Four authors walk into an independent bookstore. It’s the middle of summer but they’re all wearing winter coats. The store owner introduces them to the waiting audience, then invites the audience to ask questions. To no one’s surprise, the first question is, “Why are you all wearing coats when it’s over 80 degrees?” The authors respond, “We’re always cold because we’re surrounded by drafts.”
Ba-dum tsh! (Pause for laughter ...)
Okay, bad joke, but a pretty cool reality, since last week I sat on a writer’s panel at an independent bookstore along with a children’s author, a YA author, and a memoirist. The topic of the panel was So You Wanna Be a Writer, and the venue was MonkeyKat Books, one of the most wonderful independent bookstores it has ever been my pleasure to visit.
The store absolutely bustles with energy, and the owner, Kat Rice*, has created so much more than a bookstore. MonkeyKat hosts classes, events, storytimes, book clubs . . .. It’s a community, a gathering place, pulsing with creativity and encouragement. And encouragement was what last week’s panel was all about.
The place was packed with aspiring authors, men and women, from twenty to eighty, all keen to learn inside secrets on the life and business of writing and publishing. While many (if not most) people express a desire to write a book at some point in their lives, the actual number who complete the process is tiny. According to a New York Times survey, 81% of people polled say they want to write a book but only about 15% actually start writing. Of those, only 3% may finish a manuscript, and less than 1% continue to publication.
So it’s no wonder MonkeyKat Books was full to the rafters with eager listeners!
One of the questions was, “How do you become a successful independent writer?” I love this question because it lets me use my favorite acronym, as I always give the same answer. I say, "You have to be a PISR: Passionate, Indomitable, a Slave to excellence, and Ruthless. You must be passionate about seeing your words in print, indomitable in spirit so no one can stop you, a slave to creating the best manuscript you possibly can, and ruthless about guarding your writing time.”
I’m no stranger to hard, dedicated work, but becoming a writer was tough, and becoming a reasonably successful one who sells more than a few books a year was tougher. It is, however, one of the best gifts life has given me, and I couldn’t be more grateful. That’s thanks in large part to you, because without readers, writers are just weirdos with overactive imaginations making little symbols on paper. 🤪
If you’re a writer or an aspiring writer, I’d love to hear from you! Even if you just need some encouraging words, I’d be delighted to be your cheerleader. tana@tanalhboerger.com
Until next month!
Cheers and Santé,
