Courtney! I'm glad you had a good trip, even if it involved a tumble.
Books I've read in the last two weeks: Hunger, Educated, The Glass Castle, and Bad Feminist. What I'm currently reading: How To Raise A Feminist Son. What I plan to read next (in no particular order): Doppelganger, On Beauty, Yellowface, and The Translator's Daughter.
On topics: How to stay sane while querying. I know you have a wonderful section about this in Before and After The Book Deal and I think I'm doing pretty much everything I can. So. Perhaps, how to stay sane as a querying personal memoirist?
Love so many of the titles you mentioned! At the end of this post there are strategies on what to do/how to stay sane while waiting to hear back from agents. You're right it's worth me updating to reflect the personal misery of the querying memoirist but this is a start (again, scroll to end for the part that concerns you): https://courtneymaum.substack.com/p/querying-strategies-for-a-messy-world
I'll be curious what you think of The Yellow House. I loved parts of it but felt overall like it was clearly independently-published pieces just thrown together... that the pacing and style was too different section to section, such that it didn't totally cohere to me. (I'm typing this at the remove of 4-5 years so sorry for not being more specific! I just know I was disappointed and hesitate somewhat to recommend it even though parts were fabulous.)
Is there anything that one must not do with an unpublished novel... like there might be a grant for a city-wide response to it from various artists: film maker, a painter, sculptor etc... How does this kind of thing fit into the agenting/publishing process?
Also, I'm reading Miranda July's All Fours and can recommend a debut from Aube Rey Lescure -- River East River West
Also for entities, the following stone is helpful: Purple amber (but remember to clean it between visitations etc)
I'll be at AWP for the first time and I am pretty excited to have my book finished and ready to query in time to talk to people about it at AWP. Topics: The book proposal when you're writing memoir - how to adapt the proposal format to memoir (if that is a thing) or any tips for book proposals for memoir/memoir-plus. Thanks - I always read your missives and find them helpful and informative.
Thank you, Will do. Will also see you in Kent on 4/3.
Amazing! Looking forward.
Could be. This is pretty new to me.
I would suggest buying a copy of my book (the actual book this substack is based on) called “Before and After the Book Deal.” It will teach you absolutely everything you need to know about publishing! https://books.catapult.co/books/before-and-after-the-book-deal/
Getting a book produced -physical and ebook - and getting it up on sites. I know PR is the author's responsibility (it always has been) and that is in itself a full time job.
Happily, the production and distribution is the job of the indie book publisher. Perhaps you are referring to self publication?
I am interested in indie publishing but articles on it seem to be all over the place. I often ghost write for other people and I need to be able to help them with this aspect. A "primer course" on this topic would be great. Thanks.
What specific aspects of indie publishing?
Since I'm slowly making progress on the first draft of my novel, my favorite posts tend to fall into the "Before The Book Deal" category. "Before The Query Letter" even, since I'm not there yet, though it's always interesting to learn about that process from your newsletter. Here are some questions/ideas that come to mind:
What percentage of writing retreats/residencies are the kind you don't have to pay to attend (like Yaddo)? How do writers land spots there (do you have to be already kind of well-known or well-connected)?
I'm also curious how writers land gigs teaching at writing retreats like the one in Mexico you just wrote about. Do you apply for that or do the organizers reach out to you?
Posts about literary journals and the role they have to play in today's publishing/writing landscape
Posts about pitching freelance pieces and how to work your way up to bigger names or how to think about that trajectory
Perhaps some philosophical pieces on what the writing life looks like for people who don't get their book published but keep going in some capacity or another, whether that's starting the next book, writing and publishing essays or short stories, etc.
More posts about platform and how to think about it (I know you've done some good content around this already)
And finally, I always enjoy your craft posts and usually take away some useful tidbits from them. Something on my mind with my novel draft is how to balance exterior descriptions and interiority (I'm writing literary fiction) with dialogue and action in scenes and chapters. And how to move from chapter to chapter in a way that's logical (i.e. not too much of a jump forward in time) but not boring/slow paced. I'm reading Intermezzo by Sally Rooney and she's one of my all-time favorite authors, but in this book I sometimes find myself annoyed with all the exterior descriptions and want to get into the characters' heads more or see them do something that raises the stakes.
Sorry that was long, but hopefully helpful. Oh, and please continue letting us follow along with the publication process for your book. :-)
Also, I have an online class that teaches you how to pitch freelance pieces and I also have a class about platform-- both classes are on my website and are discounted to $39 for 2025. Ignore any language about the class being in 2024-- they were recorded last year but I made them available this year at a discount. https://www.courtneymaum.com/courses
Thanks for all of this! I’ll note all these questions. Really quickly— the San Miguel Writers Conference accepts proposals for teachers to teach. That’s unique in my experience— the other conferences I’ve taught at were by invitation but there are lots of writing centers where you can pitch classes. Have you read the book my Substack is based on, “Before and After the Book Deal?” The entire first part covers a lot of what you are asking. https://books.catapult.co/books/before-and-after-the-book-deal/
Suggestions for a future post: serious advice on HOW to place nonfiction articles for “visibility” when getting ready to promote a novel. (I’m close to querying agents at this point.) I’m a freelance writer so I understand about pitching editors, and have done this successfully. But I’ve nevertheless had no luck with pitching articles loosely/thematically related to my novel. Perhaps I need advice on idea generation? Finding appropriate venues? Etc.
Also, what do you think about the impact of being on podcasts, and how to go about that?
I know you’ve said it’s important to publish short stories to help support a novel. I haven’t had any luck with that yet either. Starting to think my stories must be crappy, which of course makes me worry about my novel. (I’ve gotten positive feedback on both, but that hasn’t translated into actual publication.) Advice on short story publishing would be helpful.
Great questions-- if you haven't taken it already, I have a 3 hour masterclass called "All About Pitching" you can find on my website. It's discounted to $39 for 2025. You might find it very helpful for the pitching segment of this question. https://www.courtneymaum.com/courses
The website says the class is in November. I'm assuming it's a recording of a class that was originally in a November. Should I ignore the date? (Btw, I recently took your 1-hour Domestika class on writing memoir because I'm hoping to eventually do some memoir ghostwriting. It was very helpful!)
There should be copy somewhere that explains that all the courses were pre-recorded so yes— you sign up and I deliver the video to you and you can watch it on your own timetable. I’m glad you liked the memoir class!
Thank you! I have not taken that and will have a look!
I am a massive Shirley Jackson fan, but going off your synopsis, this thriller doesn’t sound like that Hill House has much to do with Jackson’s, in a thematic sense at least. Maybe most of all because it’s classified as a “thriller.” Read Jackson’s Hill House for sure, but if you want a better idea of what the experience of reading it is like before you try it, think Carmen Maria Machado’s The Resident —THAT is a proper homage to Jackson.
Oh beautiful! I love her writing so much and wasn’t aware of this— I’m assuming it’s a short story?
Yes, it's in Her Body and Other Parties. It really captures the claustrophobia and the horror of not trusting your own reality that's inherent to Haunting of Hill House.
Oh, and on a potential topic: I would love to know more about the ins and outs of querying agents in other countries (I'm thinking France for my own memoir, because I have a platform there, not here). I've been told to query here (U.S.) first, which I intend to, but honestly with the uphill battle of memoir, I don't know how long I can live in submission limbo land.
Lots of other countries allow writers to go directly to editors and publishing houses without an agent. That’s slowly starting to change because of the American model but given what Europeans think of Americans currently— it won’t be changing fast!
Thanks! Good to know, and definitely something I will be checking into...
I love Libby! Currently listening to Michael McDonald's (of Doobie Bros fame) memoir, What a Fool Believes. On the opposite end of the musical spectrum, reading Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk by Kathleen Hanna from 90s band Bikini Kill. Also reading Theresa Okokon's new memoir-in-essays, Who I Always Was. But for pure escape? I'm reading Miss Marple.
No book recs because my spring break vacation read was the oh so delightful Touch! So this is just a fangirl comment. Truly loved it.
Aww! Thank you! If you feel so inclined tell others about it! That book came out right after Trump was “elected” the first time and nobody read fiction for an entire year so my second novel kind of disappeared. Thank you so very much for reading it!
Welcome back, Courtney! I'm glad you had a good trip, even if it involved a tumble.
Books I've read in the last two weeks: Hunger, Educated, The Glass Castle, and Bad Feminist. What I'm currently reading: How To Raise A Feminist Son. What I plan to read next (in no particular order): Doppelganger, On Beauty, Yellowface, and The Translator's Daughter.
On topics: How to stay sane while querying. I know you have a wonderful section about this in Before and After The Book Deal and I think I'm doing pretty much everything I can. So. Perhaps, how to stay sane as a querying personal memoirist?
My best to you, always.
Love so many of the titles you mentioned! At the end of this post there are strategies on what to do/how to stay sane while waiting to hear back from agents. You're right it's worth me updating to reflect the personal misery of the querying memoirist but this is a start (again, scroll to end for the part that concerns you): https://courtneymaum.substack.com/p/querying-strategies-for-a-messy-world
I so appreciate this. Thank you!
I'll be curious what you think of The Yellow House. I loved parts of it but felt overall like it was clearly independently-published pieces just thrown together... that the pacing and style was too different section to section, such that it didn't totally cohere to me. (I'm typing this at the remove of 4-5 years so sorry for not being more specific! I just know I was disappointed and hesitate somewhat to recommend it even though parts were fabulous.)
https://open.substack.com/pub/lazarus9/p/sacred-sinners-skinpoem?r=58p6te&utm_medium=ios
Amy Shearn's Animal Instinct is SO FUN! So good!
Is there anything that one must not do with an unpublished novel... like there might be a grant for a city-wide response to it from various artists: film maker, a painter, sculptor etc... How does this kind of thing fit into the agenting/publishing process?
Also, I'm reading Miranda July's All Fours and can recommend a debut from Aube Rey Lescure -- River East River West
Also for entities, the following stone is helpful: Purple amber (but remember to clean it between visitations etc)
I love Aube Rey Lescure! She’s a brilliant writer and also an incredible editor if anyone needs developmental edits!
I'll be at AWP for the first time and I am pretty excited to have my book finished and ready to query in time to talk to people about it at AWP. Topics: The book proposal when you're writing memoir - how to adapt the proposal format to memoir (if that is a thing) or any tips for book proposals for memoir/memoir-plus. Thanks - I always read your missives and find them helpful and informative.