Writing is solitary, but doesn't have to be isolating.

Publishing is changing.

I suppose publishing has always been changing -- at least since 1440, when Johannes Gutenberg created his famous Gutenberg press. Suddenly, books didn't have to be laboriously hand copied by monks -- they could be mass produced, consistent copies by pressing the same plate over and over again on a receiving surface. Revolutionary!

Britannica has a fascinating account of Gutenberg's "printing experiments." One of his early investors was Johann Fust. Unfortunately, "Fust and Gutenberg eventually became estranged, Fust, apparently, wanting a safe and quick return on his investment, while Gutenberg aimed at perfection rather than promptness."

​Johannes Gutenberg | Printing Press, Inventions, Facts, Accomplishments, & Biography | Britannica​

These days, publishing is changing faster than Fust wanted Gutenberg to go. How are you keeping up with it all?

Perfection vs Promptness

Do you feel the tension between pursuing perfection or getting your work out promptly, or do you have a clear winning priority: excellence or speed?

At Siretona Creative and The Book Hatchery, we value the craft of writing: the pursuit of excellence as much as possible. We want to help authors grow in their ability to express a message or story clearly, beautifully, engagingly. Sometimes craft takes a lot of patience. Isn't there a faster way?

We value collaboration. Craft is not developed in a vacuum or a bubble. Some authors have co-writers or ghost writers. We certainly collaborate with editors -- we believe that every manuscript should have at least two or three sets of editorial eyes on it, plus a few beta readers for good measure. We all need someone pushing us to be better, and halting us when the work is "good and enough," because sometimes we lack perspective (but not merely good enough, because that's mediocre!). We collaborate with designers. We collaborate with book sellers. We collaborate with our readers.

We value community. Again -- no vacuum, no bubble. This is similar to collaboration, but casts a wider net to friends and family who "get us" and encourage our work; to other writers, who definitely "get us" and cheer us on as we strive for and achieve milestones in our writing and publishing work. Community could also include your readers. Does yours?

These are a few reasons why we've created Summer School for Authors (and authors in the making). Writers do need solitude to get the work done behind closed doors or in between a set of noise cancelling headphones. But even the most introverted writer doesn't thrive in isolation. They need companions along the way.

Could you find some of those companions in The Book Hatchery? Other writers and authors have ...

Along with companionship, you'll find help for your writing and publishing. Courses to hone your craft or just get the manuscript done. Programs and coaching to guide as you decide how to publish, then deliberately move step-by-step towards that goal. Support for life beyond the book as you promote your work, grow your confidence to share your work and your skill in doing so, then write and produce your next book.

Does this sound like something you need?

Hope to see you next week!

Colleen McCubbin

Founder & Publisher: Siretona Creative

Founder and President: The Book Hatchery

p.s. Summer School officially starts on July 14th, but If you sign up right away, you'll get two early sessions:

(1) Today (Tuesday evening) at 7:00 pm MT -- a gentle, guided gathering where we’ll help you explore and name:

• What you’re bringing into Summer School
• What you need most right now
• Your next faithful step as a writer or author

Come as you are. You do not need a polished manuscript, a perfect plan, or complete clarity. You just need a desire to keep moving in good company.

(2) A co-writing session on Monday, July 13 with Kimberly Dawn Rempel.