Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Cummings.
Hi Lindsay, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I grew up in Carrollton and never gave much thought to becoming a professional creative. It wasn’t until I became very sick with Chronic Fatigue upon graduating high school that I turned to my creative talents as a way to cope. Writing became an outlet, and later, a passion and career. Through a LOT of rejection, and a lot of different series, some that have failed in terms of sales and others that have landed me on the New York Times Bestseller list, I’ve realized that art is subjective, and as long as I’m passionate about what I’m doing, it’s worth every moment put into it. (Photography was an afterthought and has since become a secondary passion!)
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think many people forget that being an author is considered part of the entertainment industry, and traditional publishing is incredibly difficult to break into. I racked up 150 rejections from agents on my first book until finally scratching that, writing another, and landing an agent…only to get numerous rejections from big NYC publishing houses. When I finally landed my first book deal at 18, I thought that would be it. I thought I’d be with the same editor and same publisher forever. But it turns out nothing is ever 100% in publishing. Sales matter! I’ve had some series do very well while others have not done quite as much, and I didn’t realize I’d be bouncing around from editor to editor, publishing house to publishing house, even country to country. I’ve had agent switches, international tours, NYT bestsellers, and then books that have tanked right after. I’ve taken a 2-year sabbatical from writing just to escape the business and find a love for the art again…and after all that, I still haven’t quit. LOL. All that is to say, it’s been a wild ride. I wouldn’t trade any of it!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a #1 NYT Bestselling Author of Science Fiction and Fantasy novels for HarperCollins and Harlequin. I’m most proud of never quitting in an industry that breeds a lot of “giving up” when the dream doesn’t come easy. I’m no one special. I’m just more stubborn than most and refuse to stop believing in my own art.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I recently took a full 2 years off of writing because I was sick of it. That’s not hard for me to admit because I think every artist comes to a point in their career when they just need a break, a way to clear their head and their creativity, and find a love for it again. I’m back at it, 3 chapters into my latest book for Harlequin UK, and I’m having a blast again.
The break was worth it!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lindsaycummingsbooks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlindsaycummings/
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00FP41UR8/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=b15dbbb5-b678-400d-bca8-913d5b0bfa67&store_ref=ap_rdr&ref_=ap_rdr
