Alyssa. I appreciate your chapter breaks. But I have seen a trend that doesn't make me think better of the publishing world. I agree it is all about sales, marketing, and friction free decisions. But I believe traditional publishing has gone to the dark side. What do I mean about that?
I have been querying with various letters (safe ones, risk taking ones) and I understand the market and business of agenting and publishing. I understand luck and timing. I hope for the best. Not one request or feedback other than a form letter. Not one. SO I send out more letters to riskier agents thus clogging up their inbox. Which makes the rejects even quicker.
1. I have gone through multiple reviews for comparables. Except for comps stretching back to the late 1990s, I have not seen a well (not excellent) written novel yet. Yes, I try to better my art of writing and I look critically (mainly to understand the market) at new published works. Most are commercial, romance, thriller or horror. That's the way it is. I understand.
2. Then, I have read all of my comparables including other genres. They may tell the agent where I belong on the book shelf, but they are terribly written (I know tastes change from person to person). However when a newly released book maybe 6 months ago with all the hype around it, podcasts, marketing and you get a 3.7 or lower on Good Reads, I am not alone. Over 40% of the reviews were negative and most of them from previous fans. Yet a podcast with them downplayed everything that was wrong with their book. This is not a one off. Marketing tries to minimize glaring artistic mistakes just because they espouse a certain trend.
3. It all comes down to believability. Fiction is worthless (to me) if your plot is not believable to the reader whatever your plot may be. If it doesn't have the inner consistency of being real, it loses.
4. Most of the novels I see are jaded in some way. I could list them for you, but I think that the publishing industry has catered to a set of beliefs and ignore the writing ability of the writer.
5. I have a scientific background and I love to analyze facts. I subscribe to Publishers Marketplace and do research on QT, agents, readers, podcasts, book sales, what gets published and I just don't like the trend of not appraising the writer's skill to write a good book.
So If you want to block my post go ahead. I still believe in the system even though reality is hard to deal with. I recently read a post where they listed 8 novels you should read before you die. All of them were written before I was born and that was some time ago. To me that is pathetic.
I had considered getting traditionally published, and I shared a few ideas with editors on here etc. and while my WIP isn't something that market is looking for, I want to write it anyway because it excites me.
True, it's like any type of sales really. It can be a perfect product, but it takes the right customer at the right time, for the product to be right for them. Just Like an agent. Were going to a book pitch for our children's book in Nashville next week. We hope it's legit for the the time and money we will invest to go down there. We know we aren't guaranteeed anything, it could be a great story. (everyone thinks their own baby is cute) but it it isn't what someone is looking for, it will be hard to get a contract.
I think about this a lot - and the role of luck and timing in publishing
Alyssa. I appreciate your chapter breaks. But I have seen a trend that doesn't make me think better of the publishing world. I agree it is all about sales, marketing, and friction free decisions. But I believe traditional publishing has gone to the dark side. What do I mean about that?
I have been querying with various letters (safe ones, risk taking ones) and I understand the market and business of agenting and publishing. I understand luck and timing. I hope for the best. Not one request or feedback other than a form letter. Not one. SO I send out more letters to riskier agents thus clogging up their inbox. Which makes the rejects even quicker.
1. I have gone through multiple reviews for comparables. Except for comps stretching back to the late 1990s, I have not seen a well (not excellent) written novel yet. Yes, I try to better my art of writing and I look critically (mainly to understand the market) at new published works. Most are commercial, romance, thriller or horror. That's the way it is. I understand.
2. Then, I have read all of my comparables including other genres. They may tell the agent where I belong on the book shelf, but they are terribly written (I know tastes change from person to person). However when a newly released book maybe 6 months ago with all the hype around it, podcasts, marketing and you get a 3.7 or lower on Good Reads, I am not alone. Over 40% of the reviews were negative and most of them from previous fans. Yet a podcast with them downplayed everything that was wrong with their book. This is not a one off. Marketing tries to minimize glaring artistic mistakes just because they espouse a certain trend.
3. It all comes down to believability. Fiction is worthless (to me) if your plot is not believable to the reader whatever your plot may be. If it doesn't have the inner consistency of being real, it loses.
4. Most of the novels I see are jaded in some way. I could list them for you, but I think that the publishing industry has catered to a set of beliefs and ignore the writing ability of the writer.
5. I have a scientific background and I love to analyze facts. I subscribe to Publishers Marketplace and do research on QT, agents, readers, podcasts, book sales, what gets published and I just don't like the trend of not appraising the writer's skill to write a good book.
So If you want to block my post go ahead. I still believe in the system even though reality is hard to deal with. I recently read a post where they listed 8 novels you should read before you die. All of them were written before I was born and that was some time ago. To me that is pathetic.
What are your suggestions?
Thank you! This is great.
I had considered getting traditionally published, and I shared a few ideas with editors on here etc. and while my WIP isn't something that market is looking for, I want to write it anyway because it excites me.
You also may be politically incorrect. With a Jewish-themed book today, expect not only rejection but nasty comments.
True, it's like any type of sales really. It can be a perfect product, but it takes the right customer at the right time, for the product to be right for them. Just Like an agent. Were going to a book pitch for our children's book in Nashville next week. We hope it's legit for the the time and money we will invest to go down there. We know we aren't guaranteeed anything, it could be a great story. (everyone thinks their own baby is cute) but it it isn't what someone is looking for, it will be hard to get a contract.