Freddie deBoer also wrote a rebuttal to that viral publishing piece. Also, a few days later, he wrote about how too many fields have suffered from overoptimization, which is sort of like hacking any particular system down to its most critical pieces but in the process sort of destroying what the system was intended to create. Its too bad he didn't connect to two ideas, because from what I can tell I think Griffin was (unknowningly) complaining about overoptimization in publishing. As in, the ability to write is being downgraded as important in publishing, compared to the ability to market. And, you seem to have embraced this as part of publishing! And I think there are plenty of great writers out there plugging away at this! But taking the wide view of all of publishing, it does make me sad that we are far more likely to read the ideas of influencers rather than writers. Like, that can't be good for the quality of stories we get, no matter how game you and other writers are for jumping in and doing the marketing bit.
Yeah, agreed, which is why publishing as an industry feels designed to fail itself and its stated ideals.
The things that sell best are not necessarily going to be the books most worth reading. It reminds me of all the writers who get rich by writing a How to Write guide, while they've never had a novel or nonfiction book published outside of that.
Trying all possible avenues sounds like a wise decision. You never know where it may land you. And of course, maybe keeping expectations low but being hopeful will keep your sanity.
Freddie deBoer also wrote a rebuttal to that viral publishing piece. Also, a few days later, he wrote about how too many fields have suffered from overoptimization, which is sort of like hacking any particular system down to its most critical pieces but in the process sort of destroying what the system was intended to create. Its too bad he didn't connect to two ideas, because from what I can tell I think Griffin was (unknowningly) complaining about overoptimization in publishing. As in, the ability to write is being downgraded as important in publishing, compared to the ability to market. And, you seem to have embraced this as part of publishing! And I think there are plenty of great writers out there plugging away at this! But taking the wide view of all of publishing, it does make me sad that we are far more likely to read the ideas of influencers rather than writers. Like, that can't be good for the quality of stories we get, no matter how game you and other writers are for jumping in and doing the marketing bit.
Yeah, agreed, which is why publishing as an industry feels designed to fail itself and its stated ideals.
The things that sell best are not necessarily going to be the books most worth reading. It reminds me of all the writers who get rich by writing a How to Write guide, while they've never had a novel or nonfiction book published outside of that.
Stunning that Letters From an American makes $5 million a year
Who would've guessed! I subscribed for a while but didn't get a lot from it.
Trying all possible avenues sounds like a wise decision. You never know where it may land you. And of course, maybe keeping expectations low but being hopeful will keep your sanity.
Now that’s a beautiful sight!