Into the Fire

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Enough!

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There is a limit to how much we can take of certain ideologies, practices, events, actions, and many more things. But since we discuss a lot of writing issues on this blog, let's start there.

Recently a well known and very talented novelist wrote a letter to her publisher and fans and the publishing world in general to inform them that she was bowing out of the writing circus. She gave more than one reason, but the main reason was because she couldn't do what was being asked of her. She couldn't market like this new season in publishing demands because admittedly she had no talent for it, no desire to promote, and no incentive to attempt it. She is, or was, after all, a writer and never pretended to be anything else. Since some of her novels didn't become bestsellers, she felt her bottom line for earnings didn't warrant any loyalty from her publisher, nor did her publisher offer to pick up any slack her lack of marketing skills incurred. For those of us who appreciated her wonderful abilities to write, it came as a huge surprise.

For me, I got it. There is a heavy load on today's authors to do all or most of the primary marketing for their books. Indies definitely must promote themselves and their work in order to break into any kind of recognition for their self or custom published works. But some of us simply cannot do it effectively – or willingly. Regardless of all the demands and with the understanding of what's at stake - i.e. the hope of selling a number of books – no matter who says what about the absolute "must-dos", marketing is for a particular group with a remarkable skill set who can be fearless in selling a product. It is possible that others of us have no such skills in self-promotion and selling our wares no matter how much we might want to.

There came a time in this author's life when she decided for this season enough was enough. Whether or not she will ultimately stay away from writing for good, only she and the Lord know. I think it's a sad day for publishing when a genuinely good writer lays down her pen/keyboard because of the demands which don't pertain to her actual talent. Authors are innumerable. Really good ones: not so much.

Enough was enough. And in this case it's too bad.

 

Father, whatever you have for her, please bless the next step. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

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4 responses to “Enough!”

  1. BK Jackson Avatar
    BK Jackson

    That’s why I’m glad indie publishing has taken a stronger hold. I didn’t hear about this particular case you are referring to but I’m sure this author isn’t the only one to bow out.
    As you say, in indie publishing you have to self-promote to have any hope of selling a decent quantity of books. I get that. But if you never had any designs on making your millions on your writing, what does it matter? Those who simply write to write and think to share it are somehow relegated to a closet, set apart from “the movers and shakers” of the writing industry. But the quiet, take it as it comes writers are still there and still important–maybe not to the publishing machine, but to the designated readers out there destined to be the better for the works they’ve read by that author.
    Being a self-promoter isn’t now and never will be my bag.

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  2. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    I’ve yet to see a concrete approach that works for publicizing fiction. It’s easy once an author has success. Readers wait in line for their next book, write 5-star Amazon, et al, reviews and build an even bigger audience via word of mouth. Then when books fly off the shelves, authors do some giveaways and of course they get huge responses, so some marketers think this is marketing genius (to give stuff away), but really it’s just that already successful author who is generating this kind of all world response.
    Real marketing is finding a way to sell an unknown quantity to an unknown audience. Very few have those mad skills. Look at commercials. I’ve even had a few of them make me decide I will NEVER buy the product because the ads are so disgusting or distasteful.
    I cannot market my work. I can only promote it by discussing the characters, style, plot, etc. End of story. Pun intended.

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  3. Brenda Anderson Avatar
    Brenda Anderson

    I read the post from this author, and it deeply saddens me. She is truly gifted and has such a unique way to look at the world. I didn’t always agree with that unique perspective, but I still read her works and appreciated her insight.
    As for the marketing end of this job–well, how many uniquely gifted authors have we seen give up? It’s more than marketing, it’s the base that purchases CBA novels who doesn’t want anything different, who eschew literary works. All the marketing in the world won’t make them like it.
    Also, one thing I generally don’t hear about when people talk marketing is charisma. Let’s face it, some people are gifted with a certain magnetism that instantly draws gobs of attention, while some of us have to work our butts off to gain a couple. That’s not a complaint, just a fact.

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  4. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    I didn’t always agree with her hinted at agenda in some of her novels, but she is indeed a gifted writer, and I hope she won’t completely throw in the towel. Indie publication potentially offers a decent return for the investment with her reputation and fan following.
    You make excellent points about marketing and charisma. And I know you’re not complaining, Bren. Marketing is a skill unrelated to writing. Some people can do both, but successfully? Not very often in fiction.

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