Higashiyaa Hanatouro Hanabutai
Maiko, apprentice geisha, Ichifuku
[Writer’s Digest]–“What’s the most important change happening in the publishing industry right now that’s impacting the future of the author-agent relationship?”
[Agent–Paige Wheeler of Folio Literary Management]: “The change in the delivery mechanism is huge. Barriers of entry to publishing are down, and authors are able to make (their work) available to anyone with an Internet connection. It’s still a small percentage of the business, but it’s growing. ..the two biggest obstacles to success seem to be spectacular editorial content and the market capability to reach a vast audience. At Folio, we’ve been exploring opportunities (for) providing outside services (marketing, speakers services, licensing, apps) to really serve (authors’) needs.”
—Evolution of the Literary Agent, Writer’s Digest, October 2010
Agent, Paige Wheeler’s response to the question presented by the interviewer from Writer’s Digest gives a succinct summary of the new world of publishing that is available to writers and authors in connecting with readers.
Her comments also tell what we must do to be successful as career authors.
No longer are writers hampered by publishing companies who for so long have held the gates and the keys to the gate determining whose work is or is not published.
The Internet allows writers committed and dutiful enough to connect with readers to sidestep the publishing houses and take our products, i.e. our essays, novels, short stories and novellas, directly to the readers.
But we must be cautious. Better yet it behooves us to not repeat the mistakes of publishing companies.
We must respect readers–both their money and their time.
We must give ample time to our writing, study the craft, undergo apprenticeships with those writers and authors more experienced than us and who are willing to give of their time. Join writing groups, enter an MFA program if you desire, take an online writing class, enroll in adult classes at your local junior college or university.
We must learn to accept constructive criticism that sincere and genuinely aimed at helping us improve and refine our craft at writing.
We must hone our craft at writing.
This requires that we write, revise, edit, and write, revise and edit some more, and then some more.
We must learn the art and benefits of patience.
On doing this, or better yet while doing this, we must begin to study the business of publishing.
Yes, writing essays, novels, short stories, etc. is an art form and a legitimate business.
Writers who commit time and energy, heart and soul to learning and honing our craft deserve pay.
Astute, and intelligent readers who value our craft and product do not begrudge us this.
Only when our writing does not live up to the hype or we fall short of our personal best in an effort to meet a deadline, or the bottom line, do they consumers begin to question how much or whether we take for granted their loyalty, hard-earned money and time given to reading what we have spent too little time bringing together.
An attending physician to my husband, then training a surgeon, two things that he has never forgotten: “Take care of your patients and they will take care of you. The time to slow down is when you are at your busiest with patients scheduled to undergo surgery that you will perform.”
The first step in building a good business plan is developing a good product, one that is at least as good as its competitors, if not better.
Repeat and return customers, whatever the business, ensure financial, and I would add, emotional, success.
And it is when we are at the height of perf0rming what we love and does best that we want slow down and give the very best we have to offer.
How do you plan to promote and market your writing?
How much time have you spent honing your skills so that you can provide a good product?
What was the last good book you read?
What made it so enjoyable?