The first rule of sub club is: you do not talk about sub club.
The second rule of sub club is: you do not talk about sub club.
The third rule of sub club is—well, you get the point.
As writers, it’s so drummed into us to shut up and not talk about sub that most writers go into the process without any frame of reference for what’s normal.
In fact, is this normal? is perhaps the most commonly asked question among my group of friends on sub. Closely followed by: what does this mean? Is this a good sign? Is it bad? Does this mean a deal is just around the corner? Can I stop eating my fingernails for dinner yet???
Which is why I wanted to offer writers a place to talk about sub—candidly and anonymously—so that those entering the trenches for the first time can read about their experiences and get a better feel for how varied the process can be and just how weird, wonderful, and downright wacky things can get.
Because if there’s one guarantee in publishing, it’s that it won’t ever behave the way you expect.
Disclaimer: reading about sub (and in particular, reading success stories) can get overwhelming when you’re out on sub yourself, which is why the stories have been signposted according to the key below. So control your level of pain here, friends! I’d also note that it’s far easier to get people to talk about their successes than their failures, so from time to time, the balance of stories may skew towards the positive. I promise you though, it’s not because everyone and their dog is selling! And if you’re a writer with a sub story you’d like to share, please get in touch at katedylanbooks@gmail.com
