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Dennison Mann, it could be worth thinking about
posted by
Azur
on May 26, 2005 at 3:05 AM
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L.E.Gant -interesting isn't it - a glut of books and some good people falling through the cracks. Mind you it happens in every field
posted by
Azur
on May 25, 2005 at 9:08 PM
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ARGUS, yes I am afraid it is - just like Blogit
posted by
Azur
on May 25, 2005 at 9:06 PM
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Anthony1Wiley, I think in some ways it is a casino or lottery. Like any gambling it's OK if you bet only what you can afford to lose. But yes, I do feel like I am getting somewhere
posted by
Azur
on May 25, 2005 at 9:05 PM
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MayB
It's the love of writing and the challenge that makes it a game. You're already a winner, and you will have bigger wins at this writing craft. Writing isn't a casino
posted by
WileyJohn
on May 25, 2005 at 7:26 PM
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MayB, perhaps the publishers' attitude
is just a special case of the general cultural trend to 'instant gratification'; developping authors and building readership is just too drawn out.
posted by
ARGUS
on May 25, 2005 at 5:05 PM
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Let's face it: there's a hell of a lot of books published every year - something like 60,000 to 70,000 NEW titles per year in the US alone. That's from the professional publishers (the ones that PAY the authors). Add in another 30,000 self-published books. And we'll ignore the vanity publishings - most of those are not intended to be sold. On top of that, there's reprints of stuff that sells - about another 50,000 titles. Please note: this does NOT include e-books, and there's now a few million of those (I haven't counted; it could be a lot less or a lot more). All of these are competing for the same disposable dollars.
So, first, it takes TIME to set up a publishing run - say 3,000 copies. WIth editors, proofreaders (who are going out of style), printers, etc. It takes something like 5 working days (spread over a couple of years) to produce those copies. That's 300,000 days EVERY YEAR, just for the new stuff. Even with 10 runs going at the same time, it's a wonder that the publishers manage to put out so many new books. Sure, reprints take a bit less time (most of it is already set up), but it still has to be added to the total.
You've already said, that as editor, you had to pick and choose what would fit into the space you had for articles. It was not always the best writing that you put in, although it all had to be of a high standard. Plus you had time constraints and deadlines to meet. That's the real constriction: there is not enough resources to put out authors who will not give at least break-even returns on a book.
So,obviously, people who should be published are going to fall into the cracks of the system. Nothing to do with wrting commercially or being better: just a matter of guessing whether those resources will be used to generate money to pay the writers or not!
posted by
L.E.Gant
on May 25, 2005 at 4:24 PM
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I'm not an author so my opinion means nertz, but here is something.
NPR had an article that said book publishers's strategy is to push out as many books, especialy genre fiction, each year as possible.More than they are willing or even able to promote. I don't know how to live and work in that environment, but I do know that one would need tokeep one's motivation elsewhere from money and fame.
posted by
majroj
on May 25, 2005 at 12:36 PM
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they just keep writing regardless...can't do anything else
posted by
MysticGmekeepr
on May 25, 2005 at 8:51 AM
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Wash dishes.
posted by
cmoe
on May 25, 2005 at 7:49 AM
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Things have changed for sure MayB.
There are still small presses (certainly here in Canada) that publish unique and niche novels, but by and large you gotta work the angles of what sells instead of what you love. There is something inherently wrong with that.
posted by
MerryAnne
on May 25, 2005 at 6:02 AM
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MayB, unfortunately the almighty dollar
has us all by the short and curlies. Nobody's willing to wait and most seem to want to make their first million today without any delays. In the meantime, it seems that we writers will have to be brilliant or go bust!
posted by
word.smith
on May 25, 2005 at 5:04 AM
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Simple Solution:
Let's form a writer's bloc. DM
posted by
Dennison..Mann
on May 25, 2005 at 4:33 AM
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May, I've heard the same things you have and today, unfortunately or not, it's all about the dollar and publishers are all too often not willing to take risks with authors whose books might not sell. I don't know the facts and figures, but I believe the amount of readers worldwide is falling, or not so much falling but changing. I've read that less people are buying new books, especially expensive ones, choosing rather to buy second hand books or read ebooks. I agree its sad that good writers are overlooked and I have no suggestions for bad waiters...
posted by
Ca88andra
on May 25, 2005 at 4:10 AM
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Dennison Mann...................................
Yes, my partner thinks that matters are pointing to him starting up a small publishing house. I do believe it is tougher now. I heard an interview recently with the man who won the Man Booker prize in Britain who said that in both Britain and the US it was very tough now and that he knew fine writers who simply could not get published at the moment.
Sure talent gets through but on the other hand some fairly crappy stuff sells by the millions.
I seriously do wonder how talented writers who are part of niches can survive (particularly if they are lousy at waiting tables)
posted by
Azur
on May 25, 2005 at 3:56 AM
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May
Seems like an opportunity for starting your own literary agency, doesn't it? I've encountered a few excellent writers right here on Blogit.com whose work only needs some skilled editing and promotion. What's more, from every account I've ever heard, JK Rowlings wrote her first Harry Potter novel during trips to the local laundromat. I'd hardly call that starting at the top.
Face it, writing is a very competitive field. Still, the cream manages to rise to the top, but staying on top has always been the most difficult challenge for authors. Talent always carries the day. DM
posted by
Dennison..Mann
on May 25, 2005 at 3:37 AM
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CeeSee, thank you and welcome. We are all on a journey, or in a cul de sac. Not sure what but I don't worry too much but I do think it's sad for people that things have got so tough
posted by
Azur
on May 24, 2005 at 11:49 PM
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Elan27, even the very successful authors are saying that if they were starting out now they might never have made it and expressing concern that many good writers can't get published.
Thanks for your comment. I am OK, it was more of a general post about what I heard. I think it's good that people don't give up
posted by
Azur
on May 24, 2005 at 11:48 PM
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Hang in there
I am new to this whole gig, just plucked up the guts to actually write something on this site today. The whole "writer" thing seems like a distant dream to me too but I suppose everyone starts somewhere. I have had no experience with publishers or agents yet but I imagine it will be like every other big business these days, bottom line the priority. Just keep pluggin!
posted by
CeeSee
on May 24, 2005 at 11:39 PM
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No offences, but i guess we all have our course of strides. Though I may disagree, that publishers have stuck by people who were beginning from scratch. They all had to make a particular postion before they had peole to stick by them. It has to be convincing! And no, dont consider urself so weak, u arn't, and u must believe!
posted by
Elan27
on May 24, 2005 at 11:07 PM
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