I recently caught up with a longtime friend, Andrea Lynn, whose book Dust Spells is forthcoming from CamCat Books in May 2024.
In the interview, Andrea recounted a publishing journey with some very high highs and some very low lows. She shared some practical advice for aspiring authors and reflected on the things that have kept her motivated through years of writing. As we spoke, she also discussed some of the ways she approaches the balance between commercial viability and creativity.
Read on to learn more about one author’s publishing journey and the lessons she learned along the way.
Journey to Publishing
Andrea’s fascinating publishing journey was the primary reason I invited her to speak with me on our video podcast.
She first dipped her toe into publishing right after college. Initially encouraged by a creative writing teacher, Andrea delved into the world of publishing by submitting short stories to women’s quarterly fiction journals, which led to a few successful publications.
Around that time, she discovered A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray, which fueled her desire to write her own novel. Embracing the online writing community, particularly on Twitter, she learned about querying agents and honed her skills in crafting fiction.
Her first breakthrough came when she secured an agent for her novel with a twist on Romeo and Juliet—a modern-day girl trapped in the role of Juliet, striving to prevent tragic outcomes. However, despite the agent’s efforts, the novel failed to find a publishing home.
Undeterred, Andrea continued to write, producing a new novel titled, The Heartless City. In the book, Dr. Jekyll’s potion turns people into zombies. A small publishing company recognized its potential and released the book in 2015. Although they did not offer advances, the collaboration was professional, and the novel even received an audiobook edition narrated by a British voice actor.
Andrea expanded on the story with two sister books—complementary tales with interconnected characters. Unfortunately, her publishing house collapsed, leaving her books out of print.
Persisting through the challenges, Andrea continued writing (she’s written 11 books!). One of her novels, Dust Girls, underwent significant revisions and genre changes based on feedback from editors and agents, eventually landing her a new agent, Elizabeth Copps.
Elizabeth appreciated Dust Girls (as well as a second book based on nineteenth-century murder ballads), and was secure a contract with CamCat, an independent publishing company. The book has now been retitled Dust Spells, and it will be released in May 2024.
An Inside Perspective on the Agent-Author Relationship
It should be clear from the above conversation that the agent-author relationship is key to success in publishing. Since I find that so many authors are very intimidated by agents, I asked Andrea to talk about her relationship with her agent.
She emphasized the significance of teamwork, highlighting the similarities she shares with her current agent, Elizabeth Copps. They have a great personal and working relationship, which is key to producing the highest quality book.
Reflecting on her own evolution as an author, Andrea acknowledged the importance of being open to learning and growing. She shared instances where feedback and realizations about cultural representation led to changes in her works. For instance, based on her agent’s feedback, she transformed a character from Lebanese heritage from a first-person character to a third-person character—even though she’d been very careful in her portrayal of the character, even basing the character on a Lebanese friend, her agent pointed out that it might not be a good idea for a white author to write a Lebanese character from first-person perspective. She emphasized the importance of accurate representation and cultural sensitivity, and Andrea agreed.
There is an ever-present learning curve in the publishing industry, where authors continually evolve and gain fresh perspectives. Agents and editors play a huge role in this process, so it’s crucial that authors work with publishing experts they trust.
Ultimately, the conversation illustrated the progressive nature of the writing journey, where collaborative efforts with agents, constant learning, and personal growth contribute to an author’s artistic and cultural development.
Creativity vs Commercial Appeal
In our conversation, we delved into the delicate balance between creativity and commercial appeal, a critical aspect of the writing process. Andrea expressed that while every writer’s approach may differ, it is essential that authors remain authentic to the story they want to tell.
However, as she explained, it is also important to be receptive to constructive feedback about the market. After all, we all want our books to sell, so if we’re given a chance to address potential issues, it’s in our best interest to do so!
Part of this process involves staying informed about current literary trends and market demands. Reading extensively and understanding prevailing themes and styles empowers authors to craft narratives that align with contemporary reader preferences. Authors must adapt their writing styles and narratives to stay relevant within this ever-changing landscape.
But this can be a double-edged sword—as Andrea emphasized, it’s not advisable to write toward specific trends, because those trends will probably shift before your book is published.
Many authors resist considering trends at all, because they worry that keeping up-to-date with the industry will influence their voice. I’ve seen this over and over, as author struggle to define their own unique voices while also meeting industry expectations. I asked Andrea how she thinks about this issue, and she drew on her music theatre background. She explained that Broadway singers today sound very different from Broadway singers from the 1980s, the 1960s, the 1920s and so on. When people go to see a Broadway show, they expect to hear voices that sound contemporary—if only one singer seems to have a 1920s style, while the others have a modern style, the 1920s singer can seem odd and out of place.
At the same time, she pointed out, no one wants to hear a generic voice that sounds just like everyone else. Broadway singers must keep the general trends in mind while finding their unique approach.
This is true for writers, too. Readers expect new books to be similar to other recently published books in the genre, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want unique style. It’s all about striking a balance.
Writers must embrace their uniqueness while remaining attuned to the dynamic literary landscape and the diverse voices within it.
The Most Unexpected (and the Most Rewarding!) Parts of the Publishing Process
Given Andrea’s experiences in publishing, I wondered what she had found most challenging and most rewarding.
Andrea shared her surprise at the sheer amount of work involved in marketing herself and her art, transforming her writing into a business, and cultivating a personal brand. The landscape of social media and marketing has evolved over the years, with platforms like TikTok becoming increasingly crucial in reaching the target audience. Initially hesitant about TikTok, she eventually found it enjoyable, likening the experience to theater, where she could playfully engage with her content and audience.
“Embracing change, growth, and self-reflection are essential components of the writing journey.”
The author admitted that marketing and branding were aspects she had never anticipated, as they demand an entirely different mindset from the creative process. She highlighted the contrast between writing a story, where one can focus purely on the artistry, and later, having to analyze and promote the work from a business perspective. The challenges of defining her brand, describing her book concisely, and identifying target readers were aspects that took her by surprise, requiring her to consider her work from multiple angles.
While Andrea noted that her TikTok journey had been rewarding, she shared a different experience as her most rewarding—she mentioned the gratification of finding agents and editors who connect with her work and passionately believe in its potential. She expressed how uplifting it is to have professionals wholeheartedly support her vision and actively work to showcase her writing to the world. Andrea cherished the validation and excitement of agents and editors who expressed their belief in her work, which has been especially rewarding during the editing stage.
I loved hearing her speak about the value of constructive feedback from agents and editors. It’s so important to highlight the driving force behind the critiques we get from agents and editors—when these industry experts give us advice, they typically do so as a result of their sincere belief in the author’s talent and potential. Their commitment to working together, despite the uncertain nature of publishing, should be seen as a validation of the writer’s craft and vision.
Publishing can be a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences, from unexpected challenges in marketing and branding to the deeply gratifying validation and support from industry professionals. Andrea’s journey showcases the resilience, passion, and growth inherent in the pursuit of literary success.
The Most Valuable Lessons Learned in Publishing
As a final question (and a natural follow-up), I asked Andrea what her most valuable lessons were, and what kinds of advice she would offer for aspiring authors.
Andrea expressed that she wished she had known about the extensive rewriting and research required before querying agents. She emphasized the importance of doing thorough research to understand what agents are looking for and how to best present one’s work. For her, one of the most effective strategies for publishing was to follow agents on Twitter. This allowed her to pay attention to their preferences as she queried.
Andrea highlighted the significance of treating agents and industry professionals with genuine respect and professionalism, particularly when interacting with them through queries or rejections. She emphasized the importance of being honest, respectful, and open to feedback. Even in the face of rejection, Andrea encouraged writers not to be discouraged but to keep trying, learning, and growing.
This conversation led to another important topic: perfectionism. Drawing from her experience of writing 11 books, Andrea emphasized the importance of self-compassion. Writing is an evolving skill, and authors will continue to improve as they hone their craft and gain experience. Embracing change, growth, and self-reflection are essential components of the writing journey.
With this in mind, I wondered how Andrea handles reviews, so I asked whether Andrea checks sites like Goodreads. She admitted that she did check reviews earlier in her career but later realized the subjectivity of opinions and the inevitability of differing perspectives on books. She urged authors not to get too caught up in reviews and opinions, as what one person loves, another may dislike. Instead, she advised writers to focus on writing stories that resonate with them personally, as authenticity can help you find a loyal, engaged audience.
Reflecting on her journey, Andrea highlighted that publishing is a slow and unpredictable process. She noted that there is no endpoint or summit where everything feels perfect or complete. Despite challenges and uncertainties, she has continued to focus on writing and growing—that’s the one thing authors can actually control. She acknowledged that writing for oneself, enjoying the process, and embracing change are key elements in sustaining a successful and fulfilling writing career.
About Our Guest
Andrea Lynn’s book Dust Spells is scheduled for release May 7, 2024 through CamCat Books. Readers who want to learn more about her can find her at https://andrealynnwrites.com as well as on TikTok at @andrealynnwrites
She grew up performing on the stage but now directs behind the scenes as a high school English and Drama teacher. She lives in Winfield, Kansas with her husband and two sons and loves tea, comfy hoodies, Broadway musicals, and of course, books.
The video format of this post can be found here.
