The times they aren’t a changin’—they already did. We all know the statistics, especially the much-touted Amazon Kindle, selling more e-books last Christmas than hard copy. And while this is a bit misleading (how many folks got new Kindles as presents, and downloaded books over the holidays?), it does represent the new reality: The e-book revolution is here.
(Ed. Note: Now we can also grab e-books from the new iPad!)
Folks are blogging all over the place about what this means, and while that’s the topic for another discussion, what does it mean to you, the writer?
I had an email today from one of my writers, who decided to make his book available through Kindle. To his surprise, in a short time, he’s already sold over 2000 downloads. With almost no promotion. Sound too good to be true? The reality is, he hit on a number of important cylinders, all at once.
Michael Marks’ book, Dominant Species, is Military Sci Fi. At a time when publishers (and therefore agents) are focused on Fantasy, Sci Fi, while not being ignored, is soft. Fantasy and Sci Fi sit on opposite sides of the teeter-totter; when one is up, the other is down. But that doesn’t mean readers have abandoned their first loves, and in this case, the demand for Sci Fi remains high to the reading public. It’s one of those odd conundrums in publishing, where what major houses are turning out is not the same as what readers want. (But don’t tell that to publishers—they’re all fixated on what is hot this second.)
Marks started with a great concept, and knows his stuff (he’s a Marine, and an avid Sci Fi fan). “Write what you know” remains a great axiom, no matter which genre is sizzling at the time. He had written—a lot—as well as reading a ton (axiom number 2). And last but absolutely not least, he dug in after being stunned by all the elements of great writing he didn’t know, learned his craft, revised, revised, revised (axiom number 3, with a bullet). The litany of reviews raves about the depth of characterization; about how intrinsically the writer put the reader in the scene. Talk about making me smile! And as a good buddy of mine who’s a senior editor at a major house is fond of saying, “Plot is important but without characters you care about, the best writing and plotting in the world ain’t gonna save your ass.”
As self-publishing has become the rage (due in large part to the fact that anyone, absolutely anyone, can now become a “published author” via inexpensive technology), agents, editors, and readers alike bemoan the dismal lack of quality in books. And while it’s true that so many are stringing together enough words for a book, spending one’s dollars on cover art and PR will only get you so far.
What has always been, and will come to the forefront again, is great writing. The cream does rise to the top. Readers aren’t stupid (you can’t imagine how many people grouse to me all the time that they can’t find a well-written book. But I can steer them to many). They want quality, in this vast sea of promoted schlock. They may be fooled once, but if so, won’t buy that writer’s books again—no matter in what format.
What’s selling my writer’s book is a great storyline, a wonderful plot, truly compelling characters, and a created experience that puts readers smack dab into the middle of it. In short, great writing.
As we go through these changing times, one thing remains constant. In the future, it’s the same thing that will cause readers to buy certain authors; that nebulous quality that puts some scribes above the rest:
It’s the writing. It’s the writing. It’s the writing.
My First Sale--Again!
(A Writer for the Rest of my Life)
By Sheron Donahue
At forty, I trudged off to college, not knowing why. But anything was better than the physical and mental abuse my children and I had been suffering. After the divorce, I moved into an apartment and found full-time work. At night I took college classes; one was creative writing, perhaps as a whim. After finishing the course, and in spite of an inner voice saying, go forth and earn a paycheck, I dumped a good paying job and put all my energy and emergency funds into writing.
My savings could last a year if I budgeted carefully. And, I knew eight-to-five jobs were plentiful. While reading, writing, cutting, pasting and retyping, I ran across a magazine with a “Dear Abby” type column that got my dander up. I sent a rebuttal to the columnist. She passed it on to the editor, who wrote and asked if I’d like to turn my fiery thoughts into an article. Of course, I did. “Getting the Affection You Need from Each Other” brought my first $40 check. Revitalized, I cranked out more articles, publishing twenty and, sometimes, receiving nominal checks. However, my year was up, my savings gone, and so I left my lofty aspirations for a regular paycheck.
That was not the end of my dream, although a couple of decades disappeared in a flash. I retired and moved to California. Then, after stumbling on an article about a local writing class, I joined the group and promptly recovered my writing muse, producing “The Easter Box,” which became my first published article after decades of dormancy. It ran this spring online at Yesterdays Magazette.
This magazine was another odd turn of events in my life. I ran across the online publication by accident only to discover the same editor I’d written articles for years before was still there. But now the magazine had changed to an online publication. To date, he has accepted four of my articles, and I’ve published seven more elsewhere. Even a variation of this article appeared on more.com, where three of my articles have appeared under my pen, Sherry Lynn (I messed up when they asked for a screen name. Turns out, that's what they used for my byline).
Also, I’m nearly finished with my book, “God Forbid Anyone I Know Reads This,” about my impish childhood. If all goes well, it will see print soon. So, you see, I am writing and publishing again. Maybe, one day I’ll be the Grandma Moses of the writing world—outdoing and outlasting. I hope so; for there’s nothing stopping me, no voice saying, go forth and earn a paycheck. Now, I’m free to be the writer I always wanted to be—and that’s what I intend to do—for the rest of my life.
Thank you for selecting my work. I am honored to have my article appear in your online magazine. Looking forward to reading the next issue of TPW Magazine.
Bonnie S. Davis
Thanks for providing the markets, thanks for the editing, thanks for the publication.
Bill Canavan
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I just purchased your book and received my bonuses. Thank you! I'm living by your philosophy to "be kind to one another." Take care.
Nada Faris
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I'd like to comment on ...
Persuasive Writing by Robert Bly
This excellent article was a workshop or conference presentation all by itself.
Giving the appealing elements of advertising, and then discussing and giving specific examples of each and discussing appropriate use of each was carefully and clearly written.
Besides being a writing pro, Bly is an effective teacher.
Markets Page
These markets were presented in a concise format which was very easy to read. I found three for which I may have submissions. This was an ideal number of markets for me to read about, since too many market listings numb my brain. I appreciate the discerning selection of the markets this month.
Peg Russell
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Ned, what a thrilling issue! So much to read and ponder. I enjoyed the profile of Marshall Cook in your summer issue. I took an e-mail course with him and found him to be an inspiring coach. Keep up the good work!
Natalie Rotunda
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Looks like you are keeping busy. This is great stuff. I enjoyed reading the articles. And thank you again for putting my poem and pix in your online magazine.
Cindy Maciejunes
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Thanks. I appreciate your using my piece and also your prompt reply.
Jerry Hobbs
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Looking forward to reading more of TPW Magazine, Ned.
Rob Parnell
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I don't see how you find time to play golf in addition to your writing, editing, and publishing two online magazines as well as all your other sites. Pretty impressive.
Dorothy Conlon
"At Home in the World"
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Four short pieces of advice from conference speakers have stayed with me:
It is OK to write in church on the bulletin. It is a sin to be boring and a sin to be bored. Just because the preacher sins doesn't mean you have to.
Sometimes the difference between a published writer and an unpublished writer is the price of a stamp.
It is OK to write about real people. Pigs don't recognize each other in the sausage.
Multiple submissions? I put that right up there with spreading venereal disease.
Peg Russell