The Road to Publication Has Many Twists and Turns

THE ROAD TO PUBLICATION HAS MANY TWISTS AND TURNS
By Margaret Daley

I sold my first book in 1980 and thought I was set (for life). Back then there was no RWA or ACFW, and I didn’t really know the realities for writers and the publishing industry. It is amazing how naïve I was. Selling my second book was a struggle. By the time I sold my fourth one, I thought I was getting into a rhythm that would keep on going like the Energizer Bunny. Another naïve thought of mine. When I hit my twentieth book, I hit a brick wall. I didn’t sell anything for eight years. I could have given up and almost did several times but something kept me going. Then in 1996 I sold a book that started my road back to publication. In 2000 I sold to Steeple Hill Love Inspired and found the Christian fiction market, which was a perfect fit for me. If I had given up during that eight years, I wouldn’t have gone on to sell forty-six more book. My tip to others is don’t give up even during those downturns if you truly want to be a writer.