What happens after you get published? Not what you think 😯

Today's guest is author Catherine Dang

Let’s talk about a little-known part of the publishing process: the post-publication blues.

The moment your book hits the shelves is often imagined as the ultimate peak — all the years of hard work and patience have led to this day. It’s an amazing high, but it sadly doesn’t last forever.

Remember that your worth is not tied to your book launch.

Think about your life outside of your book, because ultimately, you do have hobbies, friends, and a life that exists outside of your stories. Let them bring you as much fulfillment as your books and characters do.

In today’s interview, author Catherine Dang shares how to get through the post-pub day blues, what life is like after being published, and how other art forms can spark creativity.

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OUR SPECIAL GUEST TODAY IS…

Catherine Dang

Author

Latest novel available now: WHAT HUNGER

What’s one thing about the publishing process no one tells you, but should?

Publishing is a long journey. Even when you reach one milestone, there’s always another one behind it. First it’s completing a manuscript. Then it’s signing with an agent, going on submission, getting a publishing deal, finalizing your manuscript, getting blurbs, then waiting on trade reviews and press coverage. By the time you reach Pub Day, it feels like a miracle. You’ve worked against all odds to get your book published.

But no one really talks about the days after. It’s like a bad sugar crash. You’ve put at least two years into your book, and you’re buoyed by all these hopes and expectations. Then you bask in the glory that is Pub Day, seeing your book in stores and hosting your book launch.

…But then you blink, and life goes back to normal. You’re back in the same old routines. The buzz disappears, your loved ones don’t ask about your book as much, and the negative reviews somehow find their way to you (even when you’re not looking!). The days afterward can be humbling and disappointing.

It’s a very normal part of publishing, though. I just wish someone had told me that the “high” of Pub Day goes away quickly and that it’s important to remind yourself of who you are outside of your book. Focus on your hobbies, your loved ones, your next projects. And just know that the buzz and hype dies down for all books eventually.

What’s a myth about publishing or being an author that you wish more people understood?

For most of us authors, our lives don’t drastically change after we publish. We don’t all get rich and famous off the book that we’ve poured so much time and stress and energy into. Many of us will continue to work at our regular jobs and continue our same routines. Some of the people around us will be impressed by our books, but just as many others won’t care.

There’s also an expectation that after completing one book, we should be more confident and motivated to crank out the next one. We think the second book will be easier. But that’s a lie. There’s a whole new level of doubt, anxiety, pressure, and fear that comes with the second novel.

I don’t say any of this to be negative. I say it as fact. And I say there’s a beauty in persisting despite it all. That despite the disappointment, the grief, and the lack of fanfare, authors continue to write because they have to. Even though there are no guarantees of fame or wealth or acclaim, we tell our stories anyway. Authors are a delusional, resilient bunch.

What part of the writing process brings you the most joy?

I’d say like 10% of the time in the early drafting process, I enter a flow state where the writing comes out so naturally. The sentences are fluid, and I surprise myself with poignant insights and seamless story progression. It’s in those moments where I feel like, “Damn, I really am a writer. I’m meant to do this.” It feels so rewarding that I just want to keep going. It’s like a runner’s high.

Even when I’m struggling through the other 90% of the writing process, I know I’ll eventually reach that flow state again. It’s a matter of persistence.

What’s one thing you do (creatively, mentally, or physically) that helps you stay in it when writing gets hard?

I like to give myself a break and re-energize with a long walk or a hard run with loud music blasting in my ears. But if I’m feeling utterly drained, then I give myself a couple days to rest.

I like to motivate myself by experiencing someone else’s art, whether it’s reading a new book or watching a new movie. I get so inspired when I see other people doing their craft well. And I guess a competitive part of me wants to create and to inspire that same exact feeling in someone else. That’s when I find myself itching to write again.

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Ready for feedback that takes your story to the next level?

“Because of Alyssa’s feedback on my query letter, I was able to obtain a reputable agent who then sold my book to a top 5 publisher! When I needed help choosing an editor, she was there to chime in and offer guidance! And even eleven months later when I asked for insight choosing an imprint, she helped then, too!”

—Bailey Evers, contemporary romance author

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What’s the best piece of feedback you ever received? How did it change your story?

I’m lucky to have two agents who are brutally honest (yet kind!) with me about my drafts. The best piece of advice they gave me: “Things keep happening to your protagonist. But she’s the main character. She should be propelling the story by herself, making choices, and being motivated to make those choices.”

I fully admit that I love writing the more character-driven parts of a novel, like the dialogue, vibes, setting, and moments of introspection. But you can’t have a plot without some action! And that’s something that I now keep in the back of my head: propelling the story with action.

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ICYMI…last week on YouTube, I shared my foolproof framework to nail your first page. Does your first page pass my test?