Raw but Honest Writing
In case you missed it, here’s a rough transcript of Writing Help KC’s Author Interview with Lianne Saffer.
Lianne Saffer wrote, Please, Don’t Send Me Flowers, a gripping and vulnerable memoir about divorce, coming out, and having breast cancer. Her prose is as fierce as she is—and her author voice is so tangible that you feel like she’s your friend by the end of the book. Don’t miss out on Lianne’s infectious sarcasm and her knack to speak the truth that resonates with so many of us. It’s available on Amazon now!
And follow Lianne’s inspirational journey here and on Instagram.
In this interview, we covered a range of topics from the memoir writing process to the challenges of self-publication and marketing. To watch the interview with Lianne and Val, visit the Writing Help KC account on Instagram (@writinghelpkc).
(0:00:00)
Lianne wants people’s everyday struggles to be seen and validated.
She didn’t imagine publishing, but others encouraged her because they loved her story so much.
Struggle to wrap up divorce, coming out, and cancer into one package in the book.
(0:05:00)
Lianne wanted readers to see themselves in the book and relate to a struggle, not necessarily all of the struggles.
Memoirs are difficult and humbling when you publish on your own, so reviews (such as Amazon) and recommendations are important.
Val recommends purchasing a copy and sharing it with friends to support authors, as well as sharing book recommendations on Instagram/social media.
Lianne spent two years on the book, started writing during treatment and worked her way backwards. The effects of treatment and weight of the project were challenging, especially determining what to share.
Lianne decided to publish the book during quarantine because she didn’t have an excuse anymore.
It was difficult to find structure for writing, but then finding an editor was also an undertaking because of the large size of the memoir.
Lianne had accountability from peers and her wife, and everyone pushed her to keep going with publishing because they knew the book would help people.
(0:10:00)
Val also recommends that authors have a community of supporters for the writing and self-publishing processes.
Lianne was surprised about all of the editing and design steps, needed to find grace for herself as she learned everything on her own.
Val stated that editing can be four to six weeks worth of work for the editor and author to create a unified product and dive into all levels of editing. Traditional publishing can take up to three years if someone sells the book to a publisher.
Lianne didn’t want to wait an additional two years for traditional publishing even though she queried.
Lianne said it’s hard to know how much to share about other people involved in her story. She didn’t want to throw people under the bus, but she found balance to maintain relationships.
(0:15:00)
Lianne used the strategy to write everything like a diary, then she molded the pieces from there.
Val expressed that the book has the unique quality of being incredibly vulnerable and honest, which isn’t always the case with memoirs that have ghostwriters.
Lianne still finds sharing her story difficult, but she wants to inspire others with a ripple effect of honesty.
Val had to pause as she read the book because the story was so powerful.
Lianne shared she rarely finishes a book because she loses interest and is busy with children, so when she finds a good one, it’s because of a powerful author voice.
Val covered levels of editing: developmental editing and line editing.
(0:20:00)
Val suggested asking editors about their services and find a match for the self-publishing journey.
Lianne talked to three editors before deciding on Val. The others didn’t seem to be on the same page with her, so she said don’t go with the first recommendation.
She was terrified of feedback at first, but appreciated Val’s delivery as well as her kindness and motivation.
Val suggested that authors ask for sample edits, knowing that some authors charge for them. It shows how they present their ideas and how they will work with you.
Lianne learned she “sucked at grammar” and wanted to place ellipses everywhere.
Val works hard to provide feedback with direction and reason, not just critique.
Val will turn down work if she feels she is not a good fit for the project, she can refer those authors out to other editors
An editor’s costs vary. Val does the sample edit to determine how long it will take her, then makes a quote accounting for extra meetings the client might need, two rounds of editing, etc.
(0:25:00)
Val said it is an investment to get an editor, especially with her services that involve communication with the client and connecting them to bookstores/contacts. Not just editing and grammar, etc.
Lianne has been promoting her book on IG, but she didn’t look beyond publishing in the beginning. She assumed her follows would be her audience. With the pandemic it’s been difficult to get a physical presence in bookstores. She did a signing, which was really fun. She’s going to pitch a couple of chapters as stand-alone pieces to magazines for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Instead of hiring PR, she is trying to find email addresses to connect with her potential readers.
Lianne has learned word of mouth is the biggest reach for the book. She is the tree and needs other people to be her branches. And she wants to do the same for others.
Val suggested reaching out to local bookstores to carry your book.
Lianne has been doing podcast interviews. She has a podcast with Coming Out Happy in San Diego. The questions and discussion from each podcast host are different.
Lianne struggled with verb tenses during treatment and then previous years [because she’d written in like a journal].
Val suggested generally writing in past tense since it is a memoir. [But there are always exceptions.]
(0:30:00)
Present tense should be limited with current reflections. Sometimes authors start to sound like they’re reporting the past so they need to write about “what happened through you, not to you.”
If you’re ready to take the next step in your self-publishing journey, I (Val) would love to connect. I look forward to our future collaboration!