Whew--yes, and yes! Very grateful you're talking about this. In every writerly space I'm in (mostly all women), this is frequently brought up. You're voicing what so many of us know.
As an author, I have realized that there is only so much I am willing to do on social media (I liked it a lot better when it was a social network...there really is a big difference between an organically evolving network meant to connect and the expectation that everyone is their own media publishing "brand.") I am of the age that I can remember a "before" time, and I am not willing to live/post/share most of my life (or my family's life, which is an expectation put much more on women). I want to believe in the Kevin Kelly 1,000 true fans theory, and while I'll never be anywhere close to wealthy (nor do I care to play the game of capitalism any more than is required to survive our current context as I genuinely hope we dismantle this beast!), staying quietly true to the readers who have come alongside my books has proven to be enough (sometimes barely, and sometimes I panic, but when I zoom out and can breath, it is enough). The energy to hustle/post online saps my actual writing energy, and long-term, I need the actual writing energy more. I would love to see what can emerge that is actually sustainable.
This is an incredible series. Thank you for speaking to it and for the inclusion of Indigenous wisdom on a topic where we might not instinctively reach for it - the world needs more of that. I love to read and I'd love to be a published author someday but having to "play the game" of it all has been a turn-off to writing a book at all. I am eager to read more of this series.
My first book (traditionally published) released six months ago. I am just starting to feel like I have margin to look back over the last 2 1/2 years and reflect on what happened, what it meant, how it felt to live through.
And among other things, it has felt like if I wade into this kind of conversation, I’m complaining, when so many other people would like to have the chance to do this. And probably those people are very talented with very significant things to say. But one thing I have known from the start: publishing is not a meritocracy. And the publishing industry knows they can leverage the queue of people behind you wishing to do this to keep pushing you whether it’s good for you or not.
I appreciate that you're tackling this topic! I'm a self-published author, but am now seeking traditional publication for my second book. Even so, I decided to leave Instagram for good two years ago. I feel like it will take a series of miracles to publish traditionally. More and more I see the pitfalls and failings of the Christian publishing industry, especially when it comes to BIPOC authors. Looking forward to your series!
I'm so excited about this series, and as always, grateful for your authenticity and wisdom. My friend and I are finalizing our first book proposal for querying. We are weary, curious, concerned, hopeful. So many things.
I am 6 months into query, and haven't been in the long game of book publishing--although twenty years of blogging has given me a little insight on the lack of sustainability, plus coaching writers who are drained and burned out.
Point being, I see it as a big issue and something I am very aware of and cautious about stepping into (assuming I succeed, which I might not). It is scary when I hear back from an agent telling me to just drum-up another 100K-200k followers. That isn't life giving. I can be a healthy human and do that. And so I don't.
Then I have to decide who I want to be--successful, or sustainable? I have wanted to choose sustainable, which is why I haven't even began to pursue publishing until recently. But there is a huge fear of success, knowing I will have to be responsible for my own well-being. I mean, I guess there is God and community too, to help out! Either way, I'm simply stating I recognize the cost and I am counting it.
That being said, I appreciate you addressing this, especially putting words to something I observe. I love how you put sustainability into four different categories, I find that helpful. I am very curious what your take will be and I am sure I will continue to learn, soaking in your perspective. Thank you for sharing it. I already have so much about the industry, even just in concepts like how you choose to record or not record podcasts or speak, based on the little things you say here and there. I respect that greatly.
Whew--yes, and yes! Very grateful you're talking about this. In every writerly space I'm in (mostly all women), this is frequently brought up. You're voicing what so many of us know.
As an author, I have realized that there is only so much I am willing to do on social media (I liked it a lot better when it was a social network...there really is a big difference between an organically evolving network meant to connect and the expectation that everyone is their own media publishing "brand.") I am of the age that I can remember a "before" time, and I am not willing to live/post/share most of my life (or my family's life, which is an expectation put much more on women). I want to believe in the Kevin Kelly 1,000 true fans theory, and while I'll never be anywhere close to wealthy (nor do I care to play the game of capitalism any more than is required to survive our current context as I genuinely hope we dismantle this beast!), staying quietly true to the readers who have come alongside my books has proven to be enough (sometimes barely, and sometimes I panic, but when I zoom out and can breath, it is enough). The energy to hustle/post online saps my actual writing energy, and long-term, I need the actual writing energy more. I would love to see what can emerge that is actually sustainable.
This is an incredible series. Thank you for speaking to it and for the inclusion of Indigenous wisdom on a topic where we might not instinctively reach for it - the world needs more of that. I love to read and I'd love to be a published author someday but having to "play the game" of it all has been a turn-off to writing a book at all. I am eager to read more of this series.
My first book (traditionally published) released six months ago. I am just starting to feel like I have margin to look back over the last 2 1/2 years and reflect on what happened, what it meant, how it felt to live through.
And among other things, it has felt like if I wade into this kind of conversation, I’m complaining, when so many other people would like to have the chance to do this. And probably those people are very talented with very significant things to say. But one thing I have known from the start: publishing is not a meritocracy. And the publishing industry knows they can leverage the queue of people behind you wishing to do this to keep pushing you whether it’s good for you or not.
I appreciate that you're tackling this topic! I'm a self-published author, but am now seeking traditional publication for my second book. Even so, I decided to leave Instagram for good two years ago. I feel like it will take a series of miracles to publish traditionally. More and more I see the pitfalls and failings of the Christian publishing industry, especially when it comes to BIPOC authors. Looking forward to your series!
Thanks! Looking forward to this series as I'm in edits for my first book....so relevant and helpful for setting expectations and boundaries
I'm so excited about this series, and as always, grateful for your authenticity and wisdom. My friend and I are finalizing our first book proposal for querying. We are weary, curious, concerned, hopeful. So many things.
Looking forward to this.
I am 6 months into query, and haven't been in the long game of book publishing--although twenty years of blogging has given me a little insight on the lack of sustainability, plus coaching writers who are drained and burned out.
Point being, I see it as a big issue and something I am very aware of and cautious about stepping into (assuming I succeed, which I might not). It is scary when I hear back from an agent telling me to just drum-up another 100K-200k followers. That isn't life giving. I can be a healthy human and do that. And so I don't.
Then I have to decide who I want to be--successful, or sustainable? I have wanted to choose sustainable, which is why I haven't even began to pursue publishing until recently. But there is a huge fear of success, knowing I will have to be responsible for my own well-being. I mean, I guess there is God and community too, to help out! Either way, I'm simply stating I recognize the cost and I am counting it.
That being said, I appreciate you addressing this, especially putting words to something I observe. I love how you put sustainability into four different categories, I find that helpful. I am very curious what your take will be and I am sure I will continue to learn, soaking in your perspective. Thank you for sharing it. I already have so much about the industry, even just in concepts like how you choose to record or not record podcasts or speak, based on the little things you say here and there. I respect that greatly.
Appreciate this, Kaitlin.
Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
Loved your initial Insta post that sparked this and looking forward to this series. Thank you!