Romance Writers are Not Serious Writers? Really, Now???????

In a discussion currently going on in LinkedIn I had the misfortune to read a post from another writer who is of the misconception that romance writers are not serious writers! Really? This person (whose name I will be good enough to omit) is also of the opinion that romance writers are not quality writers. Really? Mind you, I love romance and it is my writing genre of choice, and yes, I am a serious writer, and who is this person to judge the writing abilities of those who  choose romance, probably the highest selling genre available.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with those who choose not to read romance: after all, I don’t like science fiction or horror. I’ve said many times when the subject of Stephen King came up in discussions that while I don’t like WHAT he writes, I will not say he isn’t a good writer. Having never read his work, how would I know that anyway? He must be doing something right though, to make the amount of money he does and continue being on the NYT Best Seller’s List. My complaint is not with people who don’t like romance but who attempt to degrade it into a lower style of writing.

Do you prefer literary fiction? There is nothing wrong with this type of fiction, either–if one can even put a definition on it in the 21st century. What used to be called “literary fiction” may no longer exist, and even love stories from centuries gone by may not exist as they once did. For instance, Romeo & Juliet would not be called a romance in today’s market because it ends with a tragedy instead of Happy Ever After or even Happy for Now, especially elements in today’s romance genre.

Where does this leave those of us who enjoy reading and writing romance? We should be free to do both as we feel the mood. It is not up to other writers to say we are not serious writers and do not write well but the buying public. They are the most important elements, after all. If you can’t present a good plot along with a great romance you won’t retain readers. What should you do with naysayers? Do as I do and don’t pay attention to them or tell them to read the statistics and then get back to working on that wonderful romance novel.

Everyone Wants to be a Writer in the 21st Century

With computer access and self-publishing it seems everyone wants to be a writer now. Even worse yet, everyone thinks they have what it takes, and if they can’t find a publisher or agent, they resort to self-publishing. The problem is not everyone has the ability to be a good writer, and self-publishing makes good writing skills unimportant to many new writers.

Where Does the Problem Begin?

What is it that makes everyone today want to be a writer? One of the biggest problems seems to be money, and this is where the self-publishing industry is partly to blame. Writers in the 21st century do not feel there is any need to have a traditional publisher–in fact many are not even attempting to obtain an agent or publisher. What is this happening? Some of the reasons you may hear include but are not limited to the following:

• They are afraid of rejection–a common reason is “I know no one will publish my book.” Maybe that should be a clue that either you aren’t good enough to be a published writer or need to polish your book some more first.
• They want complete control of their manuscript. In other words they don’t want a publisher deciding on what the book will be titled, what kind of design will be on the cover, the typeface of the inside or the price of the book. Apparently the days of the publisher knowing what sells is lost to the self-publishing industry that lets writers make their own decisions, ones that are seldom based on research and marketability.
• Self-publishing offers a higher “return on investment” according to many self-published writers, but this is a fallacy in my opinion. There are many other things to consider such as the number of books you are likely to sell compared to traditional publishing. There is also the loss of one sales outlet: the brick and mortar book store since very few book stores carry self-published books. Those that do make it into bookstores are there only because the writers make some kind of agreement with the bookstore, quite often meaning the store accepts the books on consignment. This means the author must literally purchase their books and provide them to the bookstore and hope they sell. Some small stores might be willing to take a chance on a local author, but this is not the normal process.
• Writers tend to think they know more about the publishing industry than agents and publishers or they develop a mindset where they don’t care what sells as long as they can publish their manuscripts and receive “royalties,” which are really not royalties but rather the difference between what the author paid for the book and the sales price.
• They fall for self-publishing companies that say they is “no cost” to publish thinking that means they don’t even have to proofread or edit their work. This makes the author look bad and gives self-publishing the stigma it still retains.
• They think being traditionally published eliminates any type of marketing and are disillusioned when they find out differently. They figure if they have to market their own material they might as well self-publish. the reality is traditional publishers are doing less marketing than they used to do, but this should not discourage writers from choosing the traditional route if that is what they really want to do.

Everyone Wants to Write a Personal Memoir

Another problem that has developed with the advent of self-publishing is that everyone thinks they have a unique story that will be interesting to the reading public. I am amazed at the increase in the number of people who want to write personal memoirs thinking everyone will be interested. For those who wish to self-publish memoirs so they can give copies to friends and family members, I say go for it, but the problem is there are too many writers–or writer wannabes–who think they have a special story that the public will find interesting. Even if you think your story is unique chances are someone else already told the same story and/or went through the exact same trials and tribulations.

Self-Published Authors Are Another Problem

I also see self-published writers as being a problem because they encourage new writers to self-publish without knowing whether the writer has writing ability. They also do so without telling both the advantages and disadvantages or know if the manuscript is ready for publication. We have to reach a point where all writers have enough pride in their work to make sure it is polished before they put it into the public’s hands. In addition, potential writers need to understand not everyone has what it takes to be a writer, and just because you have a computer doesn’t mean you should be a writer.

Writers Need to Research Publishers First

It completely amazes me the number of newly published writers who will brag about being “published” through vanity presses! I fail to understand the joy they feel when they have to pay sometimes thousands of dollars. Even worse is the fact they use companies without conducting proper research. I belong to several groups on LinkedIn, and the topic has come up on numerous occasions–some writers will have enough insight to ask before using a publisher. Two such examples are iUniverse and Author House. In spite of the insight of some to question the integrity of these vanity presses, a week or two later someone else will post they actually have a contract with them! Why do they belong to writing groups if they are not going to take the time to read posts, especially those that relate to a topic of such importance?

The Importance of Researching First

One of the big problems with vanity houses is they exploit unpublished writers, even to the point of telling them traditional publishers will see their book in bookstores and offer them a contract. They are so excited about the offer that they don’t take the time to weigh the facts.

• Bookstores do not stock self-published books unless the authors contact them directly.
• Vanity presses will publish any book when the author is willing to pay the price. It doesn’t matter if the book is any good or not–they are only looking for the money it will bring from the author.
• Authors usually only get a few copies of their books for the price they pay–any others they must pay for although they might get a discount.
• Vanity presses charge for every service they offer: printing, promotion, proofreading, editing, etc.

Learn to Follow the Advice of Others

While I am still working on my book, I have learned enough to know how to choose a publisher, and that includes conducting research. Whenever someone mentions I name with which I am not familiar the first thing I do is go to Preditors and Editors and Writer Beware. In the case of both iUniverse and Author House you will discover they are listed by P&E as “not recommended.” I know they have been on the list of publishers to avoid since at least the turn of the 21st century yet novice authors get in such a hurry that they don’t take the time to research first.

In addition to checking out Preditors and Editors and Writer Beware, Angela Hoy has a newsletter she publishes that includes a section called “Whispers and Warnings.” She includes various publishers who have attempted (or succeeded) in scamming writers. While these are often publications, you can gain a great deal of insight.

Speak to other published writers to see what kind of experiences they had with their publishers or agents–yes, you should check out agents first as well, another feature Preditors and Editors includes. You can learn much more from other writers than you can from just online research. It can certainly take time, but you can save yourself a great deal of frustration and avoid making a costly mistake.

Do Not Pay Someone to Publish Your Book

This is one of the most expensive lessons authors need to learn because any company that wants up front fees is a vanity press. I have had self-published writers try to tell me the term is obsolete, that they wish to be called Indie publishers, but the problem is that can also refer to a small independent traditional publisher.

If you are insistent upon self-publishing choose an online source such as Create Space or Smash Words–other authors have indicated they take a percentage of the sales rather than charging an up front fee. Of course, the perfect solution is to work hard to find a traditional publisher–print or e-book–but the bottom line is avoid any company that has a bad reputation and is listed as “not recommended” on Preditors and Editors or Writer Beware.

Demand Media Has to Answer to Regulators for Accounting Practices

Most freelance writers are familiar with Demand Media, and some like myself have been exposed in the past to the way they treat writers with their stringent demands for such low pay. Demand Media/Demand Studios and all their other entities give a new meaning to the word content mill, and the information they recently disclosed to the SEC following their IPO filing in August 2010 should make all of us in the industry stand up and take notice.

Profit or Loss?

According to Demand Media’s IPO filing in August 2010 they had a loss of $22 million in 2009, $14 million loss in 2008 and a loss in 2007 of almost $6 million.  While this might not come as a shock to some people, the problem is that Demand Media’s CEO, Richard Rosenblatt, has been telling people in the media that the company is profitable.  Where is the problem? How can there be two separate answers to the same question? A company is either profitable or it isn’t, and quite honestly, I find it difficult to believe any kind of a loss because of the low payments they make to writers and editors who work for this content mill.

Demand Media’s Answer

The article that appeared in CNNMoney.com indicates that Demand Media treats payments it makes to writers and editors as a capital expenditure and expenses it over a five year period. Their reasoning is that they continue to make money from the articles writers publish for a period of 5.4 years, so they do not feel they should have to expense those payments at the same time they pay the writers. What this means for the writers that choose the flat $15 payment instead of revenue share is the company is still making money off those articles beyond the time covered by their payment to the writers.

Devaluation of Writers’ Needs

As a writer who once did work for Demand Studios, I have often said the way they treat writers is inhumane at best. While to novice writers, payment of $15 for a 400 word article may seem like a nice sum of cash, the reality is you have to work very hard to earn it, and in some cases it may take you more than an hour to research and write the article. Even if you choose an article on a topic you know well, you must still find at least one online source to use, and you must have at least five subheadings in each article.

Their required editorial reviews can also cause problems for writers who already have experience because they may assign you to an editor who treats you as though you are new to writing which was my experience. The combination of this dual accounting practice and their treatment of the very people who make them profitable is enough to make one question the integrity of the company and its entities in its entirety.

Forget the Resolutions and Set Goals Instead

The past month has been a very busy one for me which is very good indeed. I started ghostwriting a blog on luxury sports car which has brought in some additional income and a regular client has been providing me with some regular work as well which brings me to the topic of this post. Now that we have passed the holidays and entered 2011, many of you are probably thinking about making New Year’s resolutions. The question is: when is the last time you made a New Year’s Resolution you kept?

Breaking Resolutions Causes Anger and Frustration

At one time I used to have at least one New Year’s Resolution every year, and it was usually to lose weight. It worked for a while but then I started slacking off and lost track of what I had intended to do. The result? I became angry and frustrated with myself, so I quit even trying.

The Process of Goal Setting

As writers there are things we need to do on a regular basis and those things should not be based upon the coming of a New Year but should be things we do every single day. This year instead of attempting to create New Year’s resolutions you will not be able to keep anyway (probably because you set your sights too high), define some achievable goals.

What do I mean by “achievable goals”? Many people make the mistake of setting their sights too high. As writers that might include any number of the following:

• Seeing your book in print when you don’t even have a publisher yet.
• Finishing the novel you haven’t started.
• Finding an agent or publisher for the novel you haven’t finished.
• Doubling your income from 2010.
• Expecting to double your current freelancing fees.

The key is to set short-term goals and move forward from there. For instance, you might set a goal of increasing your freelance rates by $.20 a word by the end of the year or finishing your novel so you can polish it by the end of the year–then look for a publisher and/or agent. When you set small goals that are easier to achieve, you do not suffer the frustration that is common when you set your sights too high and fail.

Be Consistent in Your Efforts

Another problem that is common with people in all walks of life is lack of consistency. This is essential no matter what type of job you do, but it is even more important for writers because it is so easy for us to give up when we don’t reach the level of success we expected. Writing is a very competitive field and as such we have to be in tune with what is going on and never lose sight of our goals. Unless you work consistently someone else will obtain what you were seeking to achieve.

Strive for Perfection

One of the most important things a writer can do is always work toward achieving perfection. You should never send a manuscript to anyone unless it is as perfect as you can make it. Don’t rely on spell check or grammar check but take the time to read yourself and even ask someone else (someone who can give an objective analysis) to read it as well. Polish everything you write until it shines before you send it to a publisher, agent or editor.  There is no easier way to kill your chances of publication than to send a manuscript that is full of spelling and grammatical errors.

Editing is not a Writer’s Responsibility: WRONG!

Many novice writers make the mistake of thinking they do not have to edit their manuscripts before they submit them to a publication, agent or publisher. They have the mistaken idea that editing is not their job because the publisher has someone in-house to edit before the manuscript is published. The reality is that the editor will not review manuscripts that contain numerous errors. When you submit your manuscript to a publisher without taking the time to self-edit you run the risk of finding your hard work going right into the slush pile.

One of the things writers need to remember is that more publishers are reducing the amount of time they allot to editing functions. They depend upon writers to submit manuscripts that are clean and free of errors. The function of editors is not to spell-check and proofread the work of editors but to make sure the document adheres to the guidelines and is in accordance with the approved topic. The editor may also verify the facts and sources of information, but it depends on the publication.

When it comes to fiction, it is very unlikely that editors will do much proofreading, spell checking or grammar checking. They are usually looking for formatting, structure and plot. If something stands out they may fix it, but that is not the purpose of editing fiction. Of course, this is AFTER the manuscript has been approved for publication. On the initial submission they will not be doing anything but looking for plot, structure and potential salability. The editor will overlook a few minor errors; after all, even the best proofreader and editor can miss something. However, the manuscript should be as perfect as you can make it.

If editing is the responsibility of the writer, does that mean each writer needs to invest money into paying a professional editor? While it is a good practice to develop, you can certainly avoid the expense if you have a friend who can objectively review your manuscript. having a second pair of eyes review your writing is always a good idea. Remember, you are too close to the writing and will have a tendency to read what you meant to type rather than what you actually typed. Another way to avoid hiring an editor is to put the piece down for a month or so and then reread it with fresh eyes. Certainly this will not work when you have a specific deadline, but if you are working on a book or short story, it will definitely work and is a good idea. In fact putting your story down for a while will also help you see any flaws in your storyline

The most important thing to remember is never under any circumstances submit any work that is not as perfect as you can make it. Read it, reread it, read it again and have others read it before you send it to a publisher or agent. No matter how good your storyline may be, if you submit it to an agent or publisher with many errors, it will end up in the slush pile. Even worse, you will find your name on the black list with other publishers–remember, they talk to one another, and an author who submits error laden work will make the rounds among editors and publishers.

Should a Writer Pay an Editor?

I recently became involved in a discussion on the topic of paying an editor to review writing prior to publication. It surprised me to read the remarks from one of the posters who was dead set against the idea of writers enlisting the services of a professional editor. This person had the idea that anyone who charges to editor a manuscript is exploiting writers. This line of thinking actually shocked me. What was even more shocking was when this poster indicated that any writer who is not good enough to be published without the benefit of a professional editor is not good enough to be published in the first place.

The question now is this: are professional editors taking advantage of authors when they charge them to edit manuscripts before they go to publication? Is it only authors who are contemplating self-publishing who should go to the expense of hiring a professional editor? In the mind of the poster I mentioned, this is indeed the case: only authors contemplating self-publishing need to bother with a professional editor.

Where is the mindset of the aforementioned poster? The biggest problem appears to be he/she feels that when you have a piece edited by a professional that person will take away from the voice and style of the original author. While this could certainly happen, the job of an editor is to help an author turn a manuscript that may not be salable into something that will make money for the author, publisher and agent. This need not involve changing the voice of the original author nor should it do so.

First time authors should certainly take the time to hire a professional editor if only to make sure their manuscript is as perfect as it can be before they send it to an agent or publisher. There is nothing worse than sending a manuscript full of errors to an agent or publisher; it is also the easiest way to find your hard work in the slush pile without a second glance. That doesn’t mean once you are published you can depend on your own self-editing skills. Remember, you are close to the writing, and you are likely to miss things. As writers, we tend to read what we intended to type rather than what we actually typed thus missing some errors.

The final answer to the question whether a writer should pay an editor depends on whether you are a hobby writer or a serious author looking for publication in the traditional market. Even if you aren’t looking for traditional publication now because you are writing something in the niche market that will not appeal to the average publisher, you want to make sure you don’t submit anything that is less than perfect because publishers communicate with each other. If you submit something that is full of errors you will not be well-received in the publishing industry the next time you are ready for publication.