Lisa Kuznak, "[With respect to] Penguin Random, big publishers almost admitting that they don't know what they're doing."
In the US, when big publishing began, publishers had the reserve and humor to say, "Meh, you're right." They had the personality to suggest at this truth in an entertaining way that made the industry seem magical. This bonhomie persisted into the 1970s, maybe into the 1980s. I can only think of a few exceptions who persist today. This spirit dissipates in corporate environment. It shouldn't be news to anyone, but it is agents who do developmental editing now. Writers, you have to be someone with whom it is fun to lunch.
On the “nobody reads” thing. I will note that most of the examples that Alexandru gave, and from personal experience with my wife and the clubs she’s involved in, almost all of these are with women.
It is a very long discussion on why little that is new seems to be published that appeals to men.
The problem with indie publishing maturing into having its own quality gatekeepers is it will eventually morph into the new traditional publishing where a tiny group insiders will control content. As a result, we’d be back to square one (in my dystopian opinion).
Good talk, especially about finding readers. “Writers writing to other writers” was the main reason I never submitted work to short fiction magazines.
Plus, I do think the “nobody reads” thing is overstated; I believe that it’s because most of the writers are in the extremely online space of social media, where more visual works dominate, and thus no one gets excited for their novels. Therefore, from their point of view, “nobody reads.”
I'm in the gutter of this literary ghetto looking up at the stars with you guys...
I have one more story to write then I can publish :) So much good advice here.
Just ordered all the Lyonesse.
You guy HAVE to read Hugh Cook. NZ author - Real Vancian :)
Lisa Kuznak, "[With respect to] Penguin Random, big publishers almost admitting that they don't know what they're doing."
In the US, when big publishing began, publishers had the reserve and humor to say, "Meh, you're right." They had the personality to suggest at this truth in an entertaining way that made the industry seem magical. This bonhomie persisted into the 1970s, maybe into the 1980s. I can only think of a few exceptions who persist today. This spirit dissipates in corporate environment. It shouldn't be news to anyone, but it is agents who do developmental editing now. Writers, you have to be someone with whom it is fun to lunch.
On the “nobody reads” thing. I will note that most of the examples that Alexandru gave, and from personal experience with my wife and the clubs she’s involved in, almost all of these are with women.
It is a very long discussion on why little that is new seems to be published that appeals to men.
The problem with indie publishing maturing into having its own quality gatekeepers is it will eventually morph into the new traditional publishing where a tiny group insiders will control content. As a result, we’d be back to square one (in my dystopian opinion).
Good talk! Those of us who have ingested indie syfy and horror on Kindle are grateful for this talk and if they aren't I am.
Great interview. I'll be reading Pallas soon, it seems right up my alley 🎳
Good talk, especially about finding readers. “Writers writing to other writers” was the main reason I never submitted work to short fiction magazines.
Plus, I do think the “nobody reads” thing is overstated; I believe that it’s because most of the writers are in the extremely online space of social media, where more visual works dominate, and thus no one gets excited for their novels. Therefore, from their point of view, “nobody reads.”
Will check it out! I thought I read somewhere that Lisa is from a town I used to live and have much family in, Thunder Bay.