Be Open

I kept my head down in college, focused on becoming a lawyer. I joined the pre-law fraternity. I took the LSAT. I got accepted into a handful of law schools all over New York. And then, finally, on the steps of Brooklyn Law School a few minutes before orientation, I looked up and faced the truth: I didn’t want to be a lawyer.

I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but knowing what you don't want to do is a good start. I deferred law school for a year and decided I wanted to work with books. Coming from a small hometown mostly full of cops and teachers, I didn’t know what that meant. But I sent fan letters to all the publishers on the spines of the books in my childhood bedroom and landed a job at Warner Books / now Grand Central. I never ended up going to law school, but I do have my Master’s in Publishing!

I’m sharing this to encourage you to look up. Do you consider yourself “too serious” to write a cozy mystery, but have such a good idea for one? Try it! Are you only submitting to powerhouse agents, but there’s a smaller assistant who could be perfect for you? Send a query!

Don’t be so focused on what you are that you miss what you could be. Be open!

Until next time!

Inside an Editor’s Brain is written by Kristen Weber, a freelance book editor who has worked with thousands of authors over the course of her career. She aims to be a kind and trustworthy voice during the crazy-making writing and publishing business. This newsletter is free, but if you’d like to support Kristen and her efforts consider subscribing below: