Mistakes Learned & Lessons Learned by Emily Wickham

When I embarked on my writing journey 13+ years ago, I didn’t realize where God would guide my steps. I’ve attempted to walk this road with excellence, yet I’ve made mistakes along the way. However, God has grown me through those experiences, and I pray He uses the lessons I’ve learned to help you.

MISTAKE #1: Seeing the Publication Path as a Sprint Rather than a Marathon

Writing is hard work. Building a platform can be even harder work. Then there’s the art of marketing before and after your book is published—a requirement if you desire to sell books. Did I mention that God’s call to write involves hard work? It often requires years, too.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9, KJV).

LESSON #1: Success as a writer includes patience and diligence.

MISTAKE #2: Being Unprepared

I once followed some well-meaning but incorrect advice when I met with a conference faculty member. Instead of taking a book proposal with me, I simply presented a one sheet. It looked fabulous. It got the agent’s attention. But then he wanted to read a writing sample, which I didn’t have. The agent peered at me over the top of his reading glasses while I fumbled for words, quickly concluding our time was complete since I couldn’t produce anything for him to read. And that was that. I’ve never forgotten.

“Go to the ant ... Observe her ways and be wise, which... prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8, NASB).

LESSON #2: Always be prepared.

MISTAKE #3: Lagging Behind on Conference Requests

About two years ago, a VP and associate publisher expressed interest in two of my manuscripts. She requested proposals for both, and I was thrilled.

I returned home from the conference fully intending to submit my proposals. However, I didn’t sense any urgency because professionals prefer quality submissions over hastily sent material. After revising one proposal, I e-mailed it almost five months later.

Perhaps it would have turned out great except the industry professional I’d met no longer worked for the publisher. I contacted the company directly and explained the situation, but they never replied once they discovered I lack agent representation.

I’ll never know what might have been.

“Be careful how you walk ... making the most of your time” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

LESSON #3: Submit requested materials in a timely manner.

God always helps us when we ask because He cares about our needs. Let’s learn from the past and move forward with the Lord. His timing is perfect, He equips those He calls, and He entrusts us with writing opportunities.

Learn from one writer’s mistakes and the lessons she’s learned. #WritersLife #WritingCommunity via @emilywickhamPH @MaryAFelkins

Note: This article is adapted from a longer version first posted at www.proclaiminghimtowomen.com

EMILY WICKHAM seeks to stir hearts toward Jesus. She writes for Journey Magazine, a LifeWay publication, speaks at ladies’ events, and shares “Devotions for Women” videos on social media. Emily encourages Christian women plus equips Christian writers on her blog, www.proclaiminghimtowomen.com. She is the author of one Bible study, which was translated into Spanish in 2016. Emily, a resident of North Carolina, is Mark’s wife of 29+ years. They are the blessed parents of four children and one daughter-in-love. God’s faithfulness and love inspire Emily on her journey through life as she purposes to exalt Christ through written and spoken words.

Connect with Emily:
Website: www.proclaiminghimtowomen.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/emilywickham.author
Twitter: www.twitter.com/emilywickhamPH
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/estherstudy
Instagram: www.instagram.com/emilywickham.author

Book Blurb:
Whether you’re a Spanish-speaking sister who longs to grow closer to Christ, or you’re looking for a Spanish Bible study to use for outreach in your community, please consider using Alcanzando la Justicia. It guides women through the book of Esther, challenging them to grow in righteous behavior—to make God-honoring choices each day. Daily prayers, Scripture readings, observation sections, author reflections, and application questions are included. This workbook is designed for individual or group use and contains instructions for following a one month, ten week, or thirty-one week schedule.

See Emily’s website for special offers or purchase her book on Amazon.

Back from Conference? Get to Work! by Angela Arndt

Welcome Back!
Have you ever gotten home from a writing conference and all you wanted to do was unpack and sleep? Sorry. Your job just started.

Angela Arndt

Don't believe me? Consider these:

Thank You Notes
Send a hand-written note instead to every editor, an agent or mentor you met, even those who turned you down. Consider sending a note to the workshop or continuing education instructors, too.

If you really want to show your appreciation, include specific things from your conversation. List the follow-ups that they suggested and tell them how you are going to do them.

Last year, award-winning author, James L Rubart, suggested that your thank-you note echo the theme of your book. My book is set on a bee farm, so I sent a small jar of honey with my handwritten note. If you met in the coffee shop where an agent ordered tea, send them a small box of their fav. Details show that you care.

3-2-1 Contacts!
Are you wondering what to do with all those business cards? There are several apps that will pull the information from them to import directly into your Contacts program.

Be sure to note where you met them and how you connected. Did you sit beside them in a workshop? What did you talk about? Put that information in the Notes section

Why bother? These are new members of your writing tribe. Everyone needs new friends.

Facebook: Like, Follow or Friend? 
Should you “Like” their business profile or send a friend request to their personal profile? The answer to that question is this: how well do you know them?

• Business Page - if they are multi-published authors with followers in the thousands and the only interaction you had with them was to ask them to pass the pepper, you should probably "Like" or “Follow” their business page.
• Friend Request - if the two of you had long discussions and he or she said, “Here’s my card, be sure to friend me on Facebook,” then do it. 

If You Got a Request
If someone asked to see your work, go to the agency or publisher website for submission requirements and follow them. If you can’t find enough information there, check out the requester’s personal website. You may be able to find what you need there.

If “No” was the Answer
What if the agent or editor declined? Don’t worry, the answer could have been, “Not right now” instead of “No.” Check out Wendy Lawton’s blog post, Fatal Submission Fails or Steve Laube's Even the Best Get Rejected for real encouragement if your interview was a disaster.

There you are. You have plenty to do. What are you waiting for? Get busy!

About the Author

Angela Arndt writes women’s fiction with a thread of romance. Stories of strong, independent women in difficult situations set in small Southern towns are her favorite. She and her husband live outside one in the middle of a big wood with thousands and thousands of honeybees. Visit her at www.angelaarndt.com or connect with on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.