Publishing vs. Pregnancy?

Posted at Sep 14, 2013 11:23 am in

Proof that in one way, publishing beats pregnancy.

Proof that in one way, publishing beats pregnancy.

It’s perhaps an unfair comparison, publishing your first novel and having a baby, but only because it’s been a darn long time since I was pregnant so I’ve somewhat forgotten the worst parts. Publishing is a lot of waiting. And getting ready. And worrying that I’m not going to get “it” right, not sure what “it” really consists of, but I’m definitely supposed to be worried, listening to a ton of other people’s advice, and unexpected blasts of euphoria. Another new title worksheet! No! My revisions to back cover copy were well-received! Yay! Showing up at Emerald City Writers’ Conference in October without cover art ready to show people? Better or worse than trying to find semi-formal maternity wear for your husband’s office holiday party?

I’m stuck between wanting this to be over already, and the panic that screams “I have so much to do! I’ll never be ready!” However, the rational part of me knows that I muddle through daily parenting of Big Boy and Miss Bossy, and they seem to survive. So if we can get through an entire weekend with no one injured by the sharpened stakes Miss Bossy and her buddies are using to build “traps” on the sidewalk, then maybe I’ll make it to January with my sanity intact.

Waiting to publish, or waiting to pop, preferences?    

10 Comments

10 responses to “Publishing vs. Pregnancy?”

  1. Never having been pregnant, I can’t really say. But I, too, am preparing for the release of my first novel (next month), and I hear you. It’s scary and exciting at the same time — and I can’t help but feel like I’m doing it all wrong.

    Your website is gorgeous, by the way. Congrats on the upcoming book!

  2. Peggy says:

    Good luck to you on all fronts! You’ve taken a lot on but can meet the challenge. You look happy in your picture.

  3. Monica Britt says:

    I think pregnancy and getting published are pretty similar! You labor and labor, blood, sweat and tears – after delivery, you hope everyone will think your baby is the most beautiful ever!

    Love the website, Anna!

  4. So I managed to moderate all three comments, but I’m still hunting for the newsletter registrations. I feel like one of my children, back to school with my brain growing!

  5. Leslie A says:

    The book publishing must be harder, 40 weeks (if you know when you conceived) and you have a baby at the end. WIth a book, you have a manuscript that you’ve labored over, loved, and may or may not ever be appreciated. Humm, that is more like having a child then I’d thought!

  6. Robin Rothschild says:

    I think Miss Bossy learned about traps from Big Boy and his partner H. Since I don’t have a website I hope this gets through. I’m very impressed with your website! I’m on the verge of being able to brag that I knew you when…..

  7. Abril Turner says:

    I’m looking forward to seeing your “baby” in a few months! I like the analogy between pregnancy and the process of publishing a book – but once the book is released, I think it would be very different than a child. You still have some influence over your child after he/she is born, but once your book is published, isn’t it just out there and you can’t do anything more to shape it?

    • Sort of true that it’s “done” for good, but there’s the marketing aspect of the book, which might be as horrible and lengthy as trying to get into a Manhattan preschool. Don’t know – but guess I’ll find out. Mr. Richland’s interior view of the e-book world seems to make him think tweaks are regularly pushed out by publishers, and actually files change but the purchaser doesn’t see that. I don’t know if that’s so true for non-bestsellers.

  8. eilis flynn says:

    That’s still a great shot of you!

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