7 Things I’ve Learned So Far: Kate Rockland
Outside of personal experience, the best way to learn is to get advice from people who’ve been there and done that. Discover the seven things learned so far by author Kate Rockland.
This is a recurring column called “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,”where writers (this installment written by Kate Rockland, author of FALLING IS LIKE THIS) at any stage of their career can talk about writing advice and instruction as well as how they possibly got their book agent -- by sharing seven things they’ve learned along their writing journey that they wish they knew at the beginning.
1. A quick laugh goes a long way. If you’re going to bug your agent by e-mail, be sure to include a funny story along with it. Such as, “Hey, have you heard from publishers? Now, let me tell you this great story about when I tried to potty train my cat...” They like that.
2. Skip the small accolades. When sending out query letters for potential placement of your book in the press, don’t mention that first place medal you won in second grade for spelling “serendipitous” correctly. That way you won’t be crushed when they say they don’t care.
3. Wear a funny T-shirt when you do a book reading. It gets people talking, and perhaps even pointing at you. My favorite is “I don’t like Bon Jovi: I love him.”
Order a copy of Falling is Like This by Kate Rockland today.
4. Read your working manuscript only to your cats. I made the mistake of asking my father to read it, and he asked if I really had to keep in the sex scenes. Yes, Dad, I do. Also the scenes where the character gets drunk and then has sex. When reading to your cats, notice the look of complete rapture and bliss on their furry faces, until you realize it's because you have a kibble treat stuck in your hair.
5. Do not include “Walking in Times Square in a bathing suit, handing out flyers” as a publicity idea to your publisher. I did, and received some strange looks at the board meeting.
6. You never know who's going to help you. Do not be afraid to ask your great aunt Shelly for her next-door neighbor’s cousin’s phone number. You know, the one who works at Vogue as a mail clerk? I was afraid of sounding annoying when asking for help or publicity, until I realized I’m annoying anyway, so I sent e-mails to everyone I’ve ever known remotely related to publishing, even if they got laid off from their magazine job and now they can tuna in Alaska. I repeat: When trying to get PR for your book, contact everyone. You just never know.
7. Get your hair professionally done for your author photo. It's worth the money. I did mine after running across town to catch a bus and ended up looking like a ferret.
Kate Rockland is the author of Falling is Like This, her debut novel. She is a frequent contributor to the New York Times Style section and has also written for Playboy, Rolling Stone, Us Weekly, Time Out New York, and Spin. She now lives in Hoboken, NJ, with a ridiculously large CD collection. See her website here.
