Go to any writer's conference, seminar, or workshop, and you'll find that the conversation soon turns to publishing. Specifically, the current state of publishing in America. The news is dire.
Bookstores are closing all across the country. The number of titles published each year is shrinking rapidly. Agents and editors are only interested in bestselling authors with proven track records. And there have been so many mergers and acquisitions these past few years that "there are only six major publishers left in the world--most of them based in Germany!"
What's an unpublished author to do? Don't buy into the hype. The publishing industry is changing, yes, and we'll be looking at those changes in future posts. But it's hardly closing up shop and disappearing into the mists of time forever. First time authors are still being published every month of the year.
Need proof? Walk into any bookstore in your neighborhood--Barnes & Noble, Borders Books, or the independent bookstore on the corner--and you'll find a wide variety of books by first time authors. Books newly released by publishers in 2009-2010. Here's what I found by spending just 10-15 minutes browsing the racks first thing this morning:
In the Sanctuary of Outcasts (memoir) by Neil White
The Blue Orchard (novel) by Jackson Taylor
Little Boy Blues (memoir) by Malcolm Jones
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt (novel) by Beth Hoffman
The School of Essential Ingredients (novel) by Erica Bauermeister
And I wasn't even looking at genre fiction (mystery, romance, SF/F) or the nonfiction areas of the store. If I had, the list would have been considerably longer.
The truth is that every agent, editor, and publisher out there would be thrilled to discover the next new bestselling author. The next J. K. Rowling, Dan Brown, John Grisham, or Stephen King. They're all looking for that "diamond" in the slush pile. But they won't find yours if you don't submit.
So beware the Gloom and Doomsayers! Don't listen to their prattle. They've been preaching the end of the world since the beginning of time . . . and it hasn't happened yet. Sadly, they already have a large and growing following of writers who have shelved their books and given up on their dreams. Don't give up on yours.
Believe in yourself, believe in your talent, believe in your work. Just Think Differently.
Karen Gilb
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Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted about this topic. Thank you! As a debut author, I can attest to the truth of your words.
Literary agents and publishers are always watching for new talent, in fact, they hunger for it and are thrilled when a promising manuscript arrives on their desks.
Just this week my novel hit the New York Times Best Seller list, and two regional lists too. Yet only 18 months ago I was just another name in the proverbial slush pile.
Your wrote: "Believe in yourself, believe in your talent, believe in your work..." and that's precisely the mindset required while reaching for the dream.
Congratulations on hitting the New York Times bestseller list! Continued success and thanks so much for your comments.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Beth! I hope your book signing at Costco here in Portland is a great success.
ReplyDeleteMeet Beth Hoffman on February 13 (Saturday)at Costco (7855 SW Dartmouth Road Tigard, OR 97223)