You are the kindest, kindest, kindest! Also, this: "Don’t get me started about the distinct challenges facing many women writers, who—like me—have opted for this work for its family-friendly benefits, only to realize that freelance work has none of the institutional benefits many male writers enjoy . . . That is a discussion for another day."
Definitely in the private phase of writing this book on misogyny and given how light the topic is, I'm already dreading the public phase. Publishing in its current iteration is broken, unless we're famous or have done/are doing something scandalous. (To be clear, I'm not interested in either of those as ways to sell my work.) The longer I'm in publishing, the more I thinking keep that we—the authors—may need to figure out how to disrupt the industry. And maybe the bigger, more daunting question is how do we disrupt people's reading and spending habits? Imagine if 50% of the folks who buy lattes e/day were willing to spend that on books or if folks were willing to read books instead of spending 1-4 hours on social media (stats for this vary widely but even an hour a day would translate to 1-2 books a week!)
I’ve embraced the hidden, the small. I’m two shy of 300 Substack subscribers and see my audience like a little parish church that I offer my words. I am grateful that Substack gives me the opportunity to find them. I self published my novel and sold 500 copies. Then went quiet on long form.
Donald Maas said word of mouth still works.
The problem is we are saturated in content. I buy books. It is hard to review them but will try.
Thank you, Jen. You've said so many things that I resonate with (while not complaining). I have wanted to quit many times as well. If writing wasn't vulnerable enough, now it is strapped to an algorithm or catchy marketing schemes. In moments, it feels rather impossible. And then other moments, when clarity comes for a visit, I embrace the work of writing (knowing it comes with this painful task of selling my writing too). Sometimes I feel very stuck. Sometimes I feel very free. I supposed this is the sanctifying process for my soul in the vocation I feel called too. Thank for you so beautifully putting words to my experience.
As someone who spends time on both sides of the publishing "desk" (as an author and editor at both an independent publisher and a big 5), I struggle with cynicism and discouragement almost constantly. But one thing I don't usually see mentioned in critiques of publishing is the thing that gives me the most hope: the people, my friends and colleagues, book lovers who champion their authors and really, really want to publish beautiful, inspiring, edifying, faithful writing. Yes, we need to figure out how to capture the attention and dollars of readers so that we can fulfill our duty to our employers (and because we want our authors to be successful for their sake too and because we believe our books will benefit the reader). Yes, a big platform is the easiest way we know to at least get eyes on a book, though there are plenty of people whose thousands or millions of followers are happy to consume whatever they give for free and have little interest in paying for anything more substantive. As for scandal, I won't say it never sells books, but I can't think of a single example in my experience where it did. On the contrary, it often means canceling or withdrawing a book or lower sales than expected, not to mention the heartache of the situation itself. This is getting long, so I'll just agree with you, Jen, and others that we all, as READERS, are the ones with the power and responsibility to make a change.
I really appreciate your vulnerability. As a reader, this is so helpful. As someone who wants to write books, this is also a sober reality. I am realizing that good and beautiful writing has to be the end goal rather than “success” by traditional measures.
After publishing my first book, I decided to use my time in writing other ways (blog, guest blogging, etc) Publishing a book is no longer about the writing but the marketing. Writing a book is wonderful but the world has changed.
I’m certainly not unfamiliar with the publishing world but still found this sobering. Thank you for the challenge to be a good literary citizen. Challenge accepted!
I’m three months out from my first book releasing and feeling so many of the tensions you cite here. Last year at this time, I had one job: write. This year, I feel like I have twenty-seven, and I’m not well-suited for most of them.
I have lots of swirly thoughts on all these things, but all this to say thank you for hosting this conversation, for not coming at it curmudgeonly but with thoughtfulness and grace and mindfulness of readers.
I think there are enough of us who want a new way forward and that keeps me hopeful.
This was so encouraging, Jen. I published a first book and have run into one obstacle after another for a second. The platform building aspect is exhausting, so thank you for giving voice to what so many feel.
Thank you for talking about this. I think the more that established writers address these challenges, it will give up-and-coming writers more confidence to not get tangled in the self-promotion in the first place. I know as a book marketer I am constantly trying to brainstorm ideas for creative and genuine ways of spreading the word about really good writing that I can apply to my own work and the work of those writers I admire.
How much do I love this post? Let me count the ways! Thank you for taking the time to put this together when you're not promoting a book. It makes it easier to absorb. I will say that I have been largely encouraged during the marketing phase of my first book this past month. My church has been incredibly supportive, for one. The hardest bit has been begging my local library to carry it after I donated two copies. But the work I've put in would certainly not be sustainable longterm!
Thanks, Jen. Each time I visit this space, I'm grateful for your thoughts which turn into words. And Lore Wilbert? Gosh, she's one of my fav writers, she's "top drawer, really top drawer" (Auntie Mame reference:)).
(sigh) I feel ALL this as a writer/former editor/now agent/still writer. It's definitely a muddy puddle, and I'm not sure dangling Florida-vacay carrots is the way forward, but then again, I could be wrong (but I don't think so). I know a number of writers wrestling this angel, trying to figure it out. It's exhausting, but we wrestle on...
You are the kindest, kindest, kindest! Also, this: "Don’t get me started about the distinct challenges facing many women writers, who—like me—have opted for this work for its family-friendly benefits, only to realize that freelance work has none of the institutional benefits many male writers enjoy . . . That is a discussion for another day."
Have this discussion today please ;)
Definitely in the private phase of writing this book on misogyny and given how light the topic is, I'm already dreading the public phase. Publishing in its current iteration is broken, unless we're famous or have done/are doing something scandalous. (To be clear, I'm not interested in either of those as ways to sell my work.) The longer I'm in publishing, the more I thinking keep that we—the authors—may need to figure out how to disrupt the industry. And maybe the bigger, more daunting question is how do we disrupt people's reading and spending habits? Imagine if 50% of the folks who buy lattes e/day were willing to spend that on books or if folks were willing to read books instead of spending 1-4 hours on social media (stats for this vary widely but even an hour a day would translate to 1-2 books a week!)
Writing is cheaper than therapy 🤣
I do appreciate your honesty here—as well as the work you pour into your craft. I recommend you to people often!😍
I’ve embraced the hidden, the small. I’m two shy of 300 Substack subscribers and see my audience like a little parish church that I offer my words. I am grateful that Substack gives me the opportunity to find them. I self published my novel and sold 500 copies. Then went quiet on long form.
Donald Maas said word of mouth still works.
The problem is we are saturated in content. I buy books. It is hard to review them but will try.
Thank you for your honesty here.
Thank you, Jen. You've said so many things that I resonate with (while not complaining). I have wanted to quit many times as well. If writing wasn't vulnerable enough, now it is strapped to an algorithm or catchy marketing schemes. In moments, it feels rather impossible. And then other moments, when clarity comes for a visit, I embrace the work of writing (knowing it comes with this painful task of selling my writing too). Sometimes I feel very stuck. Sometimes I feel very free. I supposed this is the sanctifying process for my soul in the vocation I feel called too. Thank for you so beautifully putting words to my experience.
As someone who spends time on both sides of the publishing "desk" (as an author and editor at both an independent publisher and a big 5), I struggle with cynicism and discouragement almost constantly. But one thing I don't usually see mentioned in critiques of publishing is the thing that gives me the most hope: the people, my friends and colleagues, book lovers who champion their authors and really, really want to publish beautiful, inspiring, edifying, faithful writing. Yes, we need to figure out how to capture the attention and dollars of readers so that we can fulfill our duty to our employers (and because we want our authors to be successful for their sake too and because we believe our books will benefit the reader). Yes, a big platform is the easiest way we know to at least get eyes on a book, though there are plenty of people whose thousands or millions of followers are happy to consume whatever they give for free and have little interest in paying for anything more substantive. As for scandal, I won't say it never sells books, but I can't think of a single example in my experience where it did. On the contrary, it often means canceling or withdrawing a book or lower sales than expected, not to mention the heartache of the situation itself. This is getting long, so I'll just agree with you, Jen, and others that we all, as READERS, are the ones with the power and responsibility to make a change.
I really appreciate your vulnerability. As a reader, this is so helpful. As someone who wants to write books, this is also a sober reality. I am realizing that good and beautiful writing has to be the end goal rather than “success” by traditional measures.
After publishing my first book, I decided to use my time in writing other ways (blog, guest blogging, etc) Publishing a book is no longer about the writing but the marketing. Writing a book is wonderful but the world has changed.
I’m certainly not unfamiliar with the publishing world but still found this sobering. Thank you for the challenge to be a good literary citizen. Challenge accepted!
'Is this the state of things, that we will only read a book if we can win prizes?'
Wow, Jen ... a bit of a wake-up call ... why do we do what we do, why do we buy what we buy?
I didn't realize the significance of pre-orders until I read Lore's post. As a reader and a writer, thanks for the good tips!
I’m three months out from my first book releasing and feeling so many of the tensions you cite here. Last year at this time, I had one job: write. This year, I feel like I have twenty-seven, and I’m not well-suited for most of them.
I have lots of swirly thoughts on all these things, but all this to say thank you for hosting this conversation, for not coming at it curmudgeonly but with thoughtfulness and grace and mindfulness of readers.
I think there are enough of us who want a new way forward and that keeps me hopeful.
This was so encouraging, Jen. I published a first book and have run into one obstacle after another for a second. The platform building aspect is exhausting, so thank you for giving voice to what so many feel.
Thank you for talking about this. I think the more that established writers address these challenges, it will give up-and-coming writers more confidence to not get tangled in the self-promotion in the first place. I know as a book marketer I am constantly trying to brainstorm ideas for creative and genuine ways of spreading the word about really good writing that I can apply to my own work and the work of those writers I admire.
How much do I love this post? Let me count the ways! Thank you for taking the time to put this together when you're not promoting a book. It makes it easier to absorb. I will say that I have been largely encouraged during the marketing phase of my first book this past month. My church has been incredibly supportive, for one. The hardest bit has been begging my local library to carry it after I donated two copies. But the work I've put in would certainly not be sustainable longterm!
Thanks, Jen. Each time I visit this space, I'm grateful for your thoughts which turn into words. And Lore Wilbert? Gosh, she's one of my fav writers, she's "top drawer, really top drawer" (Auntie Mame reference:)).
(sigh) I feel ALL this as a writer/former editor/now agent/still writer. It's definitely a muddy puddle, and I'm not sure dangling Florida-vacay carrots is the way forward, but then again, I could be wrong (but I don't think so). I know a number of writers wrestling this angel, trying to figure it out. It's exhausting, but we wrestle on...