Comments on: Retreads: I rode this train for so long…why?

By: Mike Cane

Mike Cane — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:07:59 +0000

>>>Really, I can’t.

I should have been clearer in my opening sentence: It *is* possible FOR SOME WRITERS to do a *good* book per year.

And it is also possible for VERY BAD WRITERS to do more than one book per year — and they usually *do*. And that fickle public who only reads crap will never venture beyond that, happy with the trough they’ve found.

By: RJ Keller

RJ Keller — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:01:25 +0000

I *could* write a book a year. If I did nothing else but write, eat, and poop. I kinda like my family, though.

But you’re right…we do need to be out there all the time. This is why I post my flash fiction and humorous work experiences/stories on my blog…to keep readers interested.

By: MoJo

MoJo — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:58:33 +0000

It *is* possible to do a *good* book a year.

Really, I can’t. And I’ve no doubt others CAN, but I can’t imagine having to be FORCED to do it when I’m simply not capable of it. If you add in Being Seen as your primary occupation once your book’s on the stand, when do you have time to write? (Granted, that’s coming from a writer with a day job.)

Seems to me, either way, you’re at the publisher’s mercy. It’s just the difference between indentured servitude and slavery.

Given the fickleness — and greed — of the public

The public has been TRAINED by the publishers to expect this. I know lots of readers who would willingly wait longer for a book from an author they love than get a subpar effort once or twice a year.

By: Mike Cane

Mike Cane — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:47:41 +0000

This subject drives me up the frikkin wall.

It *is* possible to do a *good* book a year. I think Ken Bruen is capable of that — but he’s had twenty years of being held back from writing and is now in his own element, finally.

And even when a writer, like Bruen, is capable of doing *multiple* books per year, the damned publisher won’t pick them all up! St. Martin’s, Bruen’s crap house, ignored several of his books and went to smaller houses. It makes it hell for someone like me to read Bruen — and scorches the chance for everything in a timely eBook format.

Given the fickleness — and greed — of the public, a writer does indeed have to be out there All The Time. Just look at how much effort someone like John Scalzi puts into his blog to stay out there in everyone’s mind.

The only answer I see for writers is direct publishing. As houses shed writers for lacking the Book A Year Spirit (as well as other reasons), they’ll have no other alternative.