Since 1997, I have been involved with folks whose purpose in contacting me is to turn their manuscripts into books. They want to be not only writers, but Authors. Published authors and, dare they dream, self-supporting published authors.
Most of them want book tours, autographing parties, their book on a shelf at Barnes & Noble (preferrably an endcap with no competitors), their book in the "Literary Guild" catalog (or maybe Quality Paperback Book Club's...). They want to get e-mails from people whose lives were changed by reading what they wrote. I confess to a bit of that desire myself...
The desire to be published is a societal step-up from the desire to be heard. Writers just want to be heard by as many people as possible and for as many generations as possible. In some folks it is attached to the desire for wealth and fame, but not for as many as one might think.
It is great to read a manuscript that needs little editing ... that takes on a life of its own and demands to be a book, earning that right simply by the arrangement of letters on a page. An arrangement that creates an alternate world with characters, scenery, and action. Magic!
Other manuscripts, like a sturdy house, need construction work. Sometimes things get messier before they get better. In all cases trust and patience are key. Hope helps too...
I once read an article by Erma Bombeck years ago on the natural optimism of dogs. Writers have that as well, I've found. They are optimistic about the chances of their work being published, being sold, being considered worthwhile. It is difficult when the truth is otherwise and one could never delight in being right in such a situation.
Technology has changed the way books are produced, the economics and business set-up of publishing and a host of other things. Technology can never change the magic of words well written.
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5 comments:
Craig, I have now learned what the little symbol does next to the comment date... didn't mean to delete your message and am now looking for my glasses... I am not developing new talent at this point, though I have in the past. Most of my work now consists of being hired by authors or publishers and my areas of specialty are history, business, consumer medical, biography, and fiction. I also illustrate and work on childrens books. But, thank you for thinking of me though. Janice
You're absolutely right, Alex. The Internet has changed the landscape of printed publishing and the retail book industry, especially in terms of volume. Of course, there are books that are best left existing in the traditional sense, but mass market paperbacks (due to their one-time use and impermanent wood-pulp paper); reference books that become quickly out of date; and any book that is primarily for disseminating information, will one day find itself imprinted on something other than paper.
Self-publishing used to mean poorly edited, poorly produced and an endeavor so embarrassing no self-respecting author would admit to it. That is no longer the case, and authors can hire "book shepherds" who act as general contractors and oversee the entire production (and sometimes marketing) process.
One look at a publisher's financial report direct from their distributor and it's plain to see why the very structure of retail publishing will change right along with technology. No other business survives using the ridiculous retail principles commonplace in publishing. Stores, wholesalers, distributors and publishers may be forced to change the way they do business as they face a makeover launched by new technology.
For the reader, however, this means sometimes it's harder than ever to find and identify a worthy book. Good news for any author who already has a following, but a difficult hill to climb for new authors, as the reading public is put off by poorly edited and produced books that have made their way through production and now stand side-by-side with trade books on Amazon. Amazon, the great equalizer, can sell each at a great discount off retail, and sell them over and over again with no additional royalties going to the author. The author's get frustrated and decide to self-publish and, well, you see the cycle. It will all sort itself out, however, and I do believe that a worthwhile book (or e-book) has a life of its own and will, eventually, get the recognition it deserves...if one's patience and marketing budget can only hold out that long!
Ugh, how frustrating! I was copying my blog into a Word document, and when I selected hypertext in the Word document, it accidently deleted Alex's insightful comment. So, here it is and I will be watching that delete button more carefully in the future!
Alex said...
Your blog got me to thinking which is always good. It suddenly occurred to me that paper publishing is on the slippery slope to oblivion in terms of volume. The Internet and the invention of Blogging has allowed everybody to publish their 2 cents worth literally to the wide world for the basic cost of an Internet connection. Just think, world wide distribution, and low cost. True, most of what is written would make you cringe but hey most of us have to start at the bottom unless you have horseshoes.
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