I have very strong, generally angry feelings about publishers that don't give paperbacks to books that did well in hardcover, and being $1000 short of earning out at a big 5 would definitely suggest doing well. I had to fight very hard to get one for my book that *earned out*, which made absolutely no sense to me - it's a whole new chance to get on shelves, particularly at B&N, which had already kicked it off. Why on earth would we not do that? But I know my imprint is particularly terrible about this, which makes me wonder if that's where the author is because there is legit no logic to these decisions that I can see.
Being an author as my full time job for the last 17 years is something I knew was rare and valuable and lucky. It's become harder and harder lately and kind of hit a crisis point this year; not sure how much longer I can keep it going, and that's hard and scary as it's the only adult profession I've really known...
But the thing I didn't realize until the thought of getting a day job became more of a real thing is how psychologically important "being an author" had become to me as my identity. It was a dream since I was small so that fact that I'm doing it felt like a "win" at life and the fact that I might not be at some point then felt like "losing". It's a fascinating thing at 45 years old to start doing identity work around this that I've never really done before. Add to that, the fact that my kid loves having "a famous author" (famous...Ha!) for a dad and that I love the idea of her growing up with a full time creative professional for a parent and it's a whole stew of angst...which is all to say, it's nice to know that so many folks are going through similar struggles right now and it's a damn shame the industry has lost the will and ability to support mid-list career authors.
TLDR; Identity formation under capitalism is a real mindfuck!
Alex, you are such a legend and icon and we are all so lucky to live in a world with your books in it! Thank you for sharing this, and I know you don’t need to hear this from me, but the impact you have on your readers and the literature scene as a whole will never change even if life circumstances do. It is such a rollercoaster with our identities being tied to our creative work, and I definitely don’t have the answers to make that journey smoother, but I’m in this boat with you and here to vent to in real life anytime!
I’m not sure I fully understand the question, but publishers are making decisions at all points of a book’s life, not just the paperback stage. I’m here if that didn’t answer your question!
Sorry my question was more for it seems that ebook sales don’t count much. For the generation of me and my (younger) colleagues. At least 50% of our readings are ebooks.😄
Oh, I see! Publishers are definitely making decisions for ebooks along the way, but from my perspective it's less involved for them since it's just a one-time downloading to ebook platforms, whereas printing a book in different formats requires more time, money, and effort. For ebooks, I think a lot of their decisions are based around when to discount the download.
“Maybe framing your writing as a hobby and that being okay will take some of the pressure off and let you write what you enjoy.”
This was something I needed to hear today. I had a long and difficult journey to publishing my first book, which comes out with a Big 5 imprint next year. I’ve been trying to work on my second book, and I’ve been feeling discouraged about the professional side of things lately. This post is helping me prioritize the joy of creation over the professional concerns of what’s to come next. Thanks for sharing!
That professional side can so often creep into our minds and take the light out of what got us to write to begin with. Glad this post helped, and sending you so much good energy as you work on your second book!!
It really does help to see how earning out is happening (or not). I can relate to the reader whose 2021 book did not sell as hoped and did not get a paperback. Same! It stings. I, too, have found comfort and inspiration in Rick Rubin's book. Onward!
I have very strong, generally angry feelings about publishers that don't give paperbacks to books that did well in hardcover, and being $1000 short of earning out at a big 5 would definitely suggest doing well. I had to fight very hard to get one for my book that *earned out*, which made absolutely no sense to me - it's a whole new chance to get on shelves, particularly at B&N, which had already kicked it off. Why on earth would we not do that? But I know my imprint is particularly terrible about this, which makes me wonder if that's where the author is because there is legit no logic to these decisions that I can see.
That’s wild to me for them to decide no paperback when you’ve earned out!! What the whaaaaaa????
Thank you for the transparency as always!! The lack of clarity makes it all SO MUCH more terrifying, right??
Exactly! I’m such a Type A Virgo that the less facts I’m given (even if it’s news that’s not fun to hear), the more I’m stressed out!
this Virgo Rising feels so seen 😂
You get it!!
Being an author as my full time job for the last 17 years is something I knew was rare and valuable and lucky. It's become harder and harder lately and kind of hit a crisis point this year; not sure how much longer I can keep it going, and that's hard and scary as it's the only adult profession I've really known...
But the thing I didn't realize until the thought of getting a day job became more of a real thing is how psychologically important "being an author" had become to me as my identity. It was a dream since I was small so that fact that I'm doing it felt like a "win" at life and the fact that I might not be at some point then felt like "losing". It's a fascinating thing at 45 years old to start doing identity work around this that I've never really done before. Add to that, the fact that my kid loves having "a famous author" (famous...Ha!) for a dad and that I love the idea of her growing up with a full time creative professional for a parent and it's a whole stew of angst...which is all to say, it's nice to know that so many folks are going through similar struggles right now and it's a damn shame the industry has lost the will and ability to support mid-list career authors.
TLDR; Identity formation under capitalism is a real mindfuck!
Alex, you are such a legend and icon and we are all so lucky to live in a world with your books in it! Thank you for sharing this, and I know you don’t need to hear this from me, but the impact you have on your readers and the literature scene as a whole will never change even if life circumstances do. It is such a rollercoaster with our identities being tied to our creative work, and I definitely don’t have the answers to make that journey smoother, but I’m in this boat with you and here to vent to in real life anytime!
A quick question: are the traditional publishers still making decisions only at the paper book sales today?
I’m not sure I fully understand the question, but publishers are making decisions at all points of a book’s life, not just the paperback stage. I’m here if that didn’t answer your question!
Sorry my question was more for it seems that ebook sales don’t count much. For the generation of me and my (younger) colleagues. At least 50% of our readings are ebooks.😄
Oh, I see! Publishers are definitely making decisions for ebooks along the way, but from my perspective it's less involved for them since it's just a one-time downloading to ebook platforms, whereas printing a book in different formats requires more time, money, and effort. For ebooks, I think a lot of their decisions are based around when to discount the download.
“Maybe framing your writing as a hobby and that being okay will take some of the pressure off and let you write what you enjoy.”
This was something I needed to hear today. I had a long and difficult journey to publishing my first book, which comes out with a Big 5 imprint next year. I’ve been trying to work on my second book, and I’ve been feeling discouraged about the professional side of things lately. This post is helping me prioritize the joy of creation over the professional concerns of what’s to come next. Thanks for sharing!
That professional side can so often creep into our minds and take the light out of what got us to write to begin with. Glad this post helped, and sending you so much good energy as you work on your second book!!
It really does help to see how earning out is happening (or not). I can relate to the reader whose 2021 book did not sell as hoped and did not get a paperback. Same! It stings. I, too, have found comfort and inspiration in Rick Rubin's book. Onward!
So many of us really are in similar boats in our careers!! Onward!!
Great post - and a timely question for me too! Thanks as always for being so grounded and real!
Thank you so much, Maya!! Happy to be in these writer waters with you!!