Jamie Beck Reflects On Publishing Then And Now

It’s time for a new interview series… like NOW. No really, actually it’s called NOW (Newly Omniscient Authors). This blog has been publishing since 2011, and some of the earlier posts feel too hopeful dated. To honor the relaunch of the site, I thought I’d invite some of my past guests to read and ruminate on their answers to questions from oh-so-long-ago to see what’s changed between then and now.

Today’s guest for the NOW is Jamie Beck, author of The Beauty of Rain which releases today

Has how you think (and talk) about writing and publishing changed, further into your career?

Undoubtedly, yes, on multiple fronts because so much has changed during the past decade. For example, when I was querying my very first manuscript, Borders Bookstores had not yet shuttered its doors. Similarly, self-publishing still carried a stigma, and Amazon was not yet the juggernaut it is today (either as a publisher or book distributor). Back then, I felt extremely blessed to land my agent and a traditional publishing contract. Now, most of the authors I know are indie or hybrid. This means more choices for readers, but it’s also created visibility problems for most authors, too. In terms of writing, my idea of what makes a good book has also changed. I used to believe there were absolute rules to follow about character, conflict, pacing, etc. I spent thousands of hours and dollars focused on improving those craft elements only to butt up against the subjectivity of story resonance. Case in point, a quick scan of my work’s Goodreads ratings proves that what I consider my best books are not my readers’ favorites. This realization can be paralyzing or freeing, depending on my mood, but I’m resigned to the utter subjectivity of this industry in a way I was not back then.

Let’s talk about the balance between the creative versus the business side of the industry. Do you think of yourself as an artiste or are you analyzing every aspect of your story for marketability? Has that changed from your early perspective?

I’ve never considered myself an artiste despite working diligently to make each book better than the last. I do consider the commercial viability of an idea—it’s necessary if I hope to remain traditionally published. However, what hasn’t changed is that I still create stories around themes and issues I think are culturally important. They’ve always been at the heart of my books and probably will be for as long as I continue to write. 

The bloom is off the rose… what’s faded for you, this far out from debut?

As an introvert, I’ve always struggled with social media, but when Facebook was the only real gig in town (again, going back a decade), I managed that well and enjoyed meeting my readers and talking about books. Now there are so many platforms, I struggle to keep up. I also think readers are inundated. How many reader groups, newsletters, and booktokers can anyone follow before it becomes a blur of noise? Accordingly, it’s gotten harder to make new connections with readers online. 

Likewise, is there anything you’ve grown to love (or at least accept) that you never thought you would?

The editing process. In the beginning, it was difficult not to view editorial feedback as though I’d “gotten it wrong,” or as confirmation that I didn’t know what I was doing. With time, I’ve come to understand that a good editor isn’t “fixing” things so much as helping bring the author’s vision more fully to the page by pointing out what isn’t there and by asking important questions that force the author to think more deeply about the characters and themes.

And lastly, what did getting published mean for you and how was it changed (or not changed!) your life?

It changed my life in every conceivable way. I never dreamed my writing would go where it went, or that my career would be as rich and full as it has become. Sure, I’m proud of my track record in terms of quality and book sales, but the two things I treasure most from my writing journey are the amazing friends I’ve made (so many talented, creative, smart authors) and the personal notes I get from readers who connect at a deep level with a particular book. I hope, too, that my kids have learned something about tenacity from how I refused to allow the many rejection letters I received make me quit (it took me three manuscripts to get an agent).

Jamie Beck is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of 18 novels, many of which have been translated into multiple languages and have collectively sold more than three million copies worldwide. Critics at Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist have respectively called her work “smart,” “uplifting,” and “entertaining.” She is also a two-time Booksellers’ Best Award finalist, a National Readers' Choice Award winner, and STAR award finalist. In addition to writing novels, she enjoys dancing around the kitchen while cooking, and hitting the slopes in Vermont and Utah. Above all, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient, supportive family.

Meryl Ain on Writing A Seamless Sequel

We all like to hear about the journey to publication, and hopefully other people's success stories help bolster the confidence of those still slogging through the query trenches. But what happens after that first book deal? When the honeymoon is over, you end up back where you were - sitting in front of a blank Word document with shaky hands. Except this time, there are expectations hanging over you. With this in mind, I’ve created the SNOB (Second Novel Omnipresent Blues) interview.

Today’s guest for the SNOB is Meryl Ain, author of Shadows We Carry, which is the sequel to Meryl Ain’s award-winning post-Holocaust novel The Takeaway Men

Whether you’re under contract or trying to snag another deal, you’re a professional now, with the pressures of a published novelist compounded with the still-present nagging self-doubt of the noobie. How to deal?

On one hand, I learned so much from the publication of my first novel, The Takeaway Men. On the other hand, now I feel tremendous pressure trying to leave no stone unturned in spreading the word about Shadows We Carry. When my debut novel was published, I knew nothing about social media marketing, which turned out to be a godsend during the pandemic. Now, I must balance the demands of promoting, writing, and family. I did 80 virtual presentations during the pandemic, so as Covid is receding, I'm trying to figure out the balance between in-person and virtual programs. I'm so grateful that The Takeaway Men resonated with readers and I'm hoping that Shadows We Carry will reach an even larger audience.

Is it hard to leave behind the first novel and focus on the second?

Actually, no. It was seamless for me since Shadows We Carry is the sequel to The Takeaway Men. The first book ends when the twins are in high school, and many readers asked for a sequel. They wanted to know what happened to the sisters going forward. Since I knew the characters well, I enjoyed the process. Publishing Shadows We Carry gives me the opportunity to let people know about The Takeaway Men.  

At what point do you start diverting your energies from promoting your debut and writing / polishing / editing your second?

Once the ARC was out in the world and I reviewed it and submitted minor changes to my publisher, it was time to start focusing on my forthcoming release. 

Your first book landed an agent and an editor, and hopefully some fans. Who are you writing the second one for? Them, or yourself?

Both. I was tremendously gratified that many readers asked me for a sequel. But I also was not finished with the characters or the story. I had much more I wanted to write on the subject. I'm grateful that there was synergy between what my readers and I wanted. 

Is there a new balance of time management to address once you’re a professional author? 

Absolutely! As a professional author, I am interacting and supporting other authors all the time. I am asked to write blurbs and do programs. I'm constantly on social media, especially Facebook book groups. In fact, I started one myself. I also launched a podcast, called People of the Book, which is aired on Authors on the Air Global Radio Network. And, of course, I want to continue writing. Sometimes, I feel there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything I want to do. 

What did you do differently the second time around, with the perspective of a published author?

I have learned that I must be assertive in getting the word out about my books. I'm not a promoter by nature, but I have learned that it's a necessary requirement of being an author in today's world. I did not have a robust network of authors and readers when my first book was launched. I now have a large group of followers and I am so grateful for their encouragement, enthusiastic support and assistance.

Meryl Ain is a writer, author, podcaster, and career educator.  Her award-winning post-Holocaust debut novel, The Takeaway Men, was published in 2020. Its sequel, Shadows We Carry, will be published in April. Her articles and essays have appeared in Huffington Post, The New York Jewish Week, The New York Times, Newsday and other publications. She is the host of the podcast, People of the Book, which is aired on Authors on the Air Global Radio Network.