Thanks for this article, Elizabeth. Yes, it’s a bit discouraging but I am with those who just want to be read. My first novel is ready for publication, but I am at the edge of the cliff, like the Fool in the tarot deck, not ready to do the hard work of trying to sell it anywhere. Self-pub is starting to feel attractive.
Oh, Sally. First pat yourself on the back… You’ve finished your novel which means you conceived it, wrote, revised it, revised again…I urge you to give traditional publishing a chance before you tip over into self-publishing, a perfectly viable option in the end should you choose to go that way. All appendages crossed for you as you move forward on this journey.
Great reality check, not cheque! If we were in it for the money, we'd be idiots - but your last remarks are really what it's about: it's what we do. ( Many of us don't 'do the math' I think because it's too depressing! )
Thank you, Elizabeth. May I share this on FB and in my blog? I believe most of us want someone or many someones out there to read our stories. A story isn't really a story until someone else hears(reads) it.
Richard, you made me smile. Congratulations on the excellent Amazon review of ORANGES FOR MAGELLAN. We are grateful for readers who take the time to spread the word.
I'm like one of the bewildered kids in your first illustration, but thank you, Elizabeth, especially for the closing reminder from EB White, which i aspire to live by.
You are so right, Ros. It's a myth that I am attempting to dispel without being too discouraging. In the old days, we used to say, don't quit your day job.....
A valuable math lesson indeed! Have you noticed how in movies about writers they always get rich quick? The myth persists...
Anybody doing it for the money is going to be disappointed, but as you say, we do it to create worlds and characters in them, and there's nothing more satisfying.
Thanks for this article, Elizabeth. Yes, it’s a bit discouraging but I am with those who just want to be read. My first novel is ready for publication, but I am at the edge of the cliff, like the Fool in the tarot deck, not ready to do the hard work of trying to sell it anywhere. Self-pub is starting to feel attractive.
Oh, Sally. First pat yourself on the back… You’ve finished your novel which means you conceived it, wrote, revised it, revised again…I urge you to give traditional publishing a chance before you tip over into self-publishing, a perfectly viable option in the end should you choose to go that way. All appendages crossed for you as you move forward on this journey.
Thanks for that. I commented again because I thought the first one didn’t go through! Oh, tech, you imp.
Great reality check, not cheque! If we were in it for the money, we'd be idiots - but your last remarks are really what it's about: it's what we do. ( Many of us don't 'do the math' I think because it's too depressing! )
Thank you for this illuminating post, Elizabeth. I especially appreciate the E.B. White quote and your clever title!
Thank you, Elizabeth. May I share this on FB and in my blog? I believe most of us want someone or many someones out there to read our stories. A story isn't really a story until someone else hears(reads) it.
Certainly, I’m always happy to have my newsletter shared on other platforms.
A healthy dose of reality is good for the soul.
Richard, you made me smile. Congratulations on the excellent Amazon review of ORANGES FOR MAGELLAN. We are grateful for readers who take the time to spread the word.
I'm like one of the bewildered kids in your first illustration, but thank you, Elizabeth, especially for the closing reminder from EB White, which i aspire to live by.
You are so right, Ros. It's a myth that I am attempting to dispel without being too discouraging. In the old days, we used to say, don't quit your day job.....
A valuable math lesson indeed! Have you noticed how in movies about writers they always get rich quick? The myth persists...
Anybody doing it for the money is going to be disappointed, but as you say, we do it to create worlds and characters in them, and there's nothing more satisfying.