It's April 15th, one of the most dreaded days in the year. I tease my husband that I only married him because he does our taxes. I’ve always been the impractical one, more creative than mathematical. I credit my artistic mother, who was a dress designer before she married. She would draw things for me when I was little, and I would copy them. I must have done a hundred portraits of my wire-haired fox terrier, Tippy. I kept diaries, too, and wrote poems and short stories. In high school I took four years of art, worked on the yearbook, newspaper and literary magazine. For the latter, I got to illustrate my own writing, which was kind of cool.
In college, all the writing was non-creative, term papers churned out at 4 AM before the 8 AM class. Yeah, I know. I was lousy at scheduling. I only took one art class, which consisted of finding colors that contrasted and cutting them in basic geometric shapes. I didn’t even get an A.
After many years of channeling my creativity into matching my kids’ shirts to the stripe on their socks, making Halloween costumes out of Hefty trash bags and decorating houses, my creative side has squirmed out again from under the rock and taken over. I’ve been swept away by waves of prose and the pictures in my head.
Unfortunately, publishing is a business at which I feel completely at sea. After trying to comprehend the recent trends in genres, Amazon’s vertical integration, Harper Collins’ new publishing models, advances, royalties, publicity, POD and e-publishing, it is clearer than ever to me that nothing is clear. Factor in the downturn in the economy, which is expected to slow book sales, and things don't look so good from way up in the ivory tower.
Are you as confused as I am? Do you pay attention to the marketplace as you tap or scribble away in your pajamas? Where do you go for information about the business side of publishing? Do you balance your checkbook or just hope for the best *g*?
In college, all the writing was non-creative, term papers churned out at 4 AM before the 8 AM class. Yeah, I know. I was lousy at scheduling. I only took one art class, which consisted of finding colors that contrasted and cutting them in basic geometric shapes. I didn’t even get an A.
After many years of channeling my creativity into matching my kids’ shirts to the stripe on their socks, making Halloween costumes out of Hefty trash bags and decorating houses, my creative side has squirmed out again from under the rock and taken over. I’ve been swept away by waves of prose and the pictures in my head.
Unfortunately, publishing is a business at which I feel completely at sea. After trying to comprehend the recent trends in genres, Amazon’s vertical integration, Harper Collins’ new publishing models, advances, royalties, publicity, POD and e-publishing, it is clearer than ever to me that nothing is clear. Factor in the downturn in the economy, which is expected to slow book sales, and things don't look so good from way up in the ivory tower.
Are you as confused as I am? Do you pay attention to the marketplace as you tap or scribble away in your pajamas? Where do you go for information about the business side of publishing? Do you balance your checkbook or just hope for the best *g*?
You'll see we have new news. Congratulations to Tiff on finalling in the Stroke of Midnight Contest!!!
13 comments:
I hear things about the business from other people's blogs, but I wouldn't say I keep my hand in. I think about writing my book and not about whether or not the market is accepting Regency Romances right now.
And I think I can safely say I'm just as confused as you are about the business.
Oh, and, congrats to Tiffany!!!
YAY TIFFANY!!
I have to admit to being mostly clueless most of the time. I take a head-in-the-sand approach to the business of writing because I honestly don't care. That's not to say that I don't want my books to sell, and that when it comes time I won't do everything in my power to help them on their way, but I'm really just in it for the writing. All I want is to feel that rush of the story flowing out of me onto the page.
I just keep going. I hear all those things too, Maggie. I'm ignoring it. It's hard enough to just get published... add all that to the fray... nope, won't do it. I'm ignoring everything I hear, cause cause... cause I am...lol
And thanks for the congrats. I'm still rather excited.
Like you all, I just focus on the writing too. I figure if I ever get an agent, they'll know what the hell is going on. :) But with the economy so tricky (just read an article in the NYTimes this morning about the numerous store closings/bankruptcies in the US), I can't help but fidget when I think of the decline in consumer spending. I know I've cut back myself, even on books. My library card is getting a good workout, but lots of towns are cutting back on their library funds/hours. My, I am full of gloom and doom today!
First off - HUGE CONGRATS, TIFF!!! You guys are racking up all those contest finals and wins and placements and it's only a matter of time before that news area starts reporting those *CALL* stories.
Now, this is funny because the business part comes much easier to me. But that may be because I'm a Business Major in college right now and I love it. Well, I hate the homework and having to read more than 80 pages in a week for ONE class nevermind the other, but I digress.
I don't study the business side but I understand it so I don't worry about it. I can't turn off the marketing/market share/bottom line part of my brain. In fact, I wish the creative/writing part came as easily.
Congratulations, Tiff!!
I don't really pay attention to the business side. I figure when I get published, that is when I will learn what I need to know.
Di
God, Maggie, don't remind us of practical things like, oh, the crappy economy...and that it'll be even tougher to make a break of it! *covers ears* LALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALLALALALL
Congrats Tiff!!!
I don't pay much attention to what's hot in the market because what's hot now might not be hot in two years and despite what people say, Regencies and Historicals are never on their way "out."
But I think it is important to know things about the business especially when it comes to agents and publishers. No one wants to sign with an unreliable person and/or sign with a company that's about to declare bankruptcy.
I read information but I like creating stories more. *g*
Congrats Tiffany!
I just focus on the writing for now. I'm actually trying to stay far, far away from any marketing information because I KNOW it will distract me and I shouldn't introduce any other distractions to my life! However, rest assured that when the time comes, I will be all over the business end of things.
I'm too lazy to balance my checkbook. Thank goodness for online banking! ;)
Congratulations, Tiff! That's terrific news.
I don't worry about the business end. For me, that kind of worry falls under my mother's advice not to borrow trouble. If I get to the place where you are, Maggie, and get requests for fulls or partials, then I may begin to worry. :)
CONGRATS TO TIFF!! That's marvelous, girl!
As to the business of publishing, I've come to find that it is one of most fluid industries I've ever come across. What is hot today cools tomorrow. I recently heard that Westerns are being sought. Just a year or so ago, they were deader than dead. Contemps are up. Contemps are down. Para is out and urban fantasy is in....for the moment.
Write the book and, if it's something that captures someone's eye, it really doesn't matter what genre it is written for.
Frankly, I'm surprised there are so many publishing houses and names still out there. Ditto for the number of agents. Not huge by Forbes standards but still formidable. It seems the one industry that hasn't merged itself to death.
HURRAY TIFF!!!!! That is awesome news! Congrats.
As Janga said if the time comes where knowledge of the business side of things is needed that is when I'll learn. Right now that doesn't seem to be a real worry for me. Ignorance is bliss sometimes!
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