Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Six years ago I wrote the following blog. I had to laugh when I reread it. What is the saying? “Everything that goes ’round, comes ’round.” I had to laugh listening to the comments I’ve heard lately from editors. One editor told me she “needs to buy.” And for fiction? Did you get the feeling from the ACFW that publishers were looking hard for great stories? Let me just let you read this “old” blog because everything old is new again. 🙂
Good news! We are going to reap the results of a pent-up buying demand on the part of publishers. They have been very conservative, very risk-averse for quite some time. Some publishers cut their lists a couple of years ago, causing an overstock of contracted books. All of that– cutting and overstock– is drawing to a close.
When I was in the toy industry, one retailer used to say, “You can’t sell from an empty shelf” each time she placed her hefty order. Wise words. Every business needs to have great product. We agents have attended a number of different meetings when publishing representatives offered variations of, “We’re going to publish fewer books but put more behind the books we do publish. Fewer books but bigger sales for those books.”
Yeah, right.
When we hear that, it takes everything we’ve got not to snicker. As if a publisher could predict which books would break out and only publish those “big” books. We all pride ourselves on our gut instincts but the only way to really identify a bestseller is to get the book out there and see what it does. In the old days, when I created a collection of dolls, I knew there would be A-level sellers, B-level sellers and C-level sellers. It didn’t matter how good the collection, you never got all As because people have to make choices. There’s only so much buzz. If I had nine editions of dolls, one would be an immediate sell-out– impossible to buy even on the secondary market– two more would be As, two or three would be Bs and the rest Cs. If, instead of nine dolls in a line, I said I would only make the three As, guess what I would get? One A, one B and one C. It’s just the nature of merchandising.
If my retailer friend were to advise publishers she would say, “You can’t sell from an empty catalog.”
So how is that good news? Publishers buying. Two important words. We’re seeing an uptick in publishers buying. My own 2010 book sales to publishers were up 23% over my already very ambitious goal. [2016 is not so bad either. Our fearless leader has almost doubled her year’s goal and it is only August!) This year is already looking to be strong for all of us at Books & Such. We keep saying the market is sluggish and we know that to be true at retail but we’re not seeing that with sales to publishers. They are buying.
If you are a writer with books to sell, this is a good thing. I’m hoping we’ll see publishers begin to add to their catalogs. The only way to discover more bestsellers is to develop a broader offering. The more gallons of milk in the tank, the more cream that will rise to the top, right?
So, that’s the end of my good news for this week. The demise of the publishing industry has been greatly exaggerated. And I think the chances of you becoming a published author have never been better.
Your turn: So what do you think? Do you think it’s time to roll up your sleeves and keep pursuing your dreams?
Great news, Wendy! I’m sure a lot of people in this community will be heartened and encouraged, and will indeed see the long nurturing of their dreams, hand in hand with God, begin to bear fruit.
* Not me, though. I’ve finally learned that I have the wrong message at the wrong time directed at the wrong audience, and I need to rethink what I’m doing. Reality’s uncomfortable, but it’s sure better than selling myself a fantasy. And every lesson presages a season of growth, if one takes it to heart.
Don’t be so sure Andrew. I think God gave you the right message at the right time, just directed at a specific audience. God isn’t much interested in best-sellers. He’s after right-sellers: the obedient writer and the open-hearted reader. His will be done!
Shirlee, thanks. You are, of course right about the Almighty. And I suspect you may be right about my work, having seen it through an eye less prejudiced than that of its creator. His will be done indeed…and thank you again, my friend.
Shirlee is definitely right about your work, Andrew.
Carol, thank you so much. A few hours previous to commenting I had taken a major personal indictment of not only my work but the principles by which I’ve tried to live, from an unexpected quarter, and it staggered me. Still does.
* I suppose there is a lesson here – don’t try to process and comment on a blog post when you’re still metaphorically trying to get off the floor.
That sounds like good news. It’s September in a couple of days and so I had better stick to my plan and get querying! Last edits done (just need typing up), query letter done and checked, synopsis done and checked,
agents selected.
Now I really start to get nervous!
Go forth boldly, and victory shall be yours. The bright and concise quality of your comments here would lead me to bet heavily on your success. See you at Barnes and Noble; your name will be on the cover of the book I shall be purchasing.
This is definitely encouraging news, Wendy. At ACFW last week, a number of my writer friends received requests and interest from editors. It was so exciting to see this. 🙂
*And as for rolling up my sleeves and continuing to pursue my dreams? I’m definitely ready and excited to do this. 🙂
Dream big, Jeanne, the Lord has His hand on your work. One need only read the lovely and gracious post that is currently up on your blog, on comparison, to see His grace combined with your talent. Write on! You’re an inspiration of faith and clarity.
Thank you for your words of encouragement, my friend!
I’m so with you, friend. 🙂
It’s wonderful to be walking this journey with you, Shelli!
Thanks for passing this on, Wendy. When I started this road to writing over a decade ago, one bit of advice kept coming up–keep your posterior in the chair, your fingers on the keys, and write. Persistence pays.
Whether publishers are buying only books by A-listers (and I agree with you, that’s not a valid strategy) or across the board, if you don’t have anything to sell because you believe the naysayers, you’re out in the cold. I’m glad you shared this.
Yes, my sleeves are rolled. I’ve been reading my MS (current WIP) out loud to a family member. Some chapters sound great, some embarrass me completely. This thought pressed me–throw it away, start over. But then the smarter side punched through and said–you make this great. My sleeves are rolled. 🙂 And I wonder if my favorite authors ever had those thoughts, before completing their MS. I’d be really encouraged if I knew they did. 🙂
You’ll make it great, Shelli, because you’ve a gift for listening with an open heart to the greatest of Co-Authors.
Andrew, my blog post this week gave me an idea for my 3rd novel. I’d been wondering about it. What to write about? At first I thought it might be my next blog post. Then, I thought how to weave a fraction of it into this current story, enhancing a few scenes, and leading up to my 3rd novel. I’m not 100% sure, but I’m definitely listening. 🙂
And Shelli, can you see His delighted Smile?
Yes, I can 🙂
Don’t give up, Shelli. You will make it great!
Thank you, Jackie! 🙂
I’m glad to read your post. I heard conflicting reports at ACFW and wasn’t sure what to think. Thanks for sharing, Wendy!
Thank you, thank you, Wendy, for sharing this good news with us. Amen to sleeve rolling and dream pursuing; I’m in. Congratulations to Janet for doubling her goal.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
My sleeves fell off over the summer, for a variety of reasons.
But hello, Fall…and kids in school…and getting home from vacation (eventually, one hopes)
Great news, Wendy, after a terrific conference. The Love Inspired editors definitely seemed eager to receive submissions, but that’s rather obvious on Twitter already. I’m sorry I didn’t see you there.
This is so encouraging, Wendy! I have several dear friends–gifted writers–who have been playing the waiting game for far too long.
That news is a beautiful cool wind in my sails! Thank you.
Elk Lake Publishing Inc is buying! All genres from kids to adults, romance to speculative, and most places in between. We’re also looking for nonfiction with a twist.
“So, that’s the end of my good news for this week.” You never know, God may give you a healthy dose of joy on Friday. 🙂
*Thank you for the encouragement, Wendy. I keep pursuing my dreams, even though I feel like a Roomba, banging into the wall sometimes.
If you hit a wall often enough, Sarah, it will fall down.
Thank you, Andrew! I probably should invest in a good helmet. 😉
I never needed one, Sarah, and as my wife would say, that explains a lot. (When I worked construction I did use the back of my head as a hammer to drive in wooden wedges, rather than downclimbing a lot of scaffolding. It was effective and I didn’t see that it would make much difference to my mental prowess.)
Such needed encouragement, Wendy– thank you for this dose of heart-bolstering! Grateful for you!
Wow, Wendy, what an encouraging post! I do hope this is true that the Christian publishing industry is buying more. At the ACFW conference, I still heard from several editors that their slots are mostly full so they’re being very selective about taking on any new authors. An agent also still said that the publishers at the conference aren’t buying books with strong Christian elements right now. But it sounds like there are two sides to this story, so I feel greatly encouraged by your take on this! Thank you!
Thanks for the kick in the pants. I started a summer project to get my character voices right and consistent – then my dad had a stroke. I spent the summer caring for him. He passed away and now I am back staring at my screen, wondering if I really am a writer.
I have a good book. A good story. Good characters. A beta group of 6th graders raved. The adults who read it raved. Yet I slog in the mire of getting noticed and the fear of not having what it takes if I ever do get noticed….just one of those days I guess.
Anyway, Wendy, got to go now and open that file. By the end of the day my work will be a little better and I will be closer to querying again. Thanks!
Sheila, my prayers are with you. Grieving is a season that can’t be rushed, but you will know at its end that you ARE a writer, and that allowing yourself to live the pain will make your writing better and deeper.
Sheila, I’m so sorry. Praying for you right now.
Dear Sheila,
My heart goes out to you at the loss of your father. Please accept deep condolences from a fellow writer and caregiver. You will cherish these last months with your dad, as heartbreaking as they have been. Don’t think of Wendy’s post a kick in the pants, that implies you were neglecting something. You weren’t. There is a time for everything. God was with you through the summer and He will now be with you as you refocus on your writing. Remember it is His timing that is perfect. I am praying for you this evening. Blessings to you.
Hello. This is very encouraging. Thank you for sharing. Now, back to the keyboard.
Music to my ears. So good to hear something besides discouraging news. Thank you, Wendy
This is good news and seems to coincide with what I heard at ACFW. I’m sorry we didn’t get to meet there as well. I know the market wants great stories for teens, too, and would love to see an upsurge from a variety of publishers for this as well.