Paul, I'm worried about you. This is, as always with you, very clever and provocative writing, but it's all punchline and little substance, all anger and no solutions. I'll email you later, as a friend and former colleague, as you essentially dissed the meaningful work of millions in writing, illustrating, teaching, bookselling, libraries, and in publishing -- people who helped YOU in your work every day -- the many of us who loved and still love going to work every day. I have advice on how you might look back on how this piece could've been written, and was, with a few different nouns, in each of the last 6-8 decades. And how much has changed for the better, and it is a LOT. I also have advice, if you want it, on how you can get out and recharge yourself with some bookstore and library visits, where the work of getting good books into reader's hands is happening, with passion and joy. I want the joyful Paul back.
Carl! Always nice to hear from you. I look forward to your email. The joyful Paul still exists - fear not (though his career may be all punchline and little substance!) Cheers!
A perfect read for ten days post-pub with my new book and two days after the Times reviewed it. BEAT. Online. But just left Bookhampton, where it’s selling a copy a day. As opposed to Model, which sold a copy a minute in 1995. And that was just at Doubleday #1. There was also Doubleday #2. B. Dalton. Brentanos. Scribner’s. All within about seven blocks. Beat. Me. With a copy of Barbra.
Now I'm REALLY glad I didn't pursue the trade imprint idea! My kids call publishing the zombie business. https://karenchristensen.substack.com/p/do-you-have-a-book-in-you (I see that I mentioned my son in that letter. Just last week my daughter, who also worked for my publishing company after college, said that even on her worst days in court, dealing with criminals, she has never once wished she was back in publishing.)
Ohhhhhhhh. This hit hard. Like a lawn dart to the chest. I am definitely sharing this to my writing group. And sending it to soon to be late agent, who said the book I penned with such similar views about the publishing industry was too punk and anti-establishment for him to pitch.( apparently that is not a compliment) I do wonder if he'll realize he missed the mark, as I wrote this four years ago and everything has come true in my fictional world. Well, except for the editor becoming an accidental serial killer of cozy authors. Yeah, there's that.
Paul: This is all so brilliant and interesting. As a writer, though, the whole infrastructure is invisible to me. But then -- it’s supposed to be that way, I guess? Protection for everyone when our books (invariably) tank?
You left out how publishers pay out millions to political figures who don't sell TO INDIVIDUALS nearly the amount of booksales reported. Publishing has a lot of corruption. Maybe the public smells it.
Come on, Paul. We're going to need some hints about the milk. Eight gallons is maybe enough for...Joan Didion?
Paul, I'm worried about you. This is, as always with you, very clever and provocative writing, but it's all punchline and little substance, all anger and no solutions. I'll email you later, as a friend and former colleague, as you essentially dissed the meaningful work of millions in writing, illustrating, teaching, bookselling, libraries, and in publishing -- people who helped YOU in your work every day -- the many of us who loved and still love going to work every day. I have advice on how you might look back on how this piece could've been written, and was, with a few different nouns, in each of the last 6-8 decades. And how much has changed for the better, and it is a LOT. I also have advice, if you want it, on how you can get out and recharge yourself with some bookstore and library visits, where the work of getting good books into reader's hands is happening, with passion and joy. I want the joyful Paul back.
Carl! Always nice to hear from you. I look forward to your email. The joyful Paul still exists - fear not (though his career may be all punchline and little substance!) Cheers!
Huzzah for booksellers and librarians! ❤️
👍👍👍👍👍
A perfect read for ten days post-pub with my new book and two days after the Times reviewed it. BEAT. Online. But just left Bookhampton, where it’s selling a copy a day. As opposed to Model, which sold a copy a minute in 1995. And that was just at Doubleday #1. There was also Doubleday #2. B. Dalton. Brentanos. Scribner’s. All within about seven blocks. Beat. Me. With a copy of Barbra.
Now I'm REALLY glad I didn't pursue the trade imprint idea! My kids call publishing the zombie business. https://karenchristensen.substack.com/p/do-you-have-a-book-in-you (I see that I mentioned my son in that letter. Just last week my daughter, who also worked for my publishing company after college, said that even on her worst days in court, dealing with criminals, she has never once wished she was back in publishing.)
Ohhhhhhhh. This hit hard. Like a lawn dart to the chest. I am definitely sharing this to my writing group. And sending it to soon to be late agent, who said the book I penned with such similar views about the publishing industry was too punk and anti-establishment for him to pitch.( apparently that is not a compliment) I do wonder if he'll realize he missed the mark, as I wrote this four years ago and everything has come true in my fictional world. Well, except for the editor becoming an accidental serial killer of cozy authors. Yeah, there's that.
Glad to read you, always. And anything about Sonny, I lap up.
Paul: This is all so brilliant and interesting. As a writer, though, the whole infrastructure is invisible to me. But then -- it’s supposed to be that way, I guess? Protection for everyone when our books (invariably) tank?
You left out how publishers pay out millions to political figures who don't sell TO INDIVIDUALS nearly the amount of booksales reported. Publishing has a lot of corruption. Maybe the public smells it.