For some of us it has.
Not the style of your novel or the voice of your novel.
But what about the subject matter?
Yes, that might have to change.
Fellow writers, the economy has hit us too.
My second manuscript, Mama’s Gift, has had a hard time getting published. It tells the story of a single mother taking care of her chronically ill adult daughter. Right now, it’s in the hands of a publisher, and I’m playing the waiting game to see if it finds a home.
All the rejections I’ve received for this novel tell me that people love the story and the idea, but they feel my topic is too sad right now. They’re telling me that with the state of the economy right now, peopled don’t want to read sad books. I couldn’t believe my ears. Too sad? Since when are books too sad? I like watching movies with a box of tissues next to me, so reading a book that plays on my reader’s emotions is exactly what I wanted to hear.
But was it something readers are looking for right now?
My husband broke it down for me like this; “Let’s say a woman—we’ll call her Sophie—has just lost her job. She’s on unemployment and hasn’t been able to pay her mortgage in months. Her 401k is drained, her credit card accounts have been closed, and Sophie is days away from losing her home and living on the streets. If she went to library, which book do you think she’d want to read, something as sad as her life is already, or something that will make her laugh, or at least take her away from her own problems?â€
I wanted to argue why my book was valid, why she should still pick my book up and give it a try. But when I put myself in her shoes, I wouldn’t want to read a tear-jerker either. Sad but true.
Fiction is supposed to take your readers on a journey away from their current state of problems and land them smack dab into someone else’s problems. For horror, you want your readers to tremble in fear, in thrillers you want your readers to sweat with anticipation and science fiction you want your readers to go to another planet far, far, away. It’s one of the reason’s romance novels are selling like hotcakes right now—people want escapism, not realism.
As hard as it was, I had to face facts. Timing is everything, and maybe it isn’t the right time for my novel. So I buckled down and wrote another book. And you know what? That book sold.
If you call yourself a writer, then that’s what you do—you write. So if you’re agent can’t sell a book, or your editor isn’t digging what you’re trying to offer, then you write another one. And repeat if necessary.
Writing isn’t always pretty or glamorous; it’s a job like anything else. And in these hard times, it’s getting harder and harder to get that book sold. We can’t control the business side of writing, but we can control our attitude. Don’t let this bad economy make you feel doomed as a writer. Just keep writing. And who knows, the next book you write may sell.
Katrina’s Website: http://www.katrinaspencer.com
Katrina’s Blog: http://www.katrinaspencer.com/blog
Wonderful words of wisdom!
Thanks for stopping by Mel!
I think all in all, that your husband is right–and was right even before the economy supposedly went south. At one time people read tragedies and they felt life was “grand” and could read them and say, “At least my life is better than this fellows.” Now, to some, life has become a little more tragic and some look to books for answers and escape. There are some books on my shelf, excllent though they might be, that I know will bring my spirits down because of the sad theme or dark content. I stay away from those if at all possible. When I finish a book, I want a “come back” or “bounce back” feeling. I want to root so much for the main character that I’m talking back to the book. But then again, that’s just me.
Naleighna,
I agree with you. But then again, I always watch sappy movies and books. I love being so involved with the characters, whether on screen or in a book, that it moves me to tears. I know I might be alone on this one. Thanks for stopping by!
Maybe this is the wrong time for the story now, but times do change, so keep working and wait for the wind to blow!
Thanks Bettye! It’s growing dust in one of my desk drawers but hopefully one day I get to dust it off and try again when times are better.
Katrina, I love this article! Thanks so much for sharing it with us and congrats on the sale of the new book. I’ve heard writers refuse to understand that timing is very important when trying to get a book accepted by a major publisher. So, they keep waiting and waiting and waiting. My advice is to always keep writing! (It’s great to see that’s what you did and that the book sold, too).
Lissa, I ditto that “comeback” feeling. Some books take you down so low you can’t get back up and it’s just not something I’ve been in the mood for lately.
-Tee
No thank you Tee, for giving me this great opportunity! I’ve never been one to just wait–so much of trying to sell a novel is out of your hands. So writing another novel just made sense to me.
My Pleasure. You did the heavy lifting
I wrote more on Rawsistaz facebook site – I apologize for not posting it here…Here is the rest.
Awesome words of wisdom – Now this author is a true professional. Tee, I’m guilty of never reading what other authors have to say about the business of writing because most romanticize it. I’m glad I read this author – she put a whole new spin on “Its not you, its me” line lol – It’s not selling out – when you are selling
Mel,
Everyone keeps telling me to get a Facebook account, as of yet I don’t have one. (I’m so behind!) Thanks for adding the rest of the post here!
Betta come on over and join the dark side. LOL. I fought FB for over a year, but I will admit I do love it. I’ve reconnected with high school, college & Air Force buddies, so it’s been really cool.
And Mel, thanks for posting your comment too. I know folks like the quick & dirty responding in the comments section on FB, but this way they can be shared by a wider audience.
Thank you, thank you!
-Tee
Katrina,
Yes, I believe the economy has effected writers as well as the rest of the population. Writing is a business just like any other business, even if creative juices have to flow. Giving people what they need in somewhat dark times is not an easy task. I read your book, “Six O’Clock” and you delivered just that to your readers. It was insightful, truthful and terribly funny. When I put it down I felf better for reading it. So thank you. You may not ever publish the one dearest to your heart because of the times in which we find ourselves, but the ones that are published are just what the doctor ordered.
Dee,
What a wonderful, inspiring thing to say! Wow. It always makes me feel good when one of my readers reaches out, so thanks!
Tee,
No, not the dark side! I feel like once I get Facebook, then here comes Twitter and everything else. It’s too much!
Since I’m not one to wait for a publisher since I self publish my books, I write what I want to read. There are 6 billion people on earth. There will always be an audience. I write, I publish, then move on to the next thing. Even if the book I wrote is not what the mainstream is looking for, I let it go out there. Because of the billions on earth, there will be some who want what I’ve written.
And given that my mood and my intellectual needs change, I tend to write various types of stories. Happy, sad, funny, silly, sexy, witty, deep, spiritual, all of it (or some combination). So I’m sure if one book doesn’t sell widely, another one might. But I put them all out there. The reason I write what I like is because I dont want my reading desires to one day be dictated by the masses. Especially since I’m the kind of person who RARELY, if ever, follows the masses.
So I write for me and people like me, who love off the beaten path, love different, love unique, love what ever is new and fresh and not status quo…and love to read what I am in the mood for. Today it may be intelligent romance with a happy ending, tomorrow it might be horror, sci-fi, or tear jerker drama. I don’t want the market so saturated with happy joy joy stuff that I don’t have the option of getting that tear jerker I will eventually end up looking for. I suppose i’m one of the rare few who actually WANT to read reality. I don’t read to simply escape. Matter of fact, I can’t really say I’ve ever read to escape. I read to experience a world that elevates me in some way. My reading is done to always get something from what I’m reading…always…and not something that will only make me feel good, but possibly challenge my emotions so I can move to the next level. I need and crave intellectual stimulation, even when reading romance. That’s why I read in almost all genres.
So in a nutshell, I would prefer to be given a variety of choices on the market, not the choices only dictated by the masses. And as a writer, I want the opportunity to share what I’ve written with those who might be interested, however small that population of readers.
Pittershawn,
I absolutely love your confidence and spirit. And I agree different people equal different tastes. I think a day will come when my novel will get in the hands of readers, albeit self-publishing or going the traditional route. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Thanks for the very insightful article, Katrina! And yes, I agree with you–if you are a writer, you write! Good writers can always tell a good story; whether sad, happy, thought-provoking, suspenseful, etc. Writing different kinds of stories stretches you and enhances your craft. Also, the bottom line is that this is a business. As writers, the artist in us wants to create from the heart, current trends be damn! But to publishers, if it doesn’t make money, it doesn’t make sense. It’s a delicate balance. But I believe that well-written, beautifully crafted stories will win out every time, you just have to remember that timing is everything!
Peace,
Trice
Trice,
I do agree that timing is everything. Hopefully time will be on my side when I dust this book off and submit again. Thanks!
I guess misery may love company, but not the it’s own type of company, huh? Great article. Thought provoking.
McLaurin,
You hit the nail on the head with that one! Thanks!