There is so much in traditional publishing that is outside of the writers’ control.
Like, so much.
What is in our control is, most importantly, the quality of our writing, but also how we go about building relationships with other writers and publishing professionals.
… and also.
The magic we do for ourselves, our books, and our writing careers.
Whether we have constructed a book altar.
Whether we are doing spells and saying prayers and enchanting sigils on our behalf when pitching editors or querying agents.
Magic can help us cut through the noise.
(Come to my free publishing Q&A tomorrow night to get tips on magic and publishing — more below!)
I know this: that the first time I went out on submission, I did no magic, and got no offers. “Died on submission” is a saying for a reason: it’s so common.
The second time (with my memoir Heretic), I did a powerful book deal spell, and I sold for six figures at auction.
The third time, I did a book deal spell and sold an astrology book (based on this newsletter) to Hachette. I am one of only three (THREE) writers to sell an astrology book to the Big Five in the last two years. (The other two are the AstroPoets and Madi Murphy.)
The Big Five, generally, are not acquiring astrology-focused books. But they bought mine. 💅🏼
I do everything I can in my control: I write as well as I am able, edit ruthlessly, get critiques from my writers’ group and my wife (herself an author), strategize with my brilliant agent… and then.
Then.
I do magic.
And it works.
The reason we do magic about our writing careers is the same reason that women and queers have turned to magic throughout history:
To give ourselves options where there once were none (or few).
Magic can be the difference between an agent reading your email and accidentally deleting it.
Magic can move things along at a quicker pace — helpful in such a slow, traditional industry.
Magic can make sure our project ends up on the right editor’s desk during a Mercury or Venus Retrograde.
Magic can shift the very essence of what’s possible.
If you’re looking to incorporate magic into your publishing journey — and learn a lot more about publishing itself along the way — I’ve got you.
For me as a practicing witch, part of how I make change is by doing the practical and mundane —
like leading a totally free Q&A for aspiring writers who have questions about traditional publishing and magic.
If you’re nervous about publishing but don’t even know what to ask,
or if you’re an experienced writer but a baby witch,
or if you’re totally new to me and my work and just want to do a ~Vibe Check~ —
Come to a totally free Q&A tomorrow evening, August 5th from 7-8pm Eastern. (It will not be recorded since it’s free.) Registration is required.
Hope to see you there!
P.S. During the Q&A, we’ll talk about Book Deal Breakthrough, my 10-week workshop that blends magical ritual with practical planning, for writers who want to get published in a way that’s both smart and soulful.
Book Deal Breakthrough is a high-touch 10-week intensive that includes:
8 ritual workshops
9 live Q&As featuring publishing industry guests including my literary agent Dana Murphy, my Astrology for Artists Hachette editor Natalie Bautista, indie publicist Cassie Mannes Murray of Pine State Publicity, NYT bestselling memoirist Lyz Lenz, USA Today bestselling romantasy author Nikki St. Crowe, and award-winning YA horror and sci-fi author AND indie bookstore manager Nino Cipri.
Query letter workshop in the final week
(Traditional) Publishing 101
Witchcraft 101
Recorded instructions for Get an Agent and Get a Book Deal spells
A sugar jar spell that I work on behalf of all participants throughout the container
Book Deal Breakthrough is $2250, or 3 monthly payments of $750. Folks who pay in full will get a 30-minute 1:1 video call with me during the ten weeks.
Registration closes August 12th.
