Writers Unite, or Why I'm Tired of Worrying about Waterstones
I woke up this morning, looked at my diary, and it clearly said "write blog." I knew exactly what I was going to write about, but as I read my friends' blogs over my morning coffee, I saw this scare-mongering article from the Guardian alluded to over and over: How Waterstones Killed Publishing. Okay. Deep breaths everyone.
Now, I have been called a pollyanna before (mostly by me). And I know that despite (or maybe because of) my propensity to go towards the bleak I try to look on "the bright side" as much as possible. But I can't keep quiet about this. Here are my thoughts. Be forewarned, my blood is boiling:
1. I have always told myself and all my students, if you don't need to write, then don't do it. Go work in an office. Sell ice cream. Be a fireman, whatever. Despite what it says all over the Writers' Guild literature, you can not write for money. If it comes to you, great. But don't expect it and don't rely on it. Especially not now.
2. Book shops and publishers and, yes, even agencies, are businesses, first and foremost. That, by definition, means that most will be risk averse, especially in a time of economic upheaval. It is not a surprise that the big booksellers only want to sell what they know will be bought. Nor is it a surprise that the publishers only want to publish what they know they can sell to the book stores. And it goes down the "food chain" from there. The fact that the writer is at the bottom of the food chain should also not be a surprise. It has ever been thus.
3. The more interesting question is not why, but why now? Yes, it's the economy which is making everyone suffer. But I believe it is about more than that. It is about technnology, and this, dear writers, is the good news. We are witnessing an industry running for its life. Every day, just like in the music business, models are developing whereby writers can produce their own work, market it, distribute it, reach a wide audience and make money from it. And all without the middle man. Today's technology makes this possible. The trick is to see this as an opportunity, not a death knell.
So to sum up: I love Waterstones. My own books have been on sale in their shops and it has always given me a huge thrill to see them on those shelves. I dearly hope and believe that my future books will be seen there as well. The people who work at Waterstones could be selling automotive parts, but they have chosen to put their considerable abilities towards selling books, and to me books are important and so kudos to them. But I REFUSE to be held hostage to their business plans. I have already given up writing out of fear once in my life. I, for one, am not going to do it again. Yes, I go to bed every night praying that some wonderful agent will recognize me and scoop me up and present me and my works to some huge international publishing house which will give me a 4 book deal, amazing advances and worldwide recognition. I already own the dress I will wear to the Oscars. BUT, even if that does not happen, I will still get my latest novel out to the public, not to mention my nearly completed poetry collection. There are people already waiting to read the new book -- maybe not 100,000's but enough to use the word "countless." If someone won't do it for me, I now know there are ways to do it myself. And it will be the publishers' loss, not mine. The list of writers I know personally for whom this is all also true is already quite long. And I'm just one lone blogger here in the sunny terraces of central London.
So for now, I'm putting on my little red beret, picking up my pen and daring to do what I love and what I do best. Write. I suggest that you all do the same. After all, if we don't do it, who will?
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About Sue
Though born and raised in New York, Sue Guiney has lived in London for nearly twenty years where she writes and teaches fiction, poetry and plays. Her work has appeared in important literary journals on both sides of the Atlantic, and her first book,...
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Great courage and well
Great courage and well written post on topic. By making it personal you attracted me. By making it clear I related to [it]. By being radically authentic and transparent I trust you, even though I don't know you, but should.
I have been told,"Always servin' it up good and hot!" by Leslie Bradford [ http://www.redroom.com/member/lslbradford ] and Mara Buck [ http://www.redroom.com/member/marabuck ]says,"You just keep bringing more and more good information to the table, Michael."
You might want to read some of my blog posts where I cover with great passion and interest, the writer, the publishing business, and the future of publishing in my curated posts with links to experts where necessary. What started as an interest turned me into a full blown researcher on the very things you talk about in your blog.
You are not alone in your feelings and observations,____Michael
Awesome blog
Great, candid stuff. I'm glad this is a featured blog on Red Room, you've offered some quality wisdom for unpublished authors.
- Anthony DiFiore
Writers Unite
Michael and Anthony: Thanks so much. I do believe that this "job" of ours is crazy enough without us undermining ourselves. My usual blog is http://sueguineyblog.blogspot.com if you'd like to read some more "quality wisdom" :-)
New Technology Is Exciting
Good job on thinking about writing in today's world. Hope you get to wear that dress someday.
Good post
I agree with the others that you said it, gal. Continue to motivate!
Excellent post. You've
Excellent post. You've offered me some wisdom and I can learn a lot from you. I also agree with what other commentators said. Please I can learn from someone like you and I truly respect you.
I love Waterstone's. I would
I love Waterstone's. I would probably move into my local branch, or the one in Bath, if they'd let me. The staff are amazing and have such a passion for books.
I am amazed that so many people can't get their noggins around the idea that publishers/agents/bookstores are in business to make money, and that they are going to do whatever is necessary to keep on doing that. Yearning for the 'good old days' is pointless... they are no more and will never return, and it's a matter of opinion as to whether or not they ever were terribly good. Times are changing, just as they should. And with these changes come all manner of new opportunities.
I, too, cannot be bothered with worrying about Waterstone's, or the end of publishing as we know it, whenever/if that takes place. I will go on writing, regardless of whatever is going on around me. I don't write in the hope of becoming wealthy... I began because it's what I do. And it's what I'll go on doing.
I don't have my dress for the Oscars... but I shall now work on it.
Taking that firm grip on technology
Very well put. Writing for money is a lot like an artist painting for money- the idea is grand, but the realities are harsh. But that doesn't mean they'll stay that way. The new POD technology is ushering in a new wave of authors, not bound by the cold, traditional avenues walked by their predecessors. Smaller, independent presses are popping up everywhere and making a name for themselves. Oh, the big boys turned up their noses at first, but now they seem to be taking a closer look. A small independent press, utilizing POD technology, can bring a gaggle of new authors to market with minimum risk. The marketing burden rests solely on the authors, so within that group a talented few will bob to the surface and make a name for themselves, and a few quid to go with it. With talent, energy and perseverance they will attain their place in bookshops small and large. So I agree completely, don't ever stop writing. After all, a good book will always be sought after and read, no matter who published it.
My Waterstone's Fantasy
Visiting Waterstone’s in Piccadilly tops my list of things to do each time I visit London. I begin to contemplate the five floors of books the moment I board my plane. Born and raised in England, I live in the US, and so far, I’ve not been in a bookstore to match Waterstone’s.
As a writer, I have pictured my novel displayed in their window, coupled with an elegant announcement about my book-signing event. I haven’t yet chosen my Oscar acceptance dress—it’ll take Steven a while to make the movie—so I’m holding off but keeping a close eye on Vogue. I am however, fashion-ready for my Waterstone’s signing.
I’ve attended many writers’ conferences and listened to authors talk about the years of effort and anguish they spent on getting an agent and publisher. Instead of investing my energies in this overcrowded arena with ever diminishing chances of success, I took advantage of the fantastic age we live in and published my book through Outskirts Press. “Dream Chaser,” A Novel That Reaches Beyond the Veil of Time, entered the world in the summer of 2009. I’ve learned more about the book publishing process than I ever imagined existed. I personally tackled most of the tasks performed by the staff of a large publishing house, and all via the Internet. I’ve also learned a bit about website design, and I make a valiant effort to stay abreast of and participate in the ever-evolving ways to market my book. All the while writing my next novel, The Brilliance due for publication in early 2010.
My books may never grace the windows of Waterstone’s, but with a click of a mouse, they can be seen anywhere by anyone in the whole wide world.
Well-worded Inspiration...thanks!
You're right. It wasn't as if the path for a writer was easy before let alone now. But if you don't find that integral reason to do it, it's easy to get lost. There has to be a core reason to produce, above and beyond all else. The rest will fall into place...says the pollyanna in me!
Writers should Write
It's so easy to get caught up in the publishing side of things and forget about the writing. We all base "success" on publication, but we also realize there is plenty of c*&p that gets published. Write on, sister Pollyanna....
Carol Newman Cronin
"Oliver's Surprise: A Boy, a Schooner, and the Great Hurricane of 1938."
That Was Outstanding
I am so glad you wrote this. You have explained in a very clear and well written voice why the path writers take is a lot harder than most realize
Writing and Money
Marcy Sheiner
Interesting POV. I hope you can manage to keep that determination going if things turn out so that you have to. What I mean is, that after four rejected novels, although I wrote a fifth, I've hardly sent it out to publishers or agents or editors. You kind of lose heart after awhile. I agree about the technology opportunities, though: I am thrilled I can blog to my heart's content without anyone telling me what I can and can't write, and people actually read me! It's been great fun, and will continue.
Thanks for provoking thought here.
Well done!
I really loved your post, blood boiling and all. Writing a book (or two, or five) and getting published is not for the faint of heart, it takes practice, patience and persistence to make it happen, and a little bit of luck. It's every writers dream to find the perfect agent, the perfect editor, the perfect publisher, get their books on shelves of the perfect bookstore, and into the hands of the perfect readers...unfortunately, not everyone is that lucky. But I feel lucky. As an independently published author I'm slogging my way onto readers bookshelves one book at a time and I feel very fortunate that I can do that. With the POD technology and the networking available, a darn good book that had been rejected several times by the industry gatekeepers is being enjoyed by readers internationally. Go figure...I smell opportunity, not a death knell...I'm leaving the fate of my books in the hands of readers, where they belong.
Laura J. W. Ryan
author of "Dusty Waters: A Ghost Story", published by Field Stone Press, 2009.
New Paradigms
Everything is always shifting. Publishing and books are no exception, but they have proven more stubborn than most things in embracing the new. I'm all for their stubborn attitude...I like them... (books, I mean). I think, though, that it IS time to embrace a lot of what the future holds, and to find ways to meld it with the "norm" that has existed for so long.
I don't know what Waterstones represents here, as it seems to be a European seller. I do know I just learned that a lot of my titles are there...and any time I see my books in a place people can buy them and read them, I'm all for it. I'm probably missing whatever the point is about how they are killing publishig, but like The Batman, and Superman, a lot of folks / things / ideas have tried to kill publishing, and yet, here we are...
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger...
DNW
Writing
Mary Lynn Archibald
You betcha! Back to writing. Today!