Top Ten (Or More) Mistaken Beliefs of Unpublished Writers
By Jimmy Butts
Writer's Workshop
June 21, 2002

1. Whaddya mean I'm working in a vacuum and don’t understand the publishing business?
2. Rules? What rules? I don’t need no stinkin’ rules.
3. This will be easy. My family and friends love my writing.
4. The world’s readers can’t wait to read my family history.
5. My story is important. I've worked so hard on it. A big time, traditional publisher will absolutely jump on it.
6. If stars of the WWF can write a book—mine will be a classic.
7. Anyone who reads as much as I do can easily write a best selling book.
8. My publisher will provide plenty of advertising for my work, and arrange all my book signings.
9. The acquisitions editor will fix any problems that might exist with what I’ve written.
10. Once published, my book will appear on the shelves of every bookstore in the known and unknown world.
11. I'll tirelessly promote this book as soon as I’ve selected a publisher, and allowed it to be published in hardback
12. I'm gonna make a fortune off my book.