We Have the Power

I’ve been asked a number of times this week why I don’t separate the publishing course I teach into one on how to get traditionally published and one on how to get self-published.  There’s a very simple answer to that — I don’t believe we should completely dismiss the traditional publishing market. Yes, we live in quickly changing times, where writers have so many more possibilities. There is this wonderful new kind of magic with which we can publish our own work, but as with any magic, there is a price that must be paid in order to use it.

Traditional publishers are still the only game for millions of readers — readers who want to feel a physical book in their hands; readers who enjoy the sound of a page turning and who don’t want to lose that special relationship that we have with a physical book. They want to walk into a book store, browse and walk out with something they can’t wait to delve into. And they’re not interested in downloading it to their Kindle, Nook or iPad, because many of them don’t own one. These readers should not be dismissed or forgotten about, which is exactly what writers who completely ignore traditional publishing without even giving it a try are doing.

The people I teach are not only writers, they are brand-spanking-new writers. Some of them who take my course haven’t even finished their books yet. Heck, some of them haven’t even begun. They’re taking the course because they want to see what is ahead of them at the end of that long road of writing. So, should I tell them that it’s ok to write their book and slap it up on Amazon and see what happens? No, a hundred times no.

I have no idea if their book is going to be any good and neither do they. It is the people who write whatever and throw it out there that muddy up the marketplace for the rest of us who work ourselves to the bone — working on craft, editing, rewriting, editing again and again and again and then sending our work out not only to editors, but beta readers as well. We who take our work seriously, who call ourselves professional writers and take pride in our work.

Now, I’m not saying that there may not be a gem among those who haven’t even written page one of their books. They may have that innate talent that put the rest of us to shame. But they may not, and it doesn’t help the rest of us when they put their garbage up for sale next to our slogged over manuscripts.

So, I tell my students and the administrators that if they want to be a professional writer, they have to try the professional route first. Write the book. Edit it and make it as perfect as they can get it. Then, write the synopsis and a fabulous query letter and send it to 15, 25 or 50 agents and editors. At the very least, they will get feedback telling them what they need to work on to make their book publishable. And in the best case scenario, they’ll get a publishing contract. Then, I tell them, if all else fails, self-publish and be proud of what you’ve produced. Be proud to put your hard work out there to be judged by readers who have embraced this new technology and who can’t live without their e-readers. Pay the price for the magic, and you will be given all the power you so richly deserve.