Volition Series discussion
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Why Couldn't I Have Had Different Career Aspirations?!
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Totally agree and I know the agony only too well. Writers deserve to be read because they pour heart and soul into their work. I agree with the saying that authors sit down at the keyboard and open a vein.
It can be demoralizing attempting to even get an old-school agent/publisher to even read your work if you're a new author. Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manual is a wake-up call about the realities of today's publishing world. Thank God for the internet which has blown the whole thing open and given writers a much-needed outlet for their work.
I remember sending out my first 3 chapters, covering letter, synopsis, return postage, self-addressed postcard for them to acknowledge receipt of my work, all costing me a fortune, then I'd have to wait best part of a year, and all I got back was my work with the usual mass-photocopied rejection letter. I always packed my material a certain way and when I got it back I could tell that it hadn't even been read. I sympathize with other new writers who are going through this same frustration. Some get lucky and land a contract, but so many never make it past the slush pile.
So-called "celebrity" books play a large part in why it's so hard for real authors. I get angry when I walk into a book store and see entire book-shelves crammed with garbage by a talentless nobody who went on a TV "reality" show, then landed a book contract on the back of it. And in so many cases they didn't even write the book, it was ghost written for them.
Art seems to have been pushed out of the industry, a lot of it seems to be about making fast money off a name.
It can be demoralizing attempting to even get an old-school agent/publisher to even read your work if you're a new author. Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manual is a wake-up call about the realities of today's publishing world. Thank God for the internet which has blown the whole thing open and given writers a much-needed outlet for their work.
I remember sending out my first 3 chapters, covering letter, synopsis, return postage, self-addressed postcard for them to acknowledge receipt of my work, all costing me a fortune, then I'd have to wait best part of a year, and all I got back was my work with the usual mass-photocopied rejection letter. I always packed my material a certain way and when I got it back I could tell that it hadn't even been read. I sympathize with other new writers who are going through this same frustration. Some get lucky and land a contract, but so many never make it past the slush pile.
So-called "celebrity" books play a large part in why it's so hard for real authors. I get angry when I walk into a book store and see entire book-shelves crammed with garbage by a talentless nobody who went on a TV "reality" show, then landed a book contract on the back of it. And in so many cases they didn't even write the book, it was ghost written for them.
Art seems to have been pushed out of the industry, a lot of it seems to be about making fast money off a name.
Mod
You just made so many good points I don't know where to begin! haha. Celebrity authors bug me the most, so I'll focus on that. Everyone has a story. Everyone. Why should I care about someone's story just because they were on TV? It's probably not as good as mine! haha. And if they can't write it themselves...in their own words...then why bother? I don't know. That might just be me. Ok, I know it's not just me.
And speaking of Queries...I just sent out 7 and, though I have a good feeling, who even knows!? It's a scary thing to have your work rejected. It's personal. And you feel like you're in a line-up getting read to be picked for the softball team. In school I was always picked last...
But the Indie world of writing is fabulous! So many authors are willing to help each other out and there are plenty of readers who don't care about agents or publishing companies. They just care about the story.
I'm starting out. I know that I have flaws and room to grow in my writing. By why should I be denied the chance to grow as a writer?
Shawn wrote: "John wrote: "Totally agree and I know the agony only too well. Writers deserve to be read because they pour heart and soul into their work. I agree with the saying that authors sit down at the keyb..."
One of my favorite actors is James Woods. I’ve been told that I graduated from the same school of “intense” that he did – LOL. This characteristic is most evident in me when I walk into book stores and I’m suddenly looking at cases groaning under the weight of worthless celebrity books.
I can’t remember who said the following, but I agree with it:
“The word celebrity means to celebrate something. I don’t know what we’re supposed to be celebrating with these people.”
I think it might have been James Woods who said that, although I could be wrong. If anyone knows for sure, please let me know.
Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get anything back from the queries, you’ve sent out so far. I remember having so many that I felt I could paper the walls of my house with them.
I remember reading about the author Frederick Forsyth. His novel Day of the Jackal was rejected almost 40 times before a small publisher took it on. Since then it’s an international best-seller and made into a movie. Two of the reasons the “big” publishing houses gave: no reader appeal and an ending that you already know because he wrote about a real President.
Those publishers who rejected him must have regretted it big time.
Don’t take it personally if you get a rejection slip. Chances are they haven’t even read your work and even if they did … it still just comes down to one person’s opinion. I have readers tell me that my work is not for them. It’s no big deal. You can’t please everyone.
Like you say, you’re just starting out, so you have time on your side :)
One of my favorite actors is James Woods. I’ve been told that I graduated from the same school of “intense” that he did – LOL. This characteristic is most evident in me when I walk into book stores and I’m suddenly looking at cases groaning under the weight of worthless celebrity books.
I can’t remember who said the following, but I agree with it:
“The word celebrity means to celebrate something. I don’t know what we’re supposed to be celebrating with these people.”
I think it might have been James Woods who said that, although I could be wrong. If anyone knows for sure, please let me know.
Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get anything back from the queries, you’ve sent out so far. I remember having so many that I felt I could paper the walls of my house with them.
I remember reading about the author Frederick Forsyth. His novel Day of the Jackal was rejected almost 40 times before a small publisher took it on. Since then it’s an international best-seller and made into a movie. Two of the reasons the “big” publishing houses gave: no reader appeal and an ending that you already know because he wrote about a real President.
Those publishers who rejected him must have regretted it big time.
Don’t take it personally if you get a rejection slip. Chances are they haven’t even read your work and even if they did … it still just comes down to one person’s opinion. I have readers tell me that my work is not for them. It’s no big deal. You can’t please everyone.
Like you say, you’re just starting out, so you have time on your side :)
Mod
haha, I agree. I like movies and there are actors that I like but...that's it. I'm not really interested in what they think of politics or fashion. Just because they're in the public eye doesn't make their view is any more profound... They have stories about "getting to the top"...don't we all?
Yeah, I've gotten three responses back, I've only sent out seven, I don't want to sit around waiting for dozens of people to get back to me. I just want to finish the journey of writing my book. Why should that be on someone else's timeline? So while I've sent out queries I am not holding my breath. I feel confident about the story and my submissions so if it's "not for them" then it's their loss, not mine.
As you said, it's one person...their opinion counts of course, it's why I sought them out, but it's not the ONLY opinion.
Being a writer is a competitive and at times brutal career path to take. Every book you write is like your child. They have their flaws and imperfections but you still love them, why might other people not love them too?
Sending out queries, writing summaries, figuring out just the right way to promote your books...feeling like you're pimping yourself out! Advertising your book and advertising yourself go hand-in-hand. If people like you then maybe they'll like your book. All of the writers I've met since publication have been so helpful and nice. It's like being optimistic and nice are two MUSTs when it comes to being a self-promoting writer.
Writers, hopeful writers, share your concerns, experiences, vent...let it all out! Let's see if we can help each other along in this rewarding but at times painful process! :)