Let's be real: Do you write for yourself? 👈

Welcome to the fifth edition of Chapter Break, a newsletter with writing and publishing insights put together by me, your friendly neighborhood book editor! If you haven’t subscribed yet, join our amazing community of 2,500+ storytellers and story lovers by subscribing here:

How can we reconcile writing as an art with publishing as an industry?

One of the hardest leaps to make is being a writer who creates stories for fun to an author who creates stories to get published. While anyone can write for fun, the hard truth is that not everyone will ultimately get published, especially via the traditional route. As an aspiring author, the process can feel entirely random ⁠— as if your novel getting published is up to the whims of fate.

Getting published is a journey that requires a confident yet realistic mindset.

Although the publishing industry can feel wild and unruly at times, there are factors in your control during the querying process. In this interview, learn from literary agent Kiana Nguyen on how to get into the right querying mindset and where to place your priorities.

I hope you enjoy today’s interview. Please forward it to anyone who might find it interesting!

OUR SPECIAL GUEST TODAY IS…

Kiana Nguyen

Agent at Donald Maass Literary Agency

Currently open to queries via QueryTracker. Her current Manuscript Wishlist is listed on her website.

What do you look for in a potential client? What factors in a query package are most important to you?

Speaking of queries specifically: Character is the biggest draw for me. I want to see that they have a particular point of view that informs how they approach their goal or obstacle. This directly informs their character arc and voice; without a solid, specific opinion from the character, what reason would I have to care about them?

What current trends in the book publishing industry should emerging authors be aware of?

Focusing on trends is a waste of time if you're not a strategically fast writer. Just be honest with yourself and the work you want to create; that's your only advantage.

What is one thing you wish emerging authors knew about the publishing industry or the traditional publishing process?

This is a business that fundamentally runs on rejection ⁠— every book cannot be sold.

With that in mind, you will be able to remove any personal/emotional expectations and better focus on the elements you can control: your craft and your work. Keep your eyes on what you can control and you'll be more fulfilled and better able to handle the industry machine.

Why was your query rejected? Avoid these common querying mistakes.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a writer who aspires to be published?

Give yourself the power and confidence in creating stories for YOURSELF. F*** the industry, f*** some unknown future audience. You are your first inspiration and your first reader, and that should mean something. It should bring you joy.

What’s a book that you have recently read and loved, and what did you like so much about it?

I always always go back to Ashley Woodfolk. Her debut The Beauty That Remains so profoundly touched me as someone who has lost friends young, that it stripped away any desire to continue to hide from my own pain.

I feel the same way about When You Were Everything, which was also a hard read (in terms of took me a long time to finish) because it felt like stripping away flesh playacting at protecting me. She creates these inherently vulnerable and fragile stories that are gentle with their explorations of the human condition. She makes me want to look at myself and open up.

Thanks so much for reading!

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