The paths to publication are plentiful
Starting today, I'm sharing just some of them 💬
If you’ve been here a while, or even if you’re brand new (hello!), you’ll probably already know from my disparate musings that the road to becoming a published author is a slow and meandering one for 99.99999% of writers. Heck, I’ve been teasing nondescript ‘news’ for many weeks now, BUT I STILL CAN’T SHARE IT. Hopefully soon 🙏
Anyway, my point is that, for budding authors, it can be all-to-easy to scroll through the endless agent signings, debut novel unboxings and bookshop visits and think that the only person who hasn’t got anything ‘exciting’ going on is you. But what we don’t often get to see are the years of unglamorous toil that have led to these shiny moments on social media. So I’ve decided to share some of these stories, right here in this newsletter.
Starting today is a new (weekly? Fortnightly? Who knows!) series of author interviews to get insights into the various ways all types of writers get all types of books published in all types of ways. Because there’s no single path to publication.
So, without further, ado, here’s the first interview…
“Publishing is quiet and slow…until it isn't.”
Jack Strange, author of Look Up, Handsome
I’m thrilled Jack agreed to chat to me a) because his debut rom-com, Look Up, Handsome, came out just this week (congrats!) and b) because we’ve recently bonded over our shared adoration of cheesy Hallmark movies.
At what point in your life did you think to yourself ‘Yes, I want to write a book’?
When I was a kid, I was always writing, and always reading. Whether it was adapting existing stories like Star Wars, or creating a whole adventure series about my cats, I'd be writing. English was my favourite subject, and I remember a teacher teaching us about story structure. It stuck with me. I couldn't pinpoint when the knowledge came that this is what I wanted to do, but it was fairly early in my life. Probably when I discovered that people actually wrote books!
Do you have an agent? And what made you decide that choice was best for you?
I do have an agent, although I got my deal with a big five publisher on my own, and the agent followed afterwards. I feel like I went about it backwards. I wanted an agent because I wanted to be able to have the option of expanding my career, and working with other publishers.
How long did it take from starting to write your first book, to people being able to buy it?
I started writing Look Up, Handsome in November 2021, finished writing it at the end of 2022, and got it ready for submission. I let New Year go by and then started submitting in January 2023. By May 2023 I'd been offered my two-book deal with HarperCollins, and it published this week, on 26 September 2024.
Why did you choose to publish your book traditionally?
Many years ago I self-published, and it was tough. Being an indie author has changed so much since I gave it a go. Back then, there wasn’t nearly as much support as there is now. I look back now and know that I wasn't ready - and neither were my books. But it's always been a goal of mine to be traditionally published. When writing Look Up, Handsome, I had this feeling that this was the one. I was adamant it would be.
What part of the writing or publishing process do you find the most annoying?
I find submissions so soul-destroying. Every submission guideline is different, and it's a huge faff to get your book properly formatted. Then you have to edit it - how!? - but don't over edit it, but also don't not edit it. I'm a writer, not an editor! I always found that difficult to balance. So you never truly feel ready, and you know it needs a proper looking at, but you can't always afford that. When rejections come through, from agents and publishers, it can feel like you’ll never make it. You feel like giving up.
Plotting or pantsing: what’s your happy place?
Normally always pantsing - to the point where I even say I'm commando because I have a brief idea and I run with it and see where it takes me. Fix it later, and all that. But lately I've been plotting more. Nothing too solid, just enough to make me work towards something. That might have something to do with writing in a different genre, but I feel like, slowly, I'm realising the importance of plotting, and learning how to do that effectively.
What was your first ‘I can’t believe this is happening’ moment as an author?
There have been a few! When I visited the HarperCollins offices and met my team. When I saw my cover and cried. When I got to see the printed proof for the first time - and cried. When I got the finished copy of the book - and cried! The other day in the bookshop I work in, it came in as stock. Thankfully I was on my own because, you guessed it, I cried. I still can't quite believe it, though, in all honesty.
What one thing is the most surprising thing about being an author?
That it never goes the way you expect it to. That you spend so many years imagining what it will look like and it's nothing like that. Publishing is quiet and slow…until it isn't. It's up and down and you still feel the highs and lows of being a writer. Was that a fluke? Oh, people aren't loving it? Oh, they are loving it? Wait, so you want another book from me? What if I can't do this again? What if I can never write again? Oh, my book died on submission? It's a weird cycle!
If you could change anything about your path to publication, what would it be?
I don't think I'd change anything. I've loved my experience with my imprint One More Chapter. They've been so supportive and collaborative and have made my dreams come true.
What would be your dream achievement as a writer?
Definitely to have a film made. Look Up, Handsome is primed and ready for a Hallmark adaptation! I'd also love the little things, like getting a hardback. Having posters on the tube. Long or shortlisted for awards. Ten more books in the pipeline. But my ultimate one? It's to be a full-time writer. To be able to sustain myself as a novelist. That would be the dream.
Thanks so much to Jack for sharing his path to publication with us! You can follow Jack on Instagram here, TikTok here and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Are you an author who’d like to share your own publication journey in this newsletter? Get in touch!
Things I’ve done recently
I’ve been continuing to help plug the crowd-funding campaign for
’s forthcoming Entwined anthology (still a few days left to pledge your support!), in which I have an essay featured. As part of the promo, I had my first ever podcast interview, which you can listen to here (or 👀 watch 👀below – eek!)
Things I’ve enjoyed recently
This Substack post by
– about authors publicly criticising the work of other authors – is particularly apt for me at the moment. Definitely tons of food for thought:
I’m also been devouring author
’s newsletter, especially this piece about her fascination (which I share) about how one person’s ‘normal’ is another person’s ‘WTAF’ when it comes to how their brains work:
(Her interview with one of my favourite authors, Mhairi McFarlane, is also excellent).
📚 I went along to co-writing buddy
’s book launch for her incredible debut novel, Costanza. Feminism, fiery passion and 17th-century Rome – need I say more?!🎧 I’m a big fan of the self-titled debut album from 86TVs and saw them play live at Rough Trade East a few weeks back. I got to see one of the latest Banksy pieces while I was in the area, too 🐒
🎬 Finally, over the summer holidays, I watched Inside Out 2 with my nine-year-old son. It’s a storytelling masterpiece, and I’m so thrilled my kids get to devour such important messages about what it means to be human – including all our vital imperfections – at such formative ages. And yes, I wept.
I never intend to paywall this newsletter, but if you enjoy reading it, please forward it to someone else who might, too! You’re also welcome to buy me a virtual coffee / box of Coco Pops if you’re able to.
