Thanks, Michael, and thank you for articulating the problem so well. What a cruel and colossal con it is for people in publishing to even pretend the game isn't rigged. BTW, reading Bennett Cerf's At Random let me know this isn't a new problem, but it has certainly worsened.
Thanks, Michael, and thank you for articulating the problem so well. What a cruel and colossal con it is for people in publishing to even pretend the game isn't rigged. BTW, reading Bennett Cerf's At Random let me know this isn't a new problem, but it has certainly worsened.
Let's try not to forget there are hundreds of publishing professionals out there who are not trying to rig anything or con anyone, but can't possibly work on all the books that deserve to be published. I know the spirit in which these comments in this thread are made, and I am only taking this with your best of intensions but keep in mind a lot of us are doing our best, too.
I did belatedly realize my comments are tactless, Kate, so thank you for your kind tolerance. I even count a few people in the industry as friends! Much of this comes from my being approached by countless people who want my advice--which I have no desire to give, since I feel incredibly unqualified, and try to point them toward Writers' Market. Even when I am blunt (but kind!) in telling them the truth, they don't want to hear it. And then I think of NaNoWriMo, and wonder why anyone would encourage even more people to try to publish? When I speak in schools, kids (as young as nine) often ask how they can get published. I emphasize the joys of writing for themselves, friends, and classmates. It's advice I followed myself. (And thanks for all you do here. It is interesting, and it is appreciated)
Thanks, Michael, and thank you for articulating the problem so well. What a cruel and colossal con it is for people in publishing to even pretend the game isn't rigged. BTW, reading Bennett Cerf's At Random let me know this isn't a new problem, but it has certainly worsened.
Let's try not to forget there are hundreds of publishing professionals out there who are not trying to rig anything or con anyone, but can't possibly work on all the books that deserve to be published. I know the spirit in which these comments in this thread are made, and I am only taking this with your best of intensions but keep in mind a lot of us are doing our best, too.
I did belatedly realize my comments are tactless, Kate, so thank you for your kind tolerance. I even count a few people in the industry as friends! Much of this comes from my being approached by countless people who want my advice--which I have no desire to give, since I feel incredibly unqualified, and try to point them toward Writers' Market. Even when I am blunt (but kind!) in telling them the truth, they don't want to hear it. And then I think of NaNoWriMo, and wonder why anyone would encourage even more people to try to publish? When I speak in schools, kids (as young as nine) often ask how they can get published. I emphasize the joys of writing for themselves, friends, and classmates. It's advice I followed myself. (And thanks for all you do here. It is interesting, and it is appreciated)