Debut novel - Spin-off thread from "Political issues in fantasy"

[Susan Boulton]

Exactly!


I respectfully disagree. No amount of good writing will make you popular. The average literary novel sells less than 10,000 copies.

Ask a professional writer if they would choose a) a Pulitzer Prize, or b) to be on the shelf at WalMart. Guess what they always choose.

Do you know the discount a publisher has to give places like Walmart, Tesco, ASDA etc, it is horrendous, and the writer's % will drop accordingly. Besides, places like Walmart are only interested in books that have been, or are in the best seller lists (say in hardback, and Walmart will stock the paperback) A celeb's "book", or the new book by a bestseller i.e. Dan Brown. They are after moving numbers, not providing choice.

Ok, the original sales of a Pulitzer Prize winner, or any book that makes the short list might not be large in the beginning. (Though a large number of writers I know will not turn their noses up at sales topping 10,000. In fact a bit of research into sale figures might not go amiss here). But once the short list is announced, then the prize is given, the publishers go into high gear on the selling front. Sales worldwide can, and do, go through the roof.

On a side note; which professional writer told you that? Most I know are delighted to get onto the short list of awards for their genre, it does help sales, and build up their public profile

 

[LloB1]

Hi. I'd rather sell 10,000 then get a prize. To know your work has affected many, than a few suits mulling over every syntax would feel more rewarding - however an award would feel good too. As for yahzi i'd like you to read my novel in its entirety and then make up your mind - i promise you'd find something in the story worth contemplating. I sense you mean well.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I don't think Pulitizer prizes are awarded for syntax. No more than they are awarded for proper spelling, punctuation, etc. These things are pretty basic. Without them, the reading process becomes so labored, it's difficult for anyone to read far enough to be affected.

And anyone who is passionate about their writing, should care enough to make it the best that they can possibly make it before sending it out into the world. Among other things, this means not letting basic errors dilute it of any power it might otherwise have.

For many readers, careless writing (bad syntax, misused words, improper punctuation) is a signal that sloppy plotting and sloppy characterization lie ahead. If the writer is so careless with the little things, how much time and effort is he or she likely to put into all the more difficult questions of motivation, narrative structure, etc? It's like a huge stop sign not to read any further. It's like a billboard that says, "I am more committed to the idea of being a writer than I am to the actual writing."

No amount of self-promotion or bragging about a book can overcome that kind of impression.

 

[Yahzi]

On a side note; which professional writer told you that?

I was being a little facetious.

But not completely.

 

[LloB1]

Why take a look at the official website for the debut novel 'The fight for Naturah' by myself Lloyd Blake hasnt been up too long. Thanks
www.lloydblake.viviti.com