Well, nine times out of ten, "oh that trope" can publish and sell better than some crazy high-concept idea because this isn't TV and it isn't the pitch that matters.
However, I'm with you on feeling the crushing futility of writing. I'm trying to keep ahead of it by writing things that are very different from each other (i.e., fiction and then academia and then applying for stuff) so I'll have to pick one to feel sad about, but it's not working.
People who rip self-publishing are just being unprofessional. Publishing with standard publishers isn't some gold standard, like it might be with academia (and, even then, that's only because it says that someone checked the validity of your work, which does not apply in fiction). I think certain books are meant for traditional publishers and some are not.
Cue the old, "if only good books were accepted by traditional publishers..." line.
The problem with self-publishing is also that people don't buy because, well. Lack of publicity and also the lack of gatekeepers means they're not guaranteed consistent quality.
Yesss! Don't listen to those people who just want you to write things that professors of writing like because, well, have you seen the typical sales figures for "academic" fiction? And those awards don't exactly pay the bills.
I still think self-publishing is far better off than it was. It'll catch on once it fully realizes its own counter-cultural branding.
Yeah, the lack of consistent quality will always be a spectre, but reviews are becoming more of a thing-so I imagine that will even out someday.
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However, I'm with you on feeling the crushing futility of writing. I'm trying to keep ahead of it by writing things that are very different from each other (i.e., fiction and then academia and then applying for stuff) so I'll have to pick one to feel sad about, but it's not working.
People who rip self-publishing are just being unprofessional. Publishing with standard publishers isn't some gold standard, like it might be with academia (and, even then, that's only because it says that someone checked the validity of your work, which does not apply in fiction). I think certain books are meant for traditional publishers and some are not.
Cue the old, "if only good books were accepted by traditional publishers..." line.
Reply
The problem with self-publishing is also that people don't buy because, well. Lack of publicity and also the lack of gatekeepers means they're not guaranteed consistent quality.
Reply
I still think self-publishing is far better off than it was. It'll catch on once it fully realizes its own counter-cultural branding.
Yeah, the lack of consistent quality will always be a spectre, but reviews are becoming more of a thing-so I imagine that will even out someday.
Reply
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