I'm trying to get better at posting twice a week. I think the key is to do my posts at the same time and just schedule them, because every time I say I will get to the second post later, I never do. Anyway, that's just an aside since this post isn't about that...
I think that traditional publishing is dying. I've made no secret of this. In order to survive, it will need to be radically changed. Unfortunately, there are too many writers out there whose desperation keeps it just barely above water.
So many folks are desperate to be published, so they'll do anything to see themselves on the shelf at Barnes & Noble. That means accepting any terms a publisher will give them. They'll do re-writes that completely change the story, accept titles thrust upon them that have no bearing to the work, sign away rights that the publisher shouldn't have, and basically whore themselves out just to get that "chance" to be traditionally published.
I want to say that writers should show more backbone, but it's going to take a deluge to fix this because there are too many folks right now that will be happy to take your place if you bow out. And since publishers don't seem to have any more of an idea on what makes a good book than the average reader, they'll publish the next person to come along rather than have any need to chase you and your good work.
We need to be willing to go the indie route or tell publishers altogether to take a hike if we want this to change. Much like in dating, publishers can smell desperation, and it makes them drool at how much they can take advantage of the poor soul who just wants to have his or her book published. It's bad for writers and it's bad for readers. The only entity it's good for is publishers who can keep the line of willing peons moving.
We need more who are willing to not be peons. Desperate folks make for willing peons, and that gives all the power to traditional publishers. Don't be a peon.
I think that traditional publishing is dying. I've made no secret of this. In order to survive, it will need to be radically changed. Unfortunately, there are too many writers out there whose desperation keeps it just barely above water.
So many folks are desperate to be published, so they'll do anything to see themselves on the shelf at Barnes & Noble. That means accepting any terms a publisher will give them. They'll do re-writes that completely change the story, accept titles thrust upon them that have no bearing to the work, sign away rights that the publisher shouldn't have, and basically whore themselves out just to get that "chance" to be traditionally published.
I want to say that writers should show more backbone, but it's going to take a deluge to fix this because there are too many folks right now that will be happy to take your place if you bow out. And since publishers don't seem to have any more of an idea on what makes a good book than the average reader, they'll publish the next person to come along rather than have any need to chase you and your good work.
We need to be willing to go the indie route or tell publishers altogether to take a hike if we want this to change. Much like in dating, publishers can smell desperation, and it makes them drool at how much they can take advantage of the poor soul who just wants to have his or her book published. It's bad for writers and it's bad for readers. The only entity it's good for is publishers who can keep the line of willing peons moving.
We need more who are willing to not be peons. Desperate folks make for willing peons, and that gives all the power to traditional publishers. Don't be a peon.
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