At Books & Such, we love all types of writers. But today, I’d like to tell you about two specific types. Each one has its pros and cons.
The first is The Flexible Writer.
The Flexible Writer is the writer we can go to when opportunity knocks. If an editor contacts us with a request or if they are looking for a certain type of project, we know we can go to The Flexible Writer and he/she will be able to do the job well and get it done on time. The Flexible Writer can often take on work-for-hire projects and/or collaborations in addition to their own writing.
The big concern with The Flexible Writer is that he/she might fall into the unbranded trap. Sales figures and even reputation can be hurt by this. Publishing houses might refuse to work with The Flexible Writer if he/she is stretched in too many directions. And The Flexible Writer can hurt sales by marketing too many completely different projects to one audience.
The second type of writer is The Focused Writer.
The Focused Writer knows what he/she writes. He/She will always write in a single genre and does very well with it. This type of writer is very branded and can easily market to his/her audience because the audience is following the writer because they are interested in a specific type of book. Everything should be smooth sailing for this type of author, except for the fact that…
Genre interest waxes and wanes.
The Focused Writer could be in trouble if the interest for his/her genre disappears for a time. A lot in publishing tends to be cyclical, so the interest in the genre most likely will return, but no one knows how long it could take.
I have both flexible and focused writers as clients, and I am very happy to represent both types. I love ’em!
Do you see yourself as one of these types? Or are you a mix of the two or something completely different?
Dear Abby…Is it Silly to Dream of Traditional Publishing?
Ha ha, I’m a bit of both.
I am a naturally focused writer who has been forced to be flexible over the years and has discovered that I can indeed write all sorts of things and now must decide what exactly it is I love best.
Dogs!
That’s it, I love the doggo stories!
In a wide variety of genres, ha.
Any topic that you care to bring
I can turn right into sonnetry,
and that is cool, but here’s the thing,
the world’s not into poetry.
And thus I have a focused brand
that flexible unto the core,
and I do quite understand
that I’ll quickly be shown the door
by any agent or pub house
if I look for publication;
still, I have no call to grouse,
for I’ve built a reputation
which transcends the laurels not won,
that I do all this because it’s FUN!