Mea Culpa: Learn From My Mistakes

“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.”  ~The Bible

"Authors, obey your editors in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the publishing house." 

I'm a young author, but I've already managed to upset my editors in many unique ways. These were not malicious errors.  Rather, these were the kinds of errors where eagerness went too far. I hope you can learn from my mistakes so you remain on the good side of your editors.

1.  Don't Ask If They Are a Vanity Publisher

My first two publishers are smaller, independent publishers.  When I was new to the industry, I knew nothing between vanity publishers, small publishers, and self-publishers.  I inquired to my first editor in an e-mail about vanity publishing before signing a contract to ensure I was making the right move.  WRONG MOVE! I eventually cleared up the issue by speaking with her over the phone and found out they were not, in fact, a vanity publisher.

2.  Don't Announce Your Contract Before a Lawyer Has Reviewed It

I received my second publishing contract through PM Moon Publishers, LLC in April of this year.  In my excitement, I announced my contract after signing it (but before the corporate lawyer reviewed it).  Soon after, my publisher found an error in the contract.  Since I had announced it already, it cost me another notary fee and a some additional hassle to fix the problem.  In addition, I was supposed to wait for an official press release before announcing the contract.  Oops!

3.  Don't Post Your New Book Title After Verbal Approval 

You think I'd learn after the contract debacle....  The original name for my second novel was CROSS.  James Patterson also published a book entitled CROSS, so I decided to change the title to avoid putting his sales to shame (ha ha) and appeal to a younger audience.  After long consideration and verbal approval from my publisher, I renamed the novel Mice Don't Taste Like Chicken.  I was so proud of the title, I posted it on my Facebook status.  Five minutes later, I realized my error and cleared my status.  I forgot to erase the status completely. Guess who found it a few days later (before the official press release came out)?  

4.  Don't Talk About Your Published Novel on an Interview Your New Publisher Set Up

My first novel came out in October 2008.  I take any opportunity I can to broaden my audience and share my work.  A few weeks ago, the current publisher of my upcoming novel scheduled an interview on Blog Talk radio to talk about my contest award and publishing contract.  We spoke about that, but the conversation eventually turned to my published novel.  Turns out, the majority of the conversation turned to my published novel.  I'm still licking the wounds from the e-mail after that one. :)

My next task to screw up?  Complete 100 HUBs in 30 days.  How am I doing so far?

~Scott Heydt

"Live, Learn, Teach"

www.scotthbooks.com

http://scotthbooks.blogspot.com