Not much. I went to Mark Victor Hansen's MegaBook workshop a few years ago thanks to a client and met a lot of wonderful people, from agents to publishers and other writers. My philosophy though with the media, that includes book publishers, is that the media are people, too, just like reporters, editors, TV folks, radio talk show hosts, even Oprah! People put celebs and media on a pedestal then are disappointed when they are just human beans like everyone else. I am a realist except when being idealistic, I try to have my foot on the earth along with my puppy's paws... Publishers are overworked and have their job to do. It's kind of simple when you see people as they are instead of how you want them to be. Not your best friend or buddy, just a professional doing their job.
Overall, I find that publishing is on the decline. It's funny, there used to be a very clear hierarchy, or, arts pyramid, where publishing and theater occupied the apex of the creativity food chain. Movies were in the upper middle, followed by television at the bottom rung. In the last decade we've seen that order practically invert. Television (especially HBO and Showtime programs, such as: Friday Night Lights, Studio 60, The Sopranos, Californication, Weeds, etc. are among the very finest efforts ever written and televised.
Publishing, movies, and now, sadly, theater are at the bottom. With newspapers folding in record numbers and reading itself on the decline, publishing has become the "new" television, with movies falling precariously close to rock bottom. Movies will rebound, as will theater, eventually, whereas, publishing will not. I hope I'm wrong.
I spent 10 years researching and writing an exciting book about consciousness, society and sexuality from a man's point of view. It's meant to be a type of manual for educated men and women to perfect their sex lives-- a modern western guide so to speak. The uniform response I get from publishers is that men don't buy books about sex PERIOD. That's it. So, it's not the publisher's fault, per se. Society is approaching record level mediocrity. It makes sense to pay Sarah Palin $7,000,000 for her biography even though she's barely been out of Alaska.   | | |
I've been cheered by dealing with my current publisher, Brian Hades, at EDGE. He's been a genial, supportive, and enthuasiastic participant in getting the novel out. I've heard horror stories but fortunately, they haven't happened to me. Oh, there was the editor at a small press in Arizona (I think it was Arizona) who read JEMMA7729 and wrote me back to say it was "terrible," and that I should "give up writing." Ta-da! I kept that letter for awhile, then one day took it into my backyard and burned it.
Publishers are like lovers. They love you at first, but once they realize what you're like, their image of you changes.
Limited at best. I am talking with one right now about getting a series of books started. Wish me luck.
Little.
If you don't already have a name or a connection it is almost impossible to get published.
Most publishers these days require you to have an agent before they'll even look at your work. Sometimes finding an agent is just as hard as finding a publisher! Maybe you know someone? I do have a list of agents or agencies favorable to new writers.
I've self-published poetry and am generally satisfied with the outcome. I haven't approached publishers regarding my novel yet but plan to in the near future. My only concern is that my work be primarily judged on its artistic merits, and not upon purely cosmetic/financial considerations.
Mixed. It depends on the genre, the publication, and the personality of the editor or publisher. Some experiences have been very rewarding and others very disappointing.
Virtually non-existent, but that's to be expected at this time. The economy is sluggish and I'm a relatively unknown and unproven writer. Most publsihers are sticking with proven money-makers right now, and many of the publishers that are looking at new talent usually aren't interested in the cross-genre writing that I've been doing. Things will change, and so will my answer, I hope.
Just starting, but so far so good.
Wonderful. They have championed my cause without me asking, and opted to either print on environmentally friendly paper or go for a carbon free print.
It's very hard work, when one is an unknown, but I felt good when I read about Mary Higgins Clark and learned that she had more rejections for her first novel than I did!
I have had no experience with a publisher. |
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