Timing in this industry matters, too. My agent shared that 2023 was a tough year for acquisitions due to a backlog from the earlier post-pandemic years. Sometimes we do everything we can and then many factors are outside of our control. Also, greatly appreciate the point that stories are built, they don't just flow. When they're building as well as flowing, well, that's pure magic! Thanks for posting this!
Agreed! This has been true for my entire writing career. I tell people this a lot: you can make a living as a writer (I do)—you just have to write the kinds of books people want to buy —or publishers want to buy. Same with art—you can make a living as a painter, I know lots of people who do — you just have to make the kinds of paintings people want to buy. And fortunately, there are lots of different kinds of people, so lots of different kinds of paintings fit that definition!
Thank you for this! It's so confusing out there - I was told by an agent that she loved my book idea and that it was well-written, but she couldn't take me on. However, she said if I grew my platform I might have a chance at a big 5 publisher....I have a platform now, but no time to write....and no agent bites yet...so I've been struggling. This encourages me to focus more on the next writing and see where it takes me. :-)
The commerciality of the industry is spot on. Publishing isn't a charity. And all this should make a writer decide exactly WHY they are writing. If it's to make something that will go 'gangbusters', that's one thing (and they need to write accordingly); but if their motivation is not that, then that's okay too - as long as ambition and expectation are aligned. I suspect that's where most writers are disappointed.
Great point. Any motivation or ambition is fine (as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone), though I think even those with more “modest” ambition would do well to think about story and reader early and often.
Love the frankness of your article and your explanation of the ‘high concept’. It’s something that intimidates me when pitching my books. Some of my novels are high concept and some are not, at least not according to the version of high concept that publishers want. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on this not insignificant matter for authors.
I haven’t put my pic up yet. I’m new to Substack but I write as Annie J Ryan so you can see my mug there! .
You're right - a great story always stands out whether it is written simply or one has put so many different sentences just to attract the publisher. They're like minded people and know well that which story to choose for publication that will sell millions of copies. So, Writers must have a big story idea to be recognized internationally.
I need this. I’m going to re-read it until it’s seared in my brain so I can stop thinking that I have to have a huge platform before I can start querying my manuscripts.
I appreciate this distinction between great story and great book. And yes to break those rules! As a reader (and a writer) nothing makes me more excited.
I agree with most of this. I won't argue with your use of "trad" because I think I know what you mean: old-school, normal traditional publishing that isn't hybrid, gives you at least a nominal advance, and has the kind of distribution that does marketing and placement in bookstores, etc. Big Five publishing. New York City publishing. The kind of publishing we of a certain age just thought of as "getting published" back when we started out. Even with Big Five, mid-list authorship has changed a bit in the last couple of decades--and not for the betterment of the writers. It's not easy in ANY lane but for different reasons. As you point out, the key is to write a good story to the best of your ability. After that, other forces take over. Interesting post.
Yup. Definitely it's harder now in a lot of ways. I guess my point is, can 8000 followers on Twitter overcome a lackluster story? Nope. Can a great story people will want to buy overcome a small social media footprint? Yes.
Yes a great story CAN overcome a small media footprint . . .but I truly believe there are a lot of really excellent books out there unable to be found, unable to shine, because of the absolutely overcrowded marketplace.
I don’t think anyone has duped us really. To me is just that it’s such an opaque system and people are just trying to figure out what “works.” But yes, the idea is out there that all that other stuff is more important than the book. It’s easy to believe, yet still, I believe, untrue.
Mmmm, I think a lot of writers are duped into thinking they can become a best-selling author if they pay this person and that person and do this or that thing. There's a big topic here about who ACTUALLY benefits from the marketing industry-platform-publishing complex, but this forum probably isn't the place to get into it. Back to writing . . .
The sweet spot is ringing the overlap between what you want to write/paint and what people want to buy :)
Timing in this industry matters, too. My agent shared that 2023 was a tough year for acquisitions due to a backlog from the earlier post-pandemic years. Sometimes we do everything we can and then many factors are outside of our control. Also, greatly appreciate the point that stories are built, they don't just flow. When they're building as well as flowing, well, that's pure magic! Thanks for posting this!
I absolutely agree about timing. It can make or beak things.
Agreed! This has been true for my entire writing career. I tell people this a lot: you can make a living as a writer (I do)—you just have to write the kinds of books people want to buy —or publishers want to buy. Same with art—you can make a living as a painter, I know lots of people who do — you just have to make the kinds of paintings people want to buy. And fortunately, there are lots of different kinds of people, so lots of different kinds of paintings fit that definition!
Thank you for this! It's so confusing out there - I was told by an agent that she loved my book idea and that it was well-written, but she couldn't take me on. However, she said if I grew my platform I might have a chance at a big 5 publisher....I have a platform now, but no time to write....and no agent bites yet...so I've been struggling. This encourages me to focus more on the next writing and see where it takes me. :-)
The commerciality of the industry is spot on. Publishing isn't a charity. And all this should make a writer decide exactly WHY they are writing. If it's to make something that will go 'gangbusters', that's one thing (and they need to write accordingly); but if their motivation is not that, then that's okay too - as long as ambition and expectation are aligned. I suspect that's where most writers are disappointed.
Great point. Any motivation or ambition is fine (as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone), though I think even those with more “modest” ambition would do well to think about story and reader early and often.
Going on the hours I put in as an author and the skint financial compensation, I feel like I might be the charity. 🤣
Spot on, Sara. Control what we can control, hey?
It keeps me sane to just remember, I can write a good book. That’s in my control and it will make a difference.
Love the frankness of your article and your explanation of the ‘high concept’. It’s something that intimidates me when pitching my books. Some of my novels are high concept and some are not, at least not according to the version of high concept that publishers want. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on this not insignificant matter for authors.
I haven’t put my pic up yet. I’m new to Substack but I write as Annie J Ryan so you can see my mug there! .
Thanks for reading! I’m glad it
Was helpful :)
You're right - a great story always stands out whether it is written simply or one has put so many different sentences just to attract the publisher. They're like minded people and know well that which story to choose for publication that will sell millions of copies. So, Writers must have a big story idea to be recognized internationally.
Thank you, Sara. This removes a lot of clutter. 💛
This is so encouraging! I've struggled to balance writing with promoting my writing to increase my chances of getting published. I needed this <3
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this! I'm starring it in my email inbox so I can reread as often as needed!
Oh good! I’m glad it’s helpful.
Totally love and agree!
I need this. I’m going to re-read it until it’s seared in my brain so I can stop thinking that I have to have a huge platform before I can start querying my manuscripts.
You don’t!!! Not if you write fiction!
I appreciate this distinction between great story and great book. And yes to break those rules! As a reader (and a writer) nothing makes me more excited.
Very often the same is true for agents and editors
That Olympia tho. *swoon*
Right? It's so beautiful. I wrote on it when I was like 12, and now it's mine. You can even still get ribbon!
I have several Olympias in my collection. They are lovely!
I agree with most of this. I won't argue with your use of "trad" because I think I know what you mean: old-school, normal traditional publishing that isn't hybrid, gives you at least a nominal advance, and has the kind of distribution that does marketing and placement in bookstores, etc. Big Five publishing. New York City publishing. The kind of publishing we of a certain age just thought of as "getting published" back when we started out. Even with Big Five, mid-list authorship has changed a bit in the last couple of decades--and not for the betterment of the writers. It's not easy in ANY lane but for different reasons. As you point out, the key is to write a good story to the best of your ability. After that, other forces take over. Interesting post.
Yup. Definitely it's harder now in a lot of ways. I guess my point is, can 8000 followers on Twitter overcome a lackluster story? Nope. Can a great story people will want to buy overcome a small social media footprint? Yes.
Yes a great story CAN overcome a small media footprint . . .but I truly believe there are a lot of really excellent books out there unable to be found, unable to shine, because of the absolutely overcrowded marketplace.
Yes. Totally agree. And many publishers are risk averse and want minor variations on the same damn thing over and over.
Totally. We’ve been duped into thinking we need to spend all this time doing stuff other than writing and perfecting our craft.
I don’t think anyone has duped us really. To me is just that it’s such an opaque system and people are just trying to figure out what “works.” But yes, the idea is out there that all that other stuff is more important than the book. It’s easy to believe, yet still, I believe, untrue.
Mmmm, I think a lot of writers are duped into thinking they can become a best-selling author if they pay this person and that person and do this or that thing. There's a big topic here about who ACTUALLY benefits from the marketing industry-platform-publishing complex, but this forum probably isn't the place to get into it. Back to writing . . .
I see your point. There are a lot of people making money helping authors toward their dreams, some more legitimately than others.