Yesterday, at the California Writers Club, we had the good fortune to hear Kevin Smokler, founder of BookTour.com – Where Authors and Audiences Meet, give us industry news, predictions of drastic change in the literary community, and seven reasons to keep on keepin’ on. The following is the gist of Kevin’s presentation.
To put it mildly, it wasn’t easy to sell books last year, but at least there was a sense that Rome was not burning around our ears. Publishers Weekly is calling this (2009) “the worst year for publishing in decades.”
And the prediction for aspiring writers and authors is just as dire. There is a steady reliance by publishers on blockbusters. Either you have a name and a track record, or forget it. Big names like Amy Tan, Isabel Allende, John Grisham, and J. K. Rowling will have to write a book a month to please the publishers!
While the book business, in general, is facing considerable challenge, and aspiring writers are feeling unseen, unheard, unsung, interesting things happen. People are looking for answers, change, and will look at anything new.
Today, my friends, we will discuss appropriate actions for our writings in times such as these, in times when the work is great, the day is short, and odds do not seem in our favor.
What to do? We should feel empowered, wipe the slate clean. Reinvent ourselves and what we do, if that’s
what it takes. We will work together, help each other – it’s no time to be selfish. Economic downtimes bring about good because people aren’t comfortable, they are not afraid of change, and they’re looking for answers. Looking to move on and begin anew.
SEVEN RESOLUTIONS
1. Work must come first
The regularity of work is a comfort, but don’t get complacent
2. Time to experiment
If you write nonfiction, try your hand at poetry or a novel
3. Get educated
Read more books, new authors, seek out a mentor
4. Express gratitude
Write letters and handwritten notes of thankfulness
5. Give back
Not the time to be selfish; volunteer, support others
6. Envision the world you want
Make it happen, act as if you already have what you want
7. Be courageous
Do not complain, imagine better times and act the part, be the positive example
It’s crucial that we work together.
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