More writers’ laundry
I’m not calling it dirty laundry, just laundry. You guys seemed to like some of that behind-the-scenes analysis of writers and their money issues, so I thought I’d show you these other discussions going on:
J.A. Konrath on whether writers should charge for speaking engagements;
J.A. Konrath on why some writers suck at selling their own books, and how they can do better;
Tess Gerritsen on her fears/hopes about making the NY Times Bestseller list with every book;
Tess Gerritsen on whether anxious writers are more successful.
I’d be interested in your thoughts on these. What’s fascinating to me is when other writers seem to be inside my brain and talk about the things that are secretly on my mind. Spooky.
Technorati Tags: Writing, Publishing, Authors, J.A. Konrath, Tess Gerritsen, Why Some Authors Can Never Relax
Thanks, Robin. That wasn’t just a heap of laundry…that was a whole linen closet. I really liked Konrath’s little scenes of him selling books. The funny thing is that while I could see every one of his approaches working, in a very good way, I still couldn’t see MYSELF buying his book.
I agree with Tess that anxious writers are more successful, up to a point. As the daughter of a man who actually owned and read James Joyce, I will always feel a bit insecure about my writing.
I like JA Konrath’s insights. Particularly his point about handselling books to get them to readers.
I can see his approaches working. I have often bought a book because I have met the author and like them personally, or because speaking with them develops an interest in their book.
I loved the websites you shared with us. If I were an author I would expect to get paid for travel and speaking engagements. If you don’t have a fee upfront then you give the impression that you inherited a bunch of $$$ and you only write and speak to groups for your entertainment—–money is never an issue with you!!! NOT!!! I am always curious why events that feature writers are free—this is my entertainment to attend. I would gladly fork out a fee at the door just to hear another author and ask
him/her embarrassing questions; this is as good as seeing a good movie.
Interesting post by Tess Garrison re: anxiety. I haven’t thought this through yet, but her use of the word “anxious” as opposed to “committed” jumped out at me. How different the post would have read if she’d substituted “committed” each time she used “anxious.”
The question for me is — are you committed to the right things and for the right reasons? I think it IS a huge deal to get and stay on bestseller lists — it’s a great thing to be committed to. Equal to the financial rewards — which in and of themselves are a reason to be committed to the cause/quest — it guarantees that your stories are reaching a large number of people and the longer you’re on the list, the more people you will reach.
I just think writers will always be well-served by focusing on telling the absolute best stories they’ve got in them in as engaging a manner as possible and then working to find ways to get them in as many hands as possible. We write to be heard, don’t we?
Laura, I agree–I prefer “committed” to “anxious.” I don’t want to live an anxious life. Not what I aspire to.
MJG, thanks for checking in! And I never thought of it that way, but you’re right: listening to authors is my entertainment, too. David Sedaris was here in town last night (I chose Ed Viesturs over him–see today’s post), and you can bet he charged a nice price. Not every author is a showman like Sedaris is, but the overall principle is the same. Yes, I would pay a cover charge to listen to many of my favorite authors.
Michelle, I’m like you: I’ve bought a lot of books because I liked the authors first. And I’ve rarely been disappointed! I figure if someone resonates with me in person, I’m going to like what they write.
Sara, sorry to hear about your dad owning and reading James Joyce. That could mess a person right up. And about the handselling: I’m not sure I would respond well to that. I think I might run in the other direction. I prefer covert selling techniques, like listening to someone give a talk, rather than having to have a conversation face-to-face. Shyness rules on that one.
I need to read J.A. Konrath’s, but I read Tess Gerritsen with the spooky kind of stalkerocity that I generally save for Friday night Amerime, and I love the points she makes.
I’ve sort of adopted “At the bottom of success is a paralyzing fear of failure” as my motto. I haven’t had a chance to test it out in the writing field yet, but it’s getting me through Honors Geometry with a 105, so I’m going to call it good. And check my answers just one more time before I hand them in…
I like seeing non-traditional posts from writers–things that make them seem human. That’s a hard feeling to get on the other side of a screen or a page.
Miri, love the phrase “spooky stalkerocity.” I hope you’ll put that in a story some day.
And please rethink adopting a motto that involves the words “paralyzing fear of failure.” I think we’d all be happier if we focused on the upside of success versus the downside of failure.
But whatever works for you!