From the Editor’s Desk

Getting Published: How Much Control Do You Think You Have?

Now, we’ll say right off that as editors and publishers, we know first-hand that this is a sensitive topic for most writers. It is a topic which, in our experience, many writers would rather not even think about unless they are forced to do so. But the issue is an important one that needs to be brought out of the closet and aired-out for a bit. And who better to take it on but us?

The first thing we need to do is to start out with a little background information on this whole business of control. To begin with, most Americans love to think they are in control. The problem with this belief is that there is often a big discrepancy between our perceptions about personal control (the level of personal control we *think* we have), and the actual amount of control we have over any particular situation. (Think: getting out of a speeding ticket, getting a raise or promotion, getting your neighbor’s cat to stop marking his territory on your welcome mat.)

Generally speaking, when it comes to beliefs about personal control over important life events, people tend to fall into one of two categories: high or low. Those folks who believe they have high levels of personal control over life events think that for the most part, they are in the driver’s seat…they believe that their own personal talents and skills are primarily the driving force in determining an outcome. Those people who have low levels of beliefs about personal control view outside factors like luck, fate, chance, God, or powerful others as being what ultimately determines the outcome in any given situation.

Now, how does all this translate into getting published? Well, regardless of whether one tends to be high or low (or somewhere in between) on other life issues, the amount of control writers believe they have for getting their work published can have a significant impact on (a) how much frustration they (and others in their lives) experience while attempting to get published, and (b) how much money they will spend in the process. Let’s take a look:

High Perceptions of Personal Control and Getting Published

The Straight-Up Side: Writers who perceive that they have high levels of personal control are real go-getters when it comes to trying to get their work published. These folks always send out 20 or more queries at a time (more, if they have the postage) and the words *exclusive read* are not in their vocabulary.

Writers with high perceptions of personal control are often very proactive when it comes to marketing their work. They are the ones shaking hands, smiling, and cajoling at the front of the lines during writers’ conferences (and you can always count on them to know when and where the best conferences are), and they never hesitate to call agents and publishers personally to discuss any number of things from whether their manuscripts have arrived, to what they should plan to wear on Oprah when their first book finally makes it out of the slush pile. (As publishers, we have experienced this *proactive approach* first-hand. Please take us off of your *speed dial*!)

When it comes to promoting their work, high control oriented writers think and act as if they are in the driver’s seat. We admire them for their positive, proactive, take-charge approach. They have a plan and a mission. And they are highly focused on accomplishing it. They believe that their own personal talents and skills are what will get them published and do not hesitate to enlighten anyone who thinks differently.

The Down-and-Dirty: Believing in one’s own talents, skills, and abilities is crucial for a lot of things in life, not the least of which is succeeding in the writing business. The problem arises, of course, when one believes that it is only one’s talent and skills that will get one published. Such beliefs are not only faulty, they can be seriously problematic. There are two basic reasons for this:

(1) such beliefs assume that ONLY talented writers get published (and, if this true, we are wondering why the mainstream publishing industry has the reputation for being as in-bred as an Appalachian family) and therefore those people who are having trouble getting published must not be talented, and (2) such beliefs ignore factors like luck, chance, and the laws of probability. (Statistically speaking, if you just consider the odds writers have for becoming successfully published with a book, they ought to all pack it in and go to plumbing school…at least plumbers have health insurance plans.)

The most troublesome factor for writers with beliefs of high personal control however, is what happens to them when the rejection slips start rolling in again. When one ignores factors like statistical odds and the laws of probability, and eschews things like fate, God (no, not the president of Random House) or powerful others (yes, THIS is the president of Random House), then one has nothing or no one but oneself to blame when the last *Z* in the literary agents/publishers guide comes back with a *No thanks.*

Sadly, while high control writers are a lively, directed, and ambitious bunch at the starting gate, they are the most likely group to experience depression, confusion, and self-doubt when the reality of the publishing industry sets in. Suddenly, all of the rules for being *in control* in other areas of their lives flies out the window when it comes to publishing. They find out that talent and skill may work for getting ahead at Staples, but it only amounts to one piece of the equation in this biz.

Fortunately, high control writers are often so confident about their talent and writing abilities that they seldom fork over outrageous sums of money to editing services. The belief that they are in complete control of their publishing destiny does not protect them from scams from unscrupulous agents, however. Being so determined to get anyone asking for an SASE to recognize their overwhelming brilliance and talent as a writer makes these folks prime targets for the infamous, *Your book is Fabulous! And please send your money at your earliest convenience* scam. A word of caution: we hope these writers have good auto insurance. Being in the driver’s seat is a pretty heavy responsibility if your publishing plans and dreams of Oprah crash and burn.

Low Perceptions of Personal Control and Getting Published

The Straight-Up Side: Writers who perceive that they have low levels of personal control over their publishing destiny often place far less stress and pressure on themselves than their high control counterparts. Low control writers believe that outside factors like luck, God, fate, or powerful others in the publishing industry are what ultimately determine whether their work will ever see the light of day. These writers are often more laid-back and do not feel a sense of *urgency* to get their work published. After all, there is little point in rushing or getting stressed if their guardian angels are not ready, or the planets are not aligned.

For these writers, whatever is meant to be, will be. They have the luxury of taking their time with their writing, and therefore send out only a few queries at a time, always adhering to agents’ and publishers’ wishes for *exclusive reads* (and for this, we are grateful!). Due to their laid-back approach, they may have better overall health and a sense of well being than their high control counterparts. And, more importantly, if they are rejected by every agent and publisher in the continental U.S., they have plenty of things other than themselves to blame it on.

The Down-and-Dirty: Writers with low perceptions of personal control may go years before being published. Just as likely, they will give up, believing after a time that becoming a published author is just *not in the cards* for them.

Though these writers may believe that outside factors are responsible for their *failure* to get published, it nonetheless does not protect them from becoming depressed and distraught over their situation. Feeling helpless and hopeless to ever be able to do anything that can help them reach their goals to become successfully published, low control writers may be more likely to resort to things like Ouija boards, exotic prayers, early morning cocktails, smudging, and their friends at the psychic website to get them through.

Like their high control counterparts, low control writers may be vulnerable to unscrupulous people in the book publishing industry. These writers, believing they have so little personal control to become successfully published in the *traditional* manner, may be particularly vulnerable to unscrupulous editing, publishing, and agent scams that assure them that as new writers there is no other way for them to get published unless they pay for their special *service.* (This is where the *powerful others* factor kicks in.) Unfortunately, being taken in by such con-artists may often be all it takes to turn a potential J.D. Salinger into that oddly cantankerous employee in Lane 3 of your nearest tollbooth. (Note: If you truly wish to be like J.D. Salinger, you get famous first, then become oddly cantankerous.)

Strike a Balance (and a pose, if you like)

Luckily, most writers are not of one extreme or the other. Instead, most writers hang around somewhere in the middle, and while writing success is important to them, they also know enough to move on with the business of living. They do not put their lives on hold waiting for the next, *Yes, I’d love to see it. Send the entire manuscript* (or, the next, *Not for me, thanks*). The important thing for all writers to remember is that no matter where you tend to be on the control scale…high, low, or a little of both…there are thousands and thousands of your fellow writers out there experiencing the same exact feelings and thoughts as you, and many of them will go on to become published authors in one form or another.

So, go on. Get those queries in tip-top shape and contact those agents to let them know just how your book will turn the publishing industry on its side. Just remember to rub your rabbit’s foot before you open your SASEs.

And, if the rabbit’s foot works, will you drop us a line and let us know?

-SC ©Razor’s Edge Publishing, Inc.

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