NovelKnight often features debut authors but today I’m excited to share a bit of a different post from Adalyn Grace, debut author of All the Stars and Teeth! Adalyn has written a letter not to readers, but to the upcoming debut class and as an aspiring author myself, I found it really inspiring.
You can read the letter below as well as enter to win a copy of All the Stars and Teeth, a new YA fantasy packed with magic and adventure (click here to read my review!). ATSAT is available now in case you want to grab a copy for your shelf.
A Letter to the Upcoming Debut Author Class
by Adalyn Grace
Dear Debut,
First, congratulations! You did it! You wrote a book, and you’re putting it—finally—out into the world. You’ve probably spent years dreaming about this. You’ve probably faced too many rejections to count. Probably wondered just as many times whether you should quit.
But you didn’t quit. You’re here.
I hope you celebrated. And I hope you remember to celebrate a little extra, too. Because you’re not done, yet. Your journey is only beginning, and it’s a long one. We’re talking journeying to Mordor kind of long, and just as exhausting. And like Frodo, your path might be difficult, and you’ll have to remember to keep your friends close and stay grounded—because the stress of this industry will try to weed its way into your mind and tear at you. Don’t let it.
This industry is hard. Full stop. It will not hesitate to steal everything it can from you—your time, your creativity, your health. Remember to protect yourself. Take breaks. Leave the house. See a doctor. Find a hobby that has nothing to do with writing or publishing, because it will consume you if you let it.
There are going to be other hardships, too. Not everyone is going to like you, or like watching you succeed. You won’t be on every list. Some readers aren’t going to like your book, and might even tag you in a bad review you’d rather never see (bite your tongue. Don’t respond to it). Some other author is going to get something you didn’t—something you want—and it might make you more jealous that you care to admit. But these are just facts of the industry; they have nothing to do with you, personally. Try to remember that. This is a business, and you are more than your book.
But know that for every negative, there is a positive. You did this. You made your dream come true. People are going to read your book, and some of them are going to love it. Maybe they’ll dress up as your characters one day. Maybe they’ll call it their favorite book. Their excitement is going to make you feel on top of the world . . . and then you’ll fall again when you start remembering all those three-star reviews, and forget about all the five stars.
But these feelings are natural. We’re handing the world a piece of our imagination and our soul—watching what they do with it is going to be difficult, but it’s also going to be amazing. Try to enjoy every part of it that you can. Sit in your wins. Let yourself really feel them.
And above all else, try to remember this:
- You are more than a book
- Your career is more than one story
- Protect yourself, because this industry will steal from you what you let it
- Comparison is rampant in this industry. Keep your eyes on your own paper, and be better than trying to dim someone else’s shine. And when someone rips your paper, just smile and get yourself a new sheet.
You got this.
–Adalyn
About the Book
by Adalyn Grace
Series: All the Stars and Teeth #1
Published on February 4, 2020 by Imprint
ISBN: 9781250307781
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 384
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
She will reign.
As princess of the island kingdom Visidia, Amora Montara has spent her entire life training to be High Animancer—the master of souls. The rest of the realm can choose their magic, but for Amora, it’s never been a choice. To secure her place as heir to the throne, she must prove her mastery of the monarchy’s dangerous soul magic.
When her demonstration goes awry, Amora is forced to flee. She strikes a deal with Bastian, a mysterious pirate: he’ll help her prove she’s fit to rule, if she’ll help him reclaim his stolen magic.
But sailing the kingdom holds more wonder—and more peril—than Amora anticipated. A destructive new magic is on the rise, and if Amora is to conquer it, she’ll need to face legendary monsters, cross paths with vengeful mermaids, and deal with a stow-away she never expected… or risk the fate of Visidia and lose the crown forever.
I am the right choice. The only choice. And I will protect my kingdom.
Set in a kingdom where danger lurks beneath the sea, mermaids seek vengeance with song, and magic is a choice, Adalyn Grace’s All the Stars and Teeth is a thrilling fantasy for fans of Stephanie Garber’s Caraval and Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series.
Book Trailer
Tour Schedule
To check out the rest of the posts on the blog tour, click here!
Giveaway!
Enter to win a finished copy of All the Stars and Teeth!
US/CAN only. Ends February 18, 2020.
This giveaway is sponsored by a third party. NovelKnight is not responsible for winner selection, or the provision and shipping of prizes.
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2 responses to “A Letter to the Upcoming Debut Author Class | Guest Post by Adalyn Grace”
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I’m so excited about this book!
Beautiful cover and it sounds like a really interesting story, added it to my TBR. As for my favorite genre, I like to read a little of everything.