The Eight-Year-Old’s Ambition For Lynda Williams, the desire to be an author wasn’t a passing phase; it was a foundational identity she claimed at just eight years old. Unlike many who find their way to writing later in life, Lynda saw early success as a “stringer” or correspondent for her local newspaper while her peers were still mowing lawns. However, the path from a high school byline to a published book was far from linear. Lynda candidly shares that life eventually “got busy,” and she spent her twenties and early thirties struggling with a loss of faith in her own voice.

The Seven-Year Silence and the Pandemic Spark There was a significant period—seven years, to be exact—where Lynda didn’t write a single short story. Discouraged by the “snail mail” rejection cycles of the past and a lack of headway, she stepped away from her goals. It took the global pandemic and a bit of “productive envy” to bring her back. Watching others use their time to publish work inspired her to sign up for the mentorship program at Humber Polytechnic, a move she credits as a major stepping stone toward her eventual publishing deal.

Standing for Artistic Integrity One of the most empowering moments in Lynda’s journey occurred during the querying process. An agent reviewed her query and recommended that she increase her 40,000-word manuscript to 60,000 words before submitting. While many debut authors might have scrambled to add the extra length, Lynda refused.

She knew her collection of stories was thematically complete and artistically compressed. “I’m not writing half again,” she decided, choosing instead to pitch the work to small presses that would value her specific vision. This led her to Guernica Editions, proving that staying true to the “art and craft” is often more important than following arbitrary industry rules.

The “Batting Average” Mindset To survive the emotional toll of the publishing industry, Lynda had to reframe how she viewed rejection. In the early days of “handwritten responses” and “snail mail,” a rejection could feel like a crushing blow that lasted for months. Today, Lynda views it as a numbers game. She suggests that if you can move the needle on the number of rejections you receive, you will naturally move the needle on the number of acceptances as well. It is a “batting average” mentality: the more you “swing” by submitting your work, the more likely you are to hit a home run.

Finding Your “Team Sport” After signing her contract, Lynda had to navigate a two-and-a-half-year wait before her book was released. This “limbo” period taught her that the meaning-making process of a book is a team sport between the writer and the reader. Once the book is in the reader’s hands, the author’s portion is done.

Her final advice for female authors sitting on the fence is to find a community. Writing can be a solitary act, but the journey of publication—including both the successes and the failures—is much more bearable when shared with others. By offering and receiving feedback, you not only improve your own work but also ensure that you don’t have to face the “lonely” moments of the industry alone.