How 'bout a rerun?
Full Disclosure, Part Three
Sometimes when you are not in the direct glare of the light, you see things more clearly. Instead of what you’re gazing at looking all shiny or bright, you can see the details and formations of what you’re viewing with distinctions and clarity. When you think about it, almost anything can look somewhat glorious in the bright light. So looks can be deceiving.
I’m applying my little metaphor to the publishing industry, and, yes, we’re talking Christian publishing. And, no, we’re not going to tear it apart. I’ve had the opportunity, pleasure, and privilege to meet some interesting, genuine Christian professionals in this business of producing fiction both in person and via email conversations and discussions, including authors, agents, and editors. Decent, caring, and thoughtful people. Any business has its good points and its lesser qualities as far as how it’s run or how it serves its customers. Really it’s the intent of a business that ultimately speaks for how it appears in the eyes of its employees and its customers. That’s where the tale is told.
As a consumer, I am disappointed in the demand for smallish novels. The only larger novels seem to remain in some historicals, some thrillers, and some fantasies. This “demand” is from the publishers who insist that the people of today don’t want to read long novels. You could say they’re right if you talk only to those people. I’m not one of them, and I know a lot more voracious readers who don’t care for the shorter books either. Is it the cost of producing the longer novel?
As a writer, I hear the fears of multi-published authors wondering if their sales are going to be good enough to warrant another contract. These authors market, blog, have great websites, interact with readers, visit bookstores to promote their work, attend writers’ conferences, even teach classes at them. They have strong agents. Yet they become victims of “sales” or the lack thereof. If a book is not cutting it, there’s a sense of failure, and yet they’re published authors.
Soooo . . . what am I saying? Being published isn’t the end all, cure all for a writer. There’s a revolving door in the industry. Editors change jobs every so often. Authors get dropped. Demands change. Problematic speculations persist. Authors whimper in fear. Not all bright and shiny, is it?
If you’re striving to break through to the ranks of being published, best be sure your real success is solidified in pleasing the Lord. Otherwise, your so-called success in publishing might be as fleeting as a warm sun in winter.
To be continued . . .
Someday.
Father, I remain attentive to your direction. Lead me. You're the only One I want to follow. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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