Susan Sands on her Publishing Journey

Hello, Women Writers! 

And thanks so much to Barbara for hosting me this month. Some of you might know me, but likely most don’t. My name is Susan Sands (real name), and I’ve had a five-book Alabama series published with the Tule Publishing Group. I’ve got four upcoming books this year and a new novella in the recently released Something Blue Anthology. But I haven’t had a new release in two years, so I’ve spent the last couple of challenging years writing—a lot.

I want to begin by mentioning agents because unless you are blissfully happy with your career and representation, many new and established authors are querying. It can be a demoralizing experience, especially these days. Form rejections, requests, and then rejections, and the worst—no answer or response whatsoever. I’ve had five agents. The keyword being had.

I’m currently without an agent because I’ve been so busy writing this year. I’ve loved all my agents, y’all, but for whatever reason, it hasn’t worked out. My agent stories are a series of unfortunate events, for sure. I’ve had one who became ill, one who left the agency, and I stayed. I was inherited, ghosted, and then COVID hit, and the next two simply were too swamped with homeschooling young children and their other clients. I hold no grudges. I like them all. A lot. But if I can’t get something out on submission, it doesn’t help to have an agent. I realize this is a sensitive subject, and I’m not casting aspersion on anyone, only sharing my experience with those who might be going through some of the same frustrations. I hear you!

Instead, I’ve spent my time writing. Not to say I haven’t sent out a query here and there, but it hasn’t been my focus. I got connected initially with my first publisher, Tule, by an author friend. I did five “Alabama” books with them, and now my new Louisiana Bayou trilogy is being released starting May 31st. My new Lowcountry story, The Island of Summer Sunsets, is coming out June 8th with Harpeth Road Press. And I’m hoping for some new good news soon from another publisher. These sales have all been without an agent, so take heart. Many publishers are offering “open submission” periods, so continue to look for those.

I have a hard time writing when I’m waiting. And it seems like waiting is all we do in this business. I live with a low-level hum of anxiety when I’ve got a submission out. On the one hand, it gives me something to look forward to, but on the other, it’s crushing when an agent or editor passes. So, most days, I look through the #MSWL to see what the industry wants from us writers. It’s something proactive and keeps me informed. Sometimes I get ideas from looking through the lists, and other times it simply motivates me to write. I’ve always got ideas, synopses, and proposals at the ready. And I’m always writing a book.

Home to Cypress Bayou is the very first book I ever wrote. You know, the one many of us crushingly realize won’t ever get published? The one we slide in a drawer or under the bed with a deep sigh? Yes, it’s the one I wrote fifteen years ago as a baby writer on my first laptop when I turned forty. It’s my origin story as a writer. But I believed in this book because it was different and so much fun. It’s honestly not the same book as when I started because I’ve completely rewritten it, but the setting, characters, and the basic story are really close. Tule worked with me and agreed to publish it—and two others. They are an author’s dream!

Pursuing publication with a great house is a full-time job, y’all. It’s hard, and it’s a frustrating roller coaster ride. I don’t know a single author who is happy with where they are in their career. Even NYT bestselling friends talk about how they made a list, but next time want to be higher on it for more weeks. There’s always the next submission, the next deal, foreign rights, the need for more books, etc.…

So, if you’re feeling exhausted, take a little break. Or start a project that you’re excited about. Distract yourself with real life, family, and living in the moment. I’ve missed some things over the years because I was so hyper-focused on finding success as an author. Everybody has their own idea of success. Be kind to yourself. You’ll get there. And hit me up with any questions at snsands@gmail.com.

Now, about my new/old book, Home to Cypress Bayou. Here’s the blurb:

HOME TO CYPRESS BAYOU

It’s not true that you can’t go home again, but do you want to?

Paris gallery owner Leah Bertrand returns to her historic, moss-draped Louisiana hometown to fulfill a deathbed promise to her friend and mentor. She’s been matched as a bone marrow donor to a stranger, yet the match is so close that doctors suspect a family relationship. But how? Leah’s family has always seethed with drama, but this visit home promises secrets as deep, dark, and mysterious as the water in Cypress Bayou. And then her ex arrives, and Leah realizes the feelings and secrets she buried years ago have come back to haunt her. 

Dr. Jake Carmichael returns to Cypress Bayou after years away and is shocked to see Leah, his childhood sweetheart and first love, back in town and on his patient roster. The sparks still burn, but when he tries to discuss what went wrong and perhaps rebuild their relationship, Leah refuses.

Jake’s not ready to give up on their future together. But Leah fears she has even more to lose this time…

 

Have a wonderful summer!!

Susan Sands

BUY HOME TO CYPRESS BAYOU HERE

Susan Sands grew up in a real life Southern Footloose town in Northwest Louisiana, complete with her senior class hosting the first ever prom in the history of their tiny public school with half the town chaperoning. Is it any wonder she writes Southern small town stories full of porch swings, fun and romance?

Susan lives in Roswell, Georgia with her husband, Doug, their Labradoodle, Watson, and lots of material for her next book. Her three adult children are in various stages of finishing college and getting off the payroll.

https://susansands.com 

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susan-sands

https://www.facebook.com/susannsandsauthor 

https://twitter.com/SusanNoelSands

https://www.instagram.com/susansandsauthor/

 

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