There is nothing more energizing than spending a day surrounded by people who live, love, and  breathe books — and the TarcherPerigee “Publishing and Creativity Conference” more than delivered. Along with scores of writers in all genres, I listened to publishing insiders, from agents and editors to authors and marketing pros, offer frontline advice and insights about birthing a book. A few takeaways from the
action-packed event:

Landing an agent is all about finding the right match: You want someone who’s enthusiastic and understands your work — someone you feel comfortable with. Agents’ time is gold — it’s their most important asset, so use it efficiently. Have a core belief in what you’re doing and don’t let rejection drain you — get stronger from it by improving your work.

Book production is a complex, resource-intensive process: It can take  9 to 12 months from the time a book is handed off by an editor to a production team until its pub date. Your editor is your book’s champion and shepherds it through the multi-layered process. From the copy editor and art designer to the sales team, everyone has the same goal: to make your book accurate, visually inviting, and increase its chances of success.

Marketing is a very collaborative process: Understand and embrace your role as a marketing partner. As an author, your platform is what you bring to the table. An active, creative, reader-engaging author is the best selling tool in the world. Build a writing community and learn from writers who use social media and other tools effectively. Have an appealing story to tell about why you had to write your book.

Discoverability is key: How do you get discovered in the marketplace? As an author, you’re the key to a successful marketing process. Reader engagement builds sales: Put yourself out there and create a relationship with your readers; have a ongoing conversation with them. Look at hugely successful authors like John Green: How do they connect with their audiences and keep them reading? Social media can be
daunting: The right place to start depends on you: Pick one form of social media and then build on it: Whatever you choose, do it consistently. Remember, even with social media, you’re still communicating one on one.

Savvy, insightful insider advice we can all use as we write on.