Today’s post comes from my fellow author friend, Brea Behn. I first met Brea when she attended my Word Nerd Writing Retreat back in the summer of 2018. In addition to being a great writer I can tell you that she makes a dang-fine lemon meringue pie. Unfortunately we don’t have any dessert to serve up today, but Brea is serving up loads of helpful advice in her guest blog post, giving authors what she wishes she had when she first began pursuing publication. I’m grateful to have Brea’s wisdom on my blog today and hope that you find inspiration and hope in the words she shares.

When I finished my first book, publishing was far from my mind. Writing for me was processing and healing trauma. Then it became more. A passion and my happy place. The first time someone suggested I pursue publishing my book, I had my doubts but thought it would be a fun challenge.

Fun is not how I would describe pursuing publication. Brutal would be more like it. I did months of research and preparation. Prepared a cover sheet and query letter. After countless rejections from agents, I turned to independent publishers instead. More rejections and disappointment. Then I went to a literary conference and got a critique done on my manuscript. She told me I was pursuing the wrong genre. That my book was not adult dystopian, but YA. I started sending out query letters again with new hope. Still, when rejection number 50 came in I almost gave up.

Then there was hope! A publisher was interested in my book. They hadn’t seen it yet, but I knew nothing about publishing. Maybe that’s how it worked? I can tell you now if it sounds too good to be true, it is! The publisher that contacted me was a predatory publisher (also known as a vanity press). Upfront it looked legit, but in the fine print is where I learned I would be required to purchase a ludicrous amount of copies of my own book which would add up to hundreds of dollars. Here’s a fact for you to remember:

A legitimate publisher pays you, never the other way around.

I cried for a week at my failure. My book wasn’t good enough because I wasn’t a good enough writer. I was going to quit. Then I got two more emails from publishers I had pursued before the false alarm. Number 51 was another plain rejection letter. Number 52 was different than the 51 before it. An independent publisher was interested in my book and wanted to read more. I eagerly sent them my manuscript and waited for weeks for a reply. Then it happened, I got my yes. I was skeptical. I even had a lawyer review the company and the contract they offered me. It all checked out and six months later, I was holding a book in my hand with my name on it.

After that my career as an author exploded. I have traveled all over the state speaking about writing, done readings and even taught classes at conferences and colleges. All because of one yes.

Fast forward five years. I now have seven books published. Had an agent for two years. Am nearly finished pursuing a degree in digital marketing and graphic design and I just launched my own company with one goal in mind.

I dreamed of a business that would have helped me in the publishing process. That would have taught me what it took me years and tons of wasted time and money to learn. How to go from being a writer to an author with a professional business.

That’s why I created Book Core Marketing. To help writers by giving them the knowledge and tools they need to skip what I went through. In the process, I’ve also discovered that creativity can come to you in more than one way. I created over fifty book covers to sell as premades in one summer. I built a business from the ground up and am so excited to share it with the world.

The best part is I get to help writers who were in the exact same place I was five years ago. I teach writers about branding, website design, book cover design, manuscript formatting and so much more. If this is overwhelming for them or they don’t have the desire to learn, I offer to create what they need for them. To me, this is a win/win. I get to do something I love to help writers get a good start in this industry.

As I’m sure many of you already know, the literary world can be highly competitive and even traumatic. I don’t see other writers as my competition. I see them as readers, creatives and my tribe. I never feel as at home than when I’m with a group of writers. The road to publishing can be incredibly challenging. Selling our work can be even harder. The way I see it, I’m just combining two of my passions to do just that. If I can be a small part of making this career easier for writers, then my goal has been met.

I believe writers helping writers is the key to success.

If you’re interested in learning more about Book Core Marketing and what I can do to help you get from writer to author, check out my website. You can also learn more about me and my books at https://www.breasbooks.com.

Brea Behn is very passionate about reading and writing in all genres. She started writing at the age of fifteen when she wrote a memoir for her twin brother. Currently, she writes dystopian, children’s fiction, nonfiction, and is building her career as an author and public speaker. Brea speaks on topics ranging from social medial, being a hybrid author, and on the more personal topic of grieving as a teen.

Brea is currently pursuing a degree in digital marketing with a certificate in graphic design. When Brea is not writing, she is reading, usually several books at the same time. She also fosters for her local humane society, crochets, and loves movies.

Brea lives in Wisconsin with her husband and their two children. You can connect with Brea on Facebook, Instagram, or learn more about Book Core Marketing on Youtube, Pinterest of her blog.

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