The Book Deal Diaries
How to write your next chapter 🖋
The Book Deal Diaries
Dear friends, I hope you’re surviving the silly season, however it presents itself for you.
Before Christmas I spoke about the new series I am launching, The Book Deal Diaries. Well, this is just to tell you a bit more about it before it begins in the New Year!
I must stop for a moment and admire the little quill divider I created (with some help from a clever colleague - more on her to come). These small things make me very happy!!
Anyway, back to the topic in question - the Book Deal Diaries is a brand new series that I am launching in January as an extra to my regular ‘Lemon Soul’ posts. It will be delivered to subscribers, packed with insight, hints, tips, resources and support on all that I have learnt throughout the process of starting and completing my first book, acquiring an agent and a publisher, and now having an actual book that is being published in Spring 2025. From me to you as someone who is 51 years old, with no background in publishing, journalism or any such connected career, and with very little social media following.
Although it is clearly writer-centric, this is not just of interest to writers. Leaning on my years as a professional in coaching psychology, as well as my current writing experience, I will be sharing what I have learned along the way, and what has most informed and influenced my decisions. These themes can be applied to any walk of life - holding onto identity, managing significant change, fear of failure, fear of success (!!), being brave, being terrified, finding supportive communities, defining what ‘success’ means for you, knowing you are not alone and so much more.
Getting a book published (or whatever your aspiration may be) isn’t easy, but it is possible. Most things we value are not easy - I mean it took me a fair few days to make the quill divider, I’m not gonna lie. This series is no ‘quick fix’ or ‘top ten tips to success’, as those simply aren’t realistic. What this is, however, is an honest, true and real time story of how this has happened for me so far, and an invitation for you to join me as I experience the reality of actually being an author as it unfolds in front of me.
Every author’s journey will be unique, just as everyone’s lives are unique. Some bits will chime with you more than others and that’s ok. Take what you need, share what you can, bring as much of yourself as you feel able. You can dip in and out, the resources will remain available for when you’re ready. I’m just as excited about sharing what’s happened so far as I am about what’s to come!! (I cannot wait for the cover design process to begin in the summer - I’ve been sent the website of the designer and her stuff is incredible!! Will definitely be reaching out to this community for thoughts!)
I really do hope you’ll join me, you are so very welcome.
What ‘The Book Deal Diaries’ will be:
Real, authentic insight into writing life and the experience of becoming a published author, told in the sharp and honest style of writing that you will be familiar with as a reader of Lemon Soul.
A place to connect with me and a whole community of like minded-writers where we can chat, ask questions, share ideas and come together.
A supportive series addressing some of the ‘bigger picture’ questions that stop us from fulfilling our creative potential (whatever that may be), that limit our beliefs, that make us feel we don’t have permission to thrive in new ways.
An inspiring and safe space to allow you time to gently question and unfurl your dreams, and perhaps dare to give something a try.
Solid and tested advice on the different ways of approaching writing life - going it alone, getting an agent, different paths to publication etc.; as well as my own writing processes (or lack of) and go-to ‘tools’ that have enabled me to transform the swirl of thoughts into a coherent book.
A library of useful resources, recommendations and links to the key ‘others’ that have helped me along my way: books, courses, other authors, writing communities, organisations, mentors and coaches, champions and cheerleaders, other Substack writers, and the best tea and biscuits to sit alongside you.
From March 2024 onwards, the opportunity to walk with me along the process - editing, cover design, PR, marketing, the launch, the book tour, what do these things actually mean and how do they work?
What ‘The Book Deal Diaries’ will not be:
Some kind of ‘warts and all’ exposé into the grubby underbelly of the publishing world - because this is not something I have (yet!!) experienced. I don’t have any warts, or any dirt to fling. The beauty of choosing this path is that I make my own decisions, am accountable for my own outcomes, and can carefully choose who to partner with along the way - a process I have so far found to be overwhelmingly mutually supportive.
A ‘top ten tips to getting a publishing deal’. There is no quick fix here, not if you write with your heart and soul. There are other places and resources that hone in to writing purely for profit - catching a zeitgeist, following a formula - this is not that place. This is about unlocking the intent behind your words, discovering what gives you meaning and purpose, learning what can be possible, and how it can be utterly joyful along the way.
A ‘how to’ guide with lessons on characterisation, plot likes etc… There are many incredible resources available on the ‘craft’ of writing, whether that be in fiction, memoir, nature or any number of areas. I am a narrative non-fiction writer, and The Book Deal Diaries will focus on the experience of becoming a writer rather than ‘how to’ write. That said, I am experimenting with my own short story and fiction writing so I will definitely signpost to any resources that may provide support in these areas along the way. Post #2 in this series will have some great recommendations for ‘writers on writing’.
A Profit & Loss spreadsheet. The Book Deal Diaries will contain information on industry standards in terms of payment, how to get the best from negotiations, and advice on all sorts of financial things I had never even considered, but not detailed specifics from my own contracts - primarily because that information is not actually particularly helpful. Each contract is so individual, getting caught up in what other authors have negotiated is just a distraction, but I will advise you on how to get the best deal for you.
Who ‘The Book Deal Diaries’ is for:
I refer my learned colleagues to my previous aforementioned answer - this series is for everyone. Whilst there is definitely a slant for writers, you don’t have to be a writer to enjoy and hugely benefit from the content. You never know - it may even inspire you to become one. Everyone has a book inside them after all.
If you want to start writing your own new chapter, this series is for you.
What type of content to expect from ‘The Book Deal Diaries’:
‘In no particular order’ [she said in her best ‘X-factor’ voice], the Book Deal Diaries will include insight, content, hints, tips, inspiration and thought provoking prompts on the following:
How I came to be a writer - the conversation that changed my life
How I decided what to write about and how it continually evolves
Where to begin part 1: opening up your world
Where to begin part 2: The ultimate masterclass
My book writing ‘process’ (or lack of)
How I got a literary agent and what that’s like
Champions and cheerleaders
Human intelligence vs AI - finding your balance
The evolution of a book and going with the flow
The writing community
Owning it - the mindset of being a writer and stepping into a new identity
Rags to er…riches? The business of books
Book fairs and literary festivals - finding your crowd
The writing environment - optimising your work space
Social media and does it matter?
The power of retreat
The ‘Book Deal moment’ - how it happened, who with, and how it felt
There is always another way - different ways to hold the dream and managing the ups and downs
Awards, competitions and prizes
The ethics of writing and the power of words
Writing life and side hustles
Nurturing self-kindness as a writer
What comes next - and bringing you along with me
(I’m not one for under-promising!!! The content will come, with a mind to my own health and wellbeing along the way which has been one of my biggest learnings).
I do actually have a planned order (honest), but the content may evolve as I go through this series with you, as it will be informed by your questions, by what you want to know and many things that we will discuss in comments and chat throughout.
As I get into the process of actually getting the book into publication throughout 2024, that will be included - choosing a cover, hardback vs paperback, print runs and publicity, book tours and much more!
Additionally there will be several incredible guests sharing their insights and wisdom in a series of interviews, including the following:
A best-selling author of 6 non-fiction books which have been translated into more than 25 languages across the world, over the course of nearly 50 book deals including with all of the ‘Big Five’ in publishing. She share heartfelt words about her own writing life and what she has learned along the way.
A brilliant writer and interior designer on the subjects of being brave, the power of change, and creating our dream writing space.
A leading mindset therapist about how we can access our own stored ‘human’ intelligence through ‘brain mining’, as we also discuss the role (or otherwise) of A.I.
An award winning and highly successful journalist and magazine editor on the magic of creating a community and launching a thriving literary festival.
A highly regarded marketing mentor and author coach on how to increase visibility, improve confidence and resilience, and a word on the dreaded ‘social media’ question.
More to come!
I will also run live Zoom sessions with me, for any of you who would like to join with any questions you have for me, or just come for a cuppa and a chat along the way. More on this to follow. I cannot wait to meet you 🫶
Are you in?
I really hope that this has inspired you to come on board, and please do tell other writers who you think may enjoy being here too.
The Book Deal Diaries series is going to be available to my paid community only. This is partly due to the high value of the content, and partly due to the immense amount of work that goes into gathering and sharing this knowledge along with the unique insight into life changes and author life that this will provide. If you sign up before the series commences on New Year’s Day with the special offer link below, you will receive 20% off for 12 months. Thank you for supporting this work - it is your subscriptions that make it possible.
As always, if you would like to subscribe but don’t have the means, do email me on emma@emmasimpsonauthor.com and I will gift you 3 months for free with my thanks for being part of the community 🙏
So if you think you have a book in you, or perhaps just a new chapter, this is for you.
As always, thank you for being here. How does this sound to you? Will you be joining me? Perhaps you mights even bring a friend.
Do let me know, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Love & lemons 💕🍋
Em xx
I am really looking forward to this! I’m fascinated by your process and journey Xx
Emma, this project, and how you're bringing it into being, has a beguiling beauty about it. You had me at water. Very much looking forward to watching you, your book and The Book Deal Diaries unfold.