Q&A with Julie Buxbaum discussion

Did you find your agent first? Or did you find your publisher first?

Would you still be publishing if you had started out with a small press or an eBook publisher?

Did you keep your day job?

I know those are a LOT of questions...but these are the ones I've been dying to ask....

Your fan,

Angela

Hi Angela,
I found my agent first, and then she sent my books out to publishers. I know that occasionally people do it the other way around, but I think finding an agent first is key. They can help you navigate the publishing world, and match your book with the right editor.

To be honest, I don't know much about small presses or eBook publishers. If you are asking about self-publishing (?), if you are seeking a long term career as a writer, I am not sure it is the best way to go. Unfortunately, when you self-publish, you are without the distribution and publicity of a publishing house, and it becomes very difficult to build an audience. I know there are some self-publishing success stories out there, but I think they are the exception rather than the rule. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if this changes in the future, as the internet provides more ways for self-published authors to distribute and get the word out there about their work.

As for the day job, I actually quit my job as a lawyer to begin writing THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE. And although it turned out to be the best decision I ever made, I am always hesitant to recommend for people to go that route. (I guess this is one of those do as I say, not as I do things...) Writing a book and getting published can take years (and years, and years), and so depending on your circumstances, quitting your day job to become a writer is a huge risk. (Especially in this lousy economy!) The problem is that a big part of getting published is simply luck, and it's impossible to know if the publishing gods will smile down upon you no matter how wonderful your work is. So, to sum up, I guess the most important element of being a writer is not quitting your day job, but just making time in your life (whether it be early in the morning, or late in the evening, or maybe even just Saturday afternoons) to write.

Hope that answered your questions. If you have more, or you want me to elaborate further, of course feel free to ask!