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| Ann Marie Stewart |
Writers often find that it can take years
to get published. Author Ann Marie Stewart shares how she used time to prepare for success. ~ Dawn
The road to publication is a curious journey.
Thirty-five
years ago, my dad encouraged me to record my grandparents’ harrowing
escape from Russia. That book is not
published—yet. But in the meantime, I’ve
learned a few things.
1. Set Goals
In the Extreme Novelist,
Kathryn Johnson contracts with each student to write 90 minutes a day. James Scott
Bell says to write the Nifty 350
(words) at the start of every day. Make yourself a contract to set a goal and
write each day, stick to it, and you will
finish your project.
2. Study
Twenty-five
years ago, I took a break from teaching English to have my own writing critiqued in an MA program.
I later took courses from a writers’ center to keep learning and to make
contacts. Study your craft.
3. Collect
People, Places, and Stories.
Someone once told me her parents always patted her three times
to say, “I love you.” That anecdote appeared in my novel. Write from life so
readers say, “I remember that!”
4. Make
Connections
Fifteen
years ago, my youngest headed to kindergarten, and I went to a Writers’
Conference. There I met two editors who so liked my Bible study proposal that I
signed a contract three months later. I also made connections with two other
agents instrumental in publishing my first novel.
5. Form a Critique
Group
Ten years
ago,
I began turning my college short story Seeing
from the Balcony into the novel Stars
in the Grass. I connected with two strong writers who became my critique
group. I would have never finished my novel without the discipline and
accountability required in that group. Find writers you respect. E-mail pages,
edit the work, and meet monthly to discuss suggestions.
6. Renew Connections
Five
years ago, I contacted Chip again, who I met at a writers’ conference,
to see if he’d become my agent. At first, he said, “No.” After extensive
revision, I sent it to Nick, an editor I met at the same conference, who asked
if he could show it to an agent friend of his. Chip. With Nick’s urging, Chip
re-read the more polished manuscript, became my agent, and sold the novel to
Barbour.
7. Market Your
Book
One year
ago,
when the box of books arrived at my door, the real challenges began. After
reading books on Social Media, I created a Facebook Launch Party, planned book
signings, re-worked my website and Facebook site, and joined Goodreads and
Twitter. This was tougher than writing.
Four
months ago, Stars in the Grass
won the Christy for Best Debut Novel 2017.
8. Restart
Now I’m
taking another course, pulling together a critique group, and contacting my
previous book doctor. After that, I’ll return to the book I began over three
decades ago. The journey to publication takes time, but I take heart that some
books need to steep while the author grows up and learns a few lessons along
the way.
Nine-year-old
Abby McAndrews has just experienced her greatest loss, and in its wake, her
family is unraveling with guilt, grief, and anger. Her father, Reverend
McAndrews, cannot return to the pulpit because he has more questions than
answers. Her older brother Matt’s actions speak louder than the words he needs
to confess, as he acts out in dangerous ways. Her mother tries to hold her
grieving family together, but when Abby’s dad refuses to move on, the family is
at a crossroads. Stars in the Grass, set in a small Midwestern town in 1970, is
an uplifting novel that explores a family’s relationships and resiliency.
Abby’s heartbreaking remembrances are balanced by humor and nostalgia as her
family struggles with—and ultimately celebrates—life after loss.
Ann’s first
novel, Stars in the Grass just won
the Christy Award for Best Debut Novel of 2017. Ann originated AMG’s Preparing My Heart series, writes the
column “Ann’s Lovin’ Ewe” for The Country
Register and blogs for Mentoring
Moments. She also directs musicals and teaches voice. In her free time, she
hangs out with her husband watching UVA Basketball, raising two lovely
daughters and a whole flock of fuzzy sheep on Skye Moor Farm, in Virginia—where
unscripted drama provides plenty of entertaining material.
To connect with Ann and learn more about her books, please
visit:
Author website: www.AnnMarieStewart.com
Twitter: @AnnMariStewart
