A few weeks ago, as some writers might know, Midnight Ink decided to close its doors after its spring/summer 2019 releases. Why should you care? Well, for a couple of reasons.
First, that means people like editor Terri Bischoff, awesome friend of RMFW and an overall great person, is out of a job. I have no doubt she will land on her feet and get an even better gig. In the meantime, give her the love she richly deserves.
Reason number two: one less mystery publisher. Those not writing mysteries might not care, but you really should, as this makes all markets smaller, with more writers, people once under contract with Midnight Ink, seeking new avenues to tell their stories.
![A Shot of Murder (A Lucky Whiskey Mystery Book 1) by [Kazimer, J. A.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51LghbWZLGL.jpg)
Which brings me to number three, and perhaps the most important one. My first book in the Lucky Whiskey series, A SHOT OF MURDER, due out in June 2019, is now orphaned. It will be the only book in the series published by Midnight Ink. I know, right? Say it ain’t so. Alas, it is. But don’t cry, really. It’s all right.
While it might seem like I’m promoting A SHOT OF MURDER, my mission is far different.
I’ll admit it sucks that this happened—to me, to so many other authors, to the staff at Midnight Ink, and to readers. But it also serves as a good reminder for writers everywhere: Never put all your eggs in one basket.
Publishers close shop. Books fail to gain an audience. Contracts get tossed.
Things happen.
If you, as a writer, know this ahead of time, before you spend all your time writing and revising that one book until it’s perfect or decide only one type of publishing is right for you, you’ll be far ahead of the game.
This business is often about how you bounce back from setbacks. It’s not for the fair-weather writer, but for those writers who push to achieve word counts, who strive to promote and market their work, who are dropped by their agents, who send a thousand query letters and face just as many rejections.
So don’t cry (for longer than five minutes) when something awful happens in your career. Pick yourself up and follow a different path, because you never know where that one will lead.
And remember, A SHOT OF MURDER in ebook format is available for preorder right now. Kidding—It’s also available in paperback. Feel free to mention this to your friends, family, strangers on the street…
What’s the worst setback you’ve had as a writer? And how did you overcome it?
I’ve been orphaned at least 3 times. The last time, Amazon was just introducing the Kindle, so I gave it a shot. With indie publishing available now, there are a lot of open doors. Between Kobo, Nook, Applebooks, Smashwords, and Kindle, my books have a wider audience than they ever saw with my more traditional publishers, and I’m making money I never saw from them.
I’m all for indie too. Any way that you can get your story out there, on your own terms, is a nice asset.
Well, H E double hocky sticks! That sucks. I’ve heard so much about Midnight Ink, before and after the announcement, and I know a lot of their authors. And I KNOW you’re a great writer, so you’ll bounce back, but I’m sorry this was your debut with this series. I want more of them! Hang in there, and thanks for your message to those of us who want to be traditionally published, but who really need to be aware of the downfalls and the options.
Thanks. I’m not worried. I’ll make do. You will be awesome. Carma deserves it.
Hi Julie! I was sorry to hear about Midnight Ink, but I’m one who did an abrupt turn into a new genre because of a publisher change. When Five Star stopped accepting crime fiction, I had an old historical novel sitting on the shelf that just happened to fit Five Star’s new Frontier Fiction line. A book that I thought would never get published, made it to print in November 2017. Opportunities pop up when you least expect them. Your opportunity is just around the corner.
So sorry to hear about Midnight Ink, and your debut novel, Julie! As for my worst setback, I had two. One was when my publisher cancelled their medieval romance line, leaving my developing series orphaned. The second was when I wrote a women’s fiction novel about my mother, and it was very close to my heart. The New York editor I queried asked for a partial, then a whole ms., and she loved it. It went before committee, where it was well received, and my heart was dancing for over a month waiting for the news. The news was bad — not approved by sales. My reaction: sitting under my glider for a good cry.
Hi Janet,
Sorry to hear that you were orphaned too. But so much worse for the heart’s work not finding the right place. Sucks when it gets SO close.
As soon as it happened, I thought of you, Pat. You turned around to do something fun and exciting with your new path.
Just today, Amazon canceled every single one of my paperback preorders which were set to ship in just 4 weeks. I’ve been on preorder for 6 months and now they are all gone.
That being said, I am fully confident this is a huge blessing in disguise. If setbacks have taught me anything, it’s to go harder. Good luck to you and your book. Look for the silver lining, you’ll always come out better. <3
My agent took a BIG ghost book away from me to give to another writer. After I brought the book to her. I still haven’t gotten over it.
Well phooey, Julie! Here’s to your talents finding a new and better home! I know you’ll bounce back stronger than ever.
I’m sorry, Julie. That sucks. But you have the right attitude. It’s been over 24 years since my first book came out and I’ve been through it all. Being orphaned by editors, lines and re-inventing myself at least a dozen times. I can’t say that every set-back led to great things publishing-wise, but they all helped me grow and develop as a writer and explore new genres and publishing opportunities. Keep positive and open-minded and follow your muse where it leads. Savor the relationships you form and never stop following your dream. Cheers! (And hugs.)