Comments on: Publishing: A Decade in Review

By: Writing Links 5/29/17 – Where Genres Collide

Writing Links 5/29/17 – Where Genres Collide — Mon, 29 May 2017 11:04:36 +0000

[…] https://writersinthestormblog.com/2017/05/the-whines-they-are-achangin/ Competition versus cooperation. I think we authors need one another. We don’t need to compete for spots or begrudge that other author a great word-of-mouth. Helping each other brings us together and lends strength to all. […]

By: Peter Pollak

Peter Pollak — Sat, 27 May 2017 22:05:36 +0000

You overlook a major disadvantage indies face which is lack of access to libraries. Library sales are now more important than ever inpart because book clubs only read books that their members can obtain at their local libraries.

By: Top Picks Thursday! For Writers & Readers 05-25-2017 | The Author Chronicles

Thu, 25 May 2017 17:01:42 +0000

[…] is an evolving business. Kathryn Craft examines a publishing decade in review, while Jane Friedman looks at key publishing paths in […]

By: Kathryn Craft

Kathryn Craft — Tue, 23 May 2017 18:13:09 +0000

In reply to jeanne kern. Glad you benefitted, Jeanne!

By: jeanne kern

jeanne kern — Tue, 23 May 2017 17:39:35 +0000

Kathryn, a wonderful overview with helpful insights. Thank you.

By: Kathryn Craft

Kathryn Craft — Tue, 23 May 2017 16:04:22 +0000

In reply to Holly Robinson. Thanks Holly. Sometimes I think my optimism is all I'm clinging to! ;)

By: Kathryn Craft

Kathryn Craft — Tue, 23 May 2017 16:03:39 +0000

In reply to densielwebb. No matter where we are in our careers we see how much farther we have to go. That is the very nature of the yearning that will keep us creating, and the ambition that will keep us reaching. But looking up also brings out all of the insecurities associated with our industry—how much better other authors are perceived on social media, how their agents or editors seem to revere them, how many more reviews/followers/whatever they have. Believe me, these fears torture everyone, no matter where they are on any hierarchy you might perceive. Sometimes we have to look back instead, and remind ourselves how far we have come. We have published books! I think balance comes in remembering that there is always more climb ahead of us—but that the base we started from is getting smaller in the distance. Hope that helps Densie!

By: Holly Robinson

Holly Robinson — Tue, 23 May 2017 14:14:35 +0000

Kathryn, I know I'm late to the party here, but I'm so impressed by your roundup here of changes in the publishing industry. What I love most is how optimistic you are about the business (as well as the creative fun) of writing--what really strikes me is how many wonderful options we all have as writers to get our stories out there. Thanks for such a thoughtful discussion.

By: densielwebb

densielwebb — Tue, 23 May 2017 14:13:44 +0000

Kathryn, thanks for addressing this confusing and controversial topic. Regardless of egalitarian ideals of writers, at least among most women writers, there is a caste system in publishing. Unless you're one of the lucky indie breakout novelists, indie publishing is at the bottom. Having a NY agent and one of the big 5 publishers (is it still 5 or has it consolidated even more?) is at the top, with smaller publishers and hybrid publishing somewhere in the middle. I'm not talking sales numbers; I'm talking perception among agents, publishers and other writers. Readers couldn't care less. Not sure what my point is, except that the publishing pyramid exists and those of us not at the top have to work like hell to gain writerly respect. (In the interest of full disclosure, I'm with a small publisher, no agent.) Didn't mean this to come out so negative. I'm thrilled to even be where I am, but it bugs me that I feel the need to reach for the golden ring of a NY agent and one of the big 5. It won't change my writing, just the community's perception of it.

By: Jenny Hansen

Jenny Hansen — Tue, 23 May 2017 01:38:39 +0000

In reply to Kathryn Craft. Oh, wow!! I can't imagine there ever being anything bad about the "Ernest Hemingway Room."