In this age of minimalism, do you ever wonder what things as a writer you should trash and what things you should keep? This dilemma became very real to me recently when my publisher announced they had decided to reissue all the books in my Daughters of the Faith series, with new covers. The first two books were written over twenty years ago! When the editor asked for visual story details for all eight books, I felt a moment of panic. Had I kept that information? Would I have to reread each book and redo setting info and character details? Happily, when I went to my computer files, there were all the original reference photos and descriptions. I’m surprised that in my obsessive need to keep my stuff minimal, I hadn’t decided to delete those files once the books had been covered and published. *huge sigh of relief*
It made me reconsider, what should we trash once a book has been published and what should we keep? I don’t have the answer, but I thought I’d take a stab at this.
Research notes on your book– trash or keep? Keep these. Just as I found out, they may come in handy in the future. For me it was new covers. One of my authors, Tessa Afshar, was asked to do a special anniversary issue of her book, Pearl in the Sand, for the tenth anniversary, with all new information and a rewrite. I’m guessing her original material was priceless.
Reference photos– trash or keep? Again, keep these. Had I not had those photos it would have taken me days to amass all that information again.
Permissions– trash or keep? This is a big KEEP! These are legal documents, giving you permission to use someone’s story in your nonfiction book. If that person ever decided he changed his mind and wanted to come after you, these will be your defense. Yes, the publisher has copies as well but you must keep these as a failsafe.
Correspondence from editors– trash or keep? This one is up to you. Most of it is everyday stuff and can be tossed once the book is published but some might need to go in the keep pile.
Correspondence from the marketing team– trash or keep? Probably trash except the actual marketing plan, once the publicity period is over. However some of this is such fun, like memes and ads. Keepsake stuff.
Important reviews—- trash or keep? Keep. These belong with the book.
Letters from readers– trash or keep? This one is up to you. After you’ve answered them (and put the contact information in your reader database) there is no pressing need to keep them, but you’ll probably want to choose a few to treasure.
Edits– trash or keep? Keep! When books go out-of-print, many authors seek a return of rights so they can indie-publish the book. These edits will help with that task.
Rights reversal letter– trash or keep? Absolutely keep! This is also a legal document and you have the only original. Send a copy to your agent but you are now owner of the rights to your book.
There is so much more, but I think those will get you started. Don’t just be lucky, like I was. Plan ahead for what you might need in the future. Be intentional in what you decide to trash or keep.
Favorite 2020 Reads
Wendy, I would add one other item to the “keep” column. When you do interviews, be it for podcasts, radio, or TV, those contacts now are YOUR contacts. So keep the name and contact info for the person who helped to set up the interview as well as the name of the interviewer. When your next book releases, especially if it’s with a different publishing house, you can pull out your media list to personally contact the good people who helped to spread the word about your previous book.
Yes!!!
What are things that should remain,
and what to throw away?
It’s not a nod to Mem’ry lane
but knowledge of the day
when details fade back into the mist
of time, now lost to view,
and however tempts the minimalist,
can you be sure it’s through,
the project started long ago,
endeavour once begun?
How can a person truly know
that nevermore will come
the knock upon the bolted gate,
and “Eh, I’ve got some questions, mate..?”
Brilliant, as ever!
I will definitely keep this article in my files for reference. Though not published as yet I save all things ‘writing’ I may use later once published. My husband retired after 36 years as Hospital Dir. of Pharmacy a year ago but may be returning for Covid duty and needed his latest CV from 2008. Thankfully I had saved on my computer. I wish I were a minimalist.
Excellent tips. Thank you, Wendy.
I’m in the process of republishing a devotional book that released sixteen years ago and living this post! Although at the time I had no intention of republishing, I saved everything. When I moved two years ago, it all came with me.
Yes, keep those permissions. I used people’s stories in the anecdotes for my devotionals. They signed permissions allowing me to use their stories in any and all future editions. I’m grateful I don’t have to contact them again. I’m sure most of my contact info is outdated.
Before I started the republishing process, I spent some time going through everything I’d accumulated for this book, including my original book proposal. Since so much time had passed, this helped me to get back into the mindset of the book, my purpose and passion for writing it in the first place.
I saved all my marketing materials, including my marketing plan, radio and tv interview information, etc. Of course all of this must be translated into today’s book marketing methods, but the bones are there.
Thank you for your timely post, Wendy!
Thank you for this great list and, congratulations on your series being reissued. That’s fabulous!
I had never thought about most of this stuff! Thank you so much for this handy guide. Although, I doubt I’m at risk. I actually have my writing hours charts clear back to 2003. They came in handy when I lost 16 months worth of website updates though. I keep track of how many hours I spend on each manuscript and when I wrote the rough draft, revised, polished, and published. So when my site crashed, I lost all of my creative process updates. Thankfully, it just meant going back to those writing hours charts to see what I’d been working on and when. I’d also just saved my recent blogs, which was what got my heart pounding when I learned about the lost material. I have blogs going back to 2008 and they chronicle our family antics and all the crazy things my sons were doing way back then. I have them all backed up now, but that sure gives you a lurch of adrenaline!