Cheers to the New England Writers Coffee house!

     Have you ever wanted to isolate yourself for long periods of time?  Then try writing a book.  Almost every aspect of it requires one-on-one attention with your brain and a computer screen.  Even the off-line activity such as researching, collecting documents, exploring the past and finding historic sites is a solitary exercise.  Only the writers knows what they are looking for and what direction they’d like to take.  It’s basically a singular operation.
     I knew this going into the project, but as the months went by and I discovered there really was no one to confer with besides myself, I began to feel a little lonely and insecure.  I had days when I second-guessed this whole endeavor.  I wanted to give up, abandon my dream, or smash my computer because I was frustrated.   In the dead of winter, when I was sitting alone on the third floor of the public library (the quiet section) I could actually relate to Jack Nicholson’s character in “The Shining.”  The author who chose to spend the winter in a remote mansion that turned out to be evil and haunted.  I was pretty sure I was gong to return home with an axe and drive it through my front door saying, “Honey, I’m hooome!”
     Okay, maybe I wasn’t that desperate.  But I did want to stop talking to my computer and bounce some ideas off real humans.  And not just my family members who felt obligated to read my work because they love and support me.  I needed to find a published author! But where would I find my writer friend?  I had no clue.   I didn’t know any authors and the ones I’ve always admired would no doubt think I was crazy if I approached them on Facebook or Twitter-or worse yet in person!  I don’t’ think you can just walk up to Stephen King in Bangor, Maine and ask him to be your writing buddy.  Even he might be frightened and then he’d probably turn around and write a book about the wanna-be psycho author who stalks famous authors and tries to befriend them.   No, I couldn’t do that.
     When I think about it, I’m not completely alone.  I have a team of literary professionals around me.  There’s my editor, but she is in New York City and always busy.  She will communicate through email but it is always quick and to the point.  She’s highly efficient and doesn’t like small-talk.  I guess that is why I hired her, because she is professional and competent, and in her line of business objectivity is key.  I also have a cool web designer for my author site but now that it’s up and running, I no longer need his advice or daily communication.  I had a great relationship with my social media tutor (and author) but she is in California and runs three or four businesses, so she doesn’t have time to act as a writing mentor.  So, what is a social writer to do?
     I was able to write the manuscript but now came the most daunting challenge of all—finding a publisher! How could I do this alone?  What did it entail?  There are so many options open to writers now, and I didn’t know which one would be the most realistic or fulfill the goals I have in writing the novel.  Should I self-publish, use e-book, find an Indie publisher or try a traditional publisher?   How do I get started and what are the benefits of each?  I knew at last that I had to break out of my solitary confinement and find some folks that are in my shoes, or that have already experienced this whole process.
     Then BAM! I couldn’t believe it.  Was it fate?  I went to my local bookstore to collect some novels I’d ordered for my daughter and I noticed a sign near the register that said, “ New England Writer’s Coffee House meeting in September.”  Right away I inquired about this event and asked if it was open to the public.  Thankfully it was, and I went home and wrote down the numerous questions I had in preparation for the meeting.
When the evening finally came I was excited and ready to get some answers.  I also wanted to commiserate with other authors on how difficult a journey this is and how disappointing it can when things move along so slowly (especially trying to attain a publisher).  However, when the meeting began and we went around the room introducing ourselves, I became intimidated and shy.  In this very room were published authors, literary agents, publishers and bookstore owners.  There was not one person who wrote historical fiction and very few writers who were unpublished.  I was amazed at the number of accomplished authors who wrote thrillers, science fiction novels, mystery and young adult books. Are these types of novels in higher demand?  I didn’t know but I kept listening.
     As the meeting continued I listened carefully to the topics being discussed and the questions being asked.  I soon learned that I was not as far behind as I thought I was, and that there were several people like me trying to navigate their way through this publication process.  I listened to the published authors sharing their advice and giving wonderful tools and tips on how to make this more effective and less stressful.  I learned practical methods such as using the website Query tracker to help organize the pitches to Literary Agents and also how to use Twitter to find agents interested in specific genres and storylines.  This has made an enormous difference in how I approach potential Literary offices.
Of course I also learned that there is no right way to get your book into print–it all depends on what I want out of it.  Will I be just as happy self-publishing and promoting it myself?  I’m still not sure.  But I will keep trying and if the traditional way doesn’t work, it’s good to know there are other options.
     The most important message that I received from this meeting at the New England Coffeehouse is to keep writing and to never give up.  Many of these authors have been writing for years, or re-writing dozens of drafts, or trying to get their books published for a long time.  It didn’t happen for them overnight and they experienced the same fear and doubt that I’ve felt as well.  I loved that they were honest and shared their ideas and strategies—many of them are already well-known authors and they don’t need the support as I do.  However, Christopher Golden (the NY Times best selling author and founder of the New England Writers Coffee house) said it well when he reminded us that getting ANY book out there creates more readers.  He used the example of JK Rolling—and how her books attract millions of children and adults from around the world.  Her books make people excited about reading- and that can always be an advantage for all writers seeking an audience.  For that reason Golden believes that writers should work together so that everyone wins.
     No matter what the outcome of my book will be, I feel pleased that I have accomplished a huge challenge and there are fellow writers around who are there for support and advice.
     I finally found my tribe!  Cheers to the New England Writers Coffeehouse!