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#9 of Top Mistakes to Avoid as an Author

#9 Of Top Mistakes To Avoid As An Author

Top Mistakes to Avoid as an Author #9: Acting Like a Diva

I shouldn’t have to say this, but I will anyway. Please, regardless of how frustrated you may become with the publishing process, do not express your frustration in any way, shape, or form that anyone can interpret as diva-like. That doesn’t mean you can’t have an opinion, or that you can’t let your team know when you disagree with a decision being made on behalf of you or your book.

The key is to maintain a diplomatic and civilized tone throughout…try to avoid the mistake of swearing and—this is essential—refrain from using ALL CAPS in your email correspondence with your editor or anyone on the publishing team.

Prioritize your business relationships

Remember, publishing is all about building relationships. Your goal should be to maintain a happy and profitable partnership with your publisher over a number of books. Also keep in mind that the publishing industry is a tiny community. Word gets around like wildfire when an author starts putting on airs and acting just generally disagreeable. You want people to like you, especially people who can help you on your path to becoming a bestselling author.

Keep your team’s energy positive

I’m not saying that you have to be a pushover because there will be times where you’ll need to be strong and not be afraid to put your foot down. But when you start complaining about deadlines or the number of edits you are being asked to make, or refusing to show up for publicity events, those publishing professionals who genuinely want you to succeed—because they also succeed from your success—are going to get annoyed. They are not going to want to work with you and they aren’t going to put a huge effort into promoting you or your book, which is only going to upset you further.

I’ve worked with my share of diva authors both as an editor and as an agent. Believe me, you want your team to be excited for the day your book publishes because they want to see it do well, not because they’ve been counting the days until they don’t have to work with you again.

If you missed them, here are more Top Mistakes to Avoid as an Author…

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my List of Top Mistakes to Avoid as an Author. And I hope you keep them in mind—and refer to them often—as you embark on your publishing careers. If you have any questions at all about anything publishing-related, do not hesitate to contact me at jon_malysiak@yahoo.com or follow me on Twitter @jonmalysiak. Be sure also to follow my blog http://author-on-the-town.blogspot.com.

Jon Malysiak is part of the Networlding Publishing Team. He works to support our ongoing efforts to educate thought leaders on the best practices for success in this new world of publishing.

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