Claire--ouuuu I love this cover. It's got so many moments for intrigue. I'm so glad to be a little bit of a help and I'm sending you all the wild success with your book!
This is absolutely incredible. And I got to the end, and started laughing at the behind-the-scenes look into YOUR writing process (Paw Patrol). I’m reading this in the Panera drive-thru, and my kids are in the back, and they all insisted I explain what was amusing me.
It's so funny because the behind-the-scenes is either totally wild and weird at my house, or I write a post in twenty minutes and that's the post that folks most engage with (is it because I had twenty minutes of silence to get it all out and that's it? WHO IS TO SAY). Reading substack in the Panera drive-thru feels EXACTLY right to me. Haha!
Great post...thank you! Happy to see a book like this getting so much attention. Also, this is sooooo true: <Yep, and she’s also doing the performance of doing so much on social media.> Look like there's buzz and people will believe it!
"So many people said to me throughout this campaign, “Wow, she’s doing so much.” Yep, and she’s also doing the performance of doing so much on social media." I love love love this distinction.
I’m very excited to read this and OF COURSE I’ve been seeing it everywhere! And also… I had TWO excerpts from my 2d nonfiction book run in the NYT Opinion section (yes I was a contributor at the time but otoh, Book Review didn’t touch me—these things too are political, even on the inside) and it netted me…. Basically nada. Book sold fine, but neither led to a noticeable bump or to NPR. There is no formula! Thanks for this candid reminder of exactly that. And can I just all how much I hate “the performance of doing to much on social media”? I’m so glad to see it called out and recognized!
We put so much stock into some of these things (and of course there's the prestige!) but really the formula controlling the narrative helps no one. An author that comes to me and says, "let's just do it! Whatever it is" has a much better time than an author that's like IT MUST BE THE NYT OR MY BOOK FAILED. It's simply not true at the end of the day. And the performance is a part of the whole thing AND most people love seeing their friend's success! It shouldn't be embarrassing or cringey or whatever to celebrate and share what's happening on your own social media page. If it's too much for someone, there's a mute button! I was chatting with a friend the other day about how "comfort" social media is going away. And I think that's a part of it too--we've come so far from just seeing friends and family in that space that it feels like surveillance or something to think of other people judging us rather than celebrating us. GAH!
I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts when you've had a chance to read.
I preordered Nicole’s book and have followed her for several years. As an essayist myself, the book delighted me—and I have *loved* watching how Nicole released it into the world and how she’s supported it. I’ve definitely been taking notes! Your summary of your collaboration here is super helpful. Thank you!
I don’t have the finances at this time to hire a publicist. But I’m learning a lot from your newsletters and for that I’m grateful.
I revealed my book cover today on all platforms and people were so supportive! Am grateful for that, too.
Claire--ouuuu I love this cover. It's got so many moments for intrigue. I'm so glad to be a little bit of a help and I'm sending you all the wild success with your book!
Thank you so much, Cassie!
This is absolutely incredible. And I got to the end, and started laughing at the behind-the-scenes look into YOUR writing process (Paw Patrol). I’m reading this in the Panera drive-thru, and my kids are in the back, and they all insisted I explain what was amusing me.
It's so funny because the behind-the-scenes is either totally wild and weird at my house, or I write a post in twenty minutes and that's the post that folks most engage with (is it because I had twenty minutes of silence to get it all out and that's it? WHO IS TO SAY). Reading substack in the Panera drive-thru feels EXACTLY right to me. Haha!
Great post...thank you! Happy to see a book like this getting so much attention. Also, this is sooooo true: <Yep, and she’s also doing the performance of doing so much on social media.> Look like there's buzz and people will believe it!
agree! more collections across the board selling huge! And EXACTLY. The performance is so much a part of the equation!
"So many people said to me throughout this campaign, “Wow, she’s doing so much.” Yep, and she’s also doing the performance of doing so much on social media." I love love love this distinction.
It’s so important! A glimpse!
Thank you so much for the compliments! You made my day.
I’m very excited to read this and OF COURSE I’ve been seeing it everywhere! And also… I had TWO excerpts from my 2d nonfiction book run in the NYT Opinion section (yes I was a contributor at the time but otoh, Book Review didn’t touch me—these things too are political, even on the inside) and it netted me…. Basically nada. Book sold fine, but neither led to a noticeable bump or to NPR. There is no formula! Thanks for this candid reminder of exactly that. And can I just all how much I hate “the performance of doing to much on social media”? I’m so glad to see it called out and recognized!
We put so much stock into some of these things (and of course there's the prestige!) but really the formula controlling the narrative helps no one. An author that comes to me and says, "let's just do it! Whatever it is" has a much better time than an author that's like IT MUST BE THE NYT OR MY BOOK FAILED. It's simply not true at the end of the day. And the performance is a part of the whole thing AND most people love seeing their friend's success! It shouldn't be embarrassing or cringey or whatever to celebrate and share what's happening on your own social media page. If it's too much for someone, there's a mute button! I was chatting with a friend the other day about how "comfort" social media is going away. And I think that's a part of it too--we've come so far from just seeing friends and family in that space that it feels like surveillance or something to think of other people judging us rather than celebrating us. GAH!
I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts when you've had a chance to read.
Love this, as always - thank you
<3333 back at you.
I preordered Nicole’s book and have followed her for several years. As an essayist myself, the book delighted me—and I have *loved* watching how Nicole released it into the world and how she’s supported it. I’ve definitely been taking notes! Your summary of your collaboration here is super helpful. Thank you!
She worked REALLY, REALLY hard at all stages of the book process. I’m so glad to hear you’ve been following along (she’s a good one to follow!).
So validating— the work behind the scenes can feel endless and just not a lot of predictability. Thanks!
<3 The endlessness will pay off!