As a published writer with a much-anticipated novel ready to hit the market, it’s common for readers to expect that they can walk into any bookstore chain (i.e. Borders, Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks) and instantly find one of my novels. I’m flattered by the presumption, and I can veritably envision the upturned frown of an anxious fan when the bookseller tells them “that book isn’t in stock.” Of course, that is followed up by the mandatory, “but we can order it from our warehouse.” The speechless fan doesn’t understand why the book isn’t available because it was released the previous week. Sure, the book isn’t on the New York Times bestseller list, but they are standing in a retail bookstore filled with thousands of books!
You see, I understand. I’m not just empathizing because I am a writer. Rather, I once worked in a bookstore years ago. I recall saying those words on a regular basis (“That book isn’t it stock, but we can order it from our warehouse.”) That phrase became robotic, especially if said reader wasn’t searching for authors with the last name of King, Barker, Rice, or Straub.
What is the reason for this? It boils down to a battle royal of sorts...the one many deem as large publishing houses vs. small publishing houses.
I would think the difference between the two is obvious. But let’s do an experiment to prove it. Grab the last five books you purchased from within a bookstore chain such as Barnes & Noble or Waldenbooks (special orders excluded). I can bet that at least three out of those five books are branded by any of the following publishing houses: Viking, Doubleday, Simon & Schuster, Knopf, Random House, Harper Collins, Hyperion, or a number of their affiliate/sister companies with which there are simply too many to list. Does this make me psychic? No. I’m a writer, not a clairvoyant.
Aspiring writers are discovering that publishing a novel through traditional, large publishing houses has become a grueling task. First, most major publishing houses, such as Viking and Doubleday, won’t go near a book proposal without it being submitted by an agent. OK, so get an agent. The reality of getting an agent (without having to incur unsubstantiated costs) can be a whole other task in itself. That said, there are many “agents” who prey on aspiring writers by nickel-and-diming them. The reality with agents is that if they charge a writer a “reading fee,” forget them! However, that’s a whole other story. Most importantly, large publishing houses don’t publicize books like they once did. Large publishing houses are so adamant on making a profit off material (in a society in which reading books is diminishing), that they count on the author’s own marketing to get books out of the bookstores and into the hands of would-be fans.
Hence, the modern-day author tends to see or discovers (in the process of submitting his or her first novel) the bureaucracy involved in being published. With that, they turn to smaller presses. Many smaller presses will take a finished novel without an agent. On the other hand, they usually don’t pay as much in royalties and aren’t as widely recognized.
Now we have come full circle.
A book published by a small press is unlikely to have multiple copies available upon a bookshelf in a chain store filled with thousands of publications. Unfortunately, books published by small publishing houses are blind to the perusing eye of a book lover eagerly searching the shelves at his/her local Barnes & Noble (or other bookstore chain). Think about it...how many great stories are going unread, or are yet to be discovered, simply because of the bookstore fearing the loss of revenue by putting a book published by a small press upon their shelves.
I’ve witnessed this with my first novel, The Rules of Temptation.
Recently, I received correspondence from four people who visited bookstore chains to purchase my first novel. Two of them responded with, “I got the last copy!” Although, I came to the realization that that was possibly one of three copies the store carried. The other two fans stated that the bookstore didn’t carry the novel and they had to “special order” it. Truly, I felt embarrassed.
Recently, I became a member of The Next Generation Writers. You were probably already aware of this is you saw the banner on my MySpace page. The Next Generation Writers was founded by Kristy Tallman (author of the highly acclaimed novels Crows on the Cross and The All-Souls Faerie). The purpose of the group is to bring (a much needed) light to small presses and authors who are published by such (or even self-published).
The importance of a group such as The Next Generation Writers cannot be stressed enough! There is a growing concern from authors when preparing their manuscript for the possibility of publication. Think about all the hard work, the endless days and nights and the blood, sweat, and tears an author puts into writing a book. Now, regardless of how excellent their novel may be, if said writer was rejected from a large publisher for such bureaucratic reasons such as absence of a reputable agent, graphic scenes within said novel, or because the publisher doesn’t recognize a “trend” in the marketplace for such a book, how do you think that author feels. From experience, I can recall that horrible feeling of defeat! When you think about it, it’s a damn shame!
Who’s to predict what trend the readers of the world should be subjected? Furthermore, who’s to say that such an undiscovered talent wouldn’t be much appreciated by readers? Isn’t the next best thing usually something new one has never experienced before?
Imagine how many writers have felt such defeat and given up. Think about how many voices of all the aspiring talent in the world are being hushed due to their ingenious creativity!
It’s time for writers, readers and small presses to take a stand against autocracy created by large publishing houses. It’s time for ALL to be heard!
This is but one of many doctrines that The Next Generation Writers stands for. Please learn more about The Next Generation Writers by visiting their MySpace page (www.myspace.com/thenextgenerationwriters). There is so much you will be surprised to learn.
Because of the stand with which The Next Generation Writers is making, I decided to become a member. I ask all fans, friends, and fellow writers who also believe in this cause to support it by also becoming a member. Even if you’re not a writer and you want to support the principles of which The Next Generation Writers stands for, I urge you to sign-up for Fan Membership or make a donation of any amount.
All the information you need to know about The Next Generation Writers can be located on the groups MySpace page.
Thank you, in advance, for your support of this writer about a cause!
“The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives”
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andrew_wolter- Andrew Wolter
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