So... this is going to more a self-serving post. I've recently read through all of Dean Wesley Smith's posts on "Killing the Sacred Cows of Publishing," and there are a few I want to keep track of as I begin to make intentional strides toward getting myself started in this business (and yes, it is a business).
Overall, I found Smith's articles on the publishing to be thought-provoking and informative. His ideas certainly challenged long-held beliefs of my own and they have encouraged me to learn a variety of new things and to never stop learning, regardless of the subject.
A few of his thoughts appear, currently, to be a bit over-the-top. However, I am certainly not going to challenge him on what has worked for his career thus far.
More to the point, there are over a dozen articles that I found especially helpful and applicable to my situation and set of assumptions about the writing/publishing business. These are deep-rooted concepts that have guided me in my attempts thus far and seeing them challenged is painful, enlightening, encouraging, and all manner of other emotions in between. Thus, for my benefit (with the hope that some of these things might interest any of you as well), I am compiling them here in an order that makes sense to me.
Here we go:
Making Money Writing Fiction
The Myth: Can't Make Money in Fiction
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=607
The Myth: Only 300 Writers Make a Living
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=1121
The Publisher's Perspective
The Myth: New York Works as a Quality Filter
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=2251
The Myth: You Can Only Sell What's Hot
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=1793
The Myth: Follow the Rules to Get Published
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=956
The Act of Writing
The Myth: Writing is Hard
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=576
A Note: Speed
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=310
The Myth: Writers Don't Need to Practice
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=931
The Myth: Rewriting
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=329
A Note: Not Rewriting Does Not Mean Sloppy Writing
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=1826
The Myth: Researching Fiction
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=1053
The Career of Writing
The Myth: Rejections
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=1088
The Myth: Self Promotion
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=398
The Myth: Self-Publishing is a Bad Idea
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=2013
The Dangers of Agents
The Myth: Agents Can Help With Careers
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=816
The Myth: Agents Take Care of Your Money
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=909
A Note: Agents and Contracts
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=1213
A Note: Agent Agreements
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=740
And Finally
The Myth: "You Have It Made When..."
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=2525
I just want to say, once more, that I think the entire series is worth reading. These here are just the ones that stand out or really speak to me, personally, as a writer and a person. By all means, let my sample here interest you. But I hope that it encourages you to read the rest of the series if you have any interest at all in the writer's life, the business of publishing, or the potential livelihood of a loved one who may have chosen this profession. Mr. Smith here may not know everything, but he knows enough to paint a stark picture of what this career holds in store for those who seek it.
Until next time, then.
EDIT: 13 Feb 2011 -- I was poking around the "Writing Excuses" website earlier today, and I found an episode the guys did responding directly to Dean Wesley Smith's series of articles on agents. It's an excellent counterpoint to Smith's extremism. The comments, as well, are well-reasoned and insightful. Definitely worth a listen and a read if you're more interested in this ongoing debate about the worth of agents.
LINK: http://www.writingexcuses.com/2010/01/31/writing-excuses-4-4-agents-do-you-need-one/
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