Focus on your Actual Goal
We often conflate two very distinct, separate goals:
- To write
- To get published
One is fully within our control. We work at our craft; we improve our skill. We get better. We write.
The other is fully outside our control. Even if you query for a literary agent for traditional publishing, even if you apply for hybrid publishing, even if you self-publish (which sounds like it should be in your control), it’s not—because what we actually mean when we say we want to get published is that we want recognition (i.e: sales, awards, readers, etc.) We want status. And status is defined as the relative social or professional standing of someone. Only other people can bestow status on you. You cannot engineer it for yourself. Even you have the best marketing campaign, you’re still dependent on other people picking up your message and running with it.
But this is actually a good thing—because the pressure is off. Instead, all you have to do with write the best book you can. Yes, of course, put it out there and see what happens. But after that? It’s out of your hands.
Isn’t that a relief? 🙂