Sue Grafton thinks I’m lazy
From author Hugh Howey:
Sue Grafton thinks I’m lazy. Yeah. Hard to swallow when I look at how many hours I pour into my writing career each week (and weekend).
[PG Note: See the prior post on Grafton if you're not familiar with her thoughts.]
. . . .
Why in the world is this interviewer asking a buggy whip expert about picking out a new car? What does Sue Grafton know about publishing in today’s market and with today’s tools? Judging by this response, she knows absolutely nothing. Less than nothing, in fact. What she thinks she knows is harmful to aspiring writers.
This is something I’ve seen elsewhere: people with decades of outdated publishing experience who don’t realize that their knowledge makes them a poor source for writing advice. The world has changed, people.
. . . .
Sue thinks being one of the 1% of the 1% is the way to go. I say, if you’re going to win the lottery, why not do it in the state of Self-Pub where you keep 70% of the take instead of 15%?
. . . .
The midlister on the traditional trajectory is the one with a $5,000 advance, a spine-out book in a brick and mortar store that fewer and fewer people frequent, and then an out of print book they can’t get the rights back to. No thanks.
I have friends who aren’t even at mid-list status with their indie books and they are doing better than this. Over the lifetime of their book (which is now forever), they stand to make a lot more than that advance. And rather than suffer the lengthy process of querying, rejection, querying, acceptance, pitching, rejection, pitching, publishing, rejection — all of which can take three or more years from that first query to being returned to the publisher — they can go straight to the source.
. . . .
There is no better way to break into traditional publishing than self publishing. Period. End of story. Hell, write fan fiction. Another piece of Twilight fan-fic just got a seven-figure advance on the heels of the success of 50 Shades of Grey. Does this mean it’s the new norm? No. But it does mean that publishers no longer care how you sell books. They don’t care if you self-publish. They don’t even care if you write porn based on YA vampire novels. They just want to give readers whatever the hell they want! And readers don’t want query letters. They don’t want books in slush piles. They want good stories, decently edited, available right now, and as cheap as you please.
Link to the rest at Hugh Howey and thanks to Bridget for the tip.
, Amazon will pay Passive Guy a small affiliate commission on any of your purchases.
It’s totally worth following the link just to see his four favorite Sue Grafton books. Highly recommended. The article’s great, too.
I picked up Hugh’s Wool Omnibus and read it on a recent vacation. There’s nothing lazy about him or his writing. He provides the kind of creative storytelling that the big publishers fear to touch. I would hate to have read his work after some editor forced him to add in some sensitive vampires or product placements…
I have nothing against vampire stories but it seems like the big firms are sifting their slushpiles to find only the stories that fit the latest craze.
Writers like Hugh do the stories that they would want to read, and they work damn hard at it.
That was a great post by him! I agree with everything he said. I will have to check out his work. He sounds like a real good story teller.
I like this Howey fella. I may read “Wool” next.
Edited to add: I posted this before I saw his fave Grafton novels. Now he’s epic. That also needs to become a banner.
Wool is excellent.
I like his writing, but I unsubscribed from him on Facebook because he kept making affronted comments about Sue Grafton–and then his wife was chiming in the comments section with more affronted comments. Dude, we got it the first time. Besides, it’s not like she mentioned you personally.
I’ve never read anything Sue Grafton, but one post is enough.
Also, I think it’s pretty clear that Grafton is using self-published to mean vanity publishing, and that’s why she started talking about charlatans, etc.
Like I said, I don’t have a horse in this race, but I don’t think she is up to date on the latest technology. She is probably older and just hands off her novels to her publisher and doesn’t worry about learning about what those crazy ebooks are.
Who were the “wannabes” in her original tirade?
And what about when she said:
“I compare self-publishing to a student managing to conquer Five Easy Pieces on the piano and then wondering if s/he’s ready to be booked into Carnegie Hall. Don’t get me started.”
She is making fun of the do-it-yourselfer’s ability, not the publication method they use. There is no mention of vanity presses or charlatans. Just snide remarks about those of us who pour in all the same time and energy as she, but can’t abide by the punishing contracts and paltry royalties handed out by the true vanity publishers: the big houses.
I don’t enjoy kicking this dead horse, but some people still think it’s a unicorn.
Obviously, we interpret it differently, and there’s no telling who is right. I think the horse is as dead as it gets now, but I guess this is your windmill. I liked Wool,but your blog was getting too dramatic and affronted.
Understood.
And you should’ve seen my blog when no one was reading it! I was even more insufferable back then.
“They want good stories, decently edited, available right now, and as cheap as you please.”
P.G.
Well, Mr Howey knoweth his onions, eh?
I once purchased an audible book by Ms Grafton, it was hideous beyond words. One of the very few audio books I have paid for, and NOT completed.
brendan
Wow. Powerful. Now I have to go read his book.
We can’t expect a long-time bestseller to understand where we are coming from.
She experienced a completely different world.
Twenty years ago, when she started publishing, she would have been exactly right.
Look at how fast things have changed! How can you expect someone who doesn’t HAVE to know this stuff spend the time to learn it?
It’s taken me 4 years to learn what I know. 4 years of intensive study. There is no reason for anyone with Grafton’s publishing numbers to scramble around the interwebz, gleaning this information.
True, but the corollary is that there’s also no reason for her to open her yapper about it.
The venom with which she did it was a bonus.
I was not even familiar with Sue Grafton before this interview hit the intertubes. All I can say is, who cares what Sue Grafton thinks?
On the other hand, I’m going to put words in SG’s mouth and say she might have half a point. IF she means, “don’t self publish UNTIL you’ve done more than one draft, had it edited and critiqued by some writers you trust…” then I might agree. If she’s howling against self-pubbers who toss up a shoddy first draft on amazon and see what happens, then yeah, please do a little more work for the readers’ sake.
She’s vehemently against self-pubbers, period:
“Red Tash: Do you have any words of wisdom for young writers?
Sue Grafton: Quit worrying about publication and master your craft. If you have a good story to tell and if you write it well, the Universe will come to your aid. Don’t self-publish. That’s as good as admitting you’re too lazy to do the hard work.
RT: In light of our Louisville neighbor John Locke’s blockbuster indie sales, and the growing percentage of each best-seller list being filled out by “indie” writers, do you still feel that advice is solid? I know it was the standard advice a few years ago, but is it still good advice? If so, what hard work are indie success stories too lazy to complete? Is it possible that indie publishing is more effective than querying agents & publishers, for the new writer? More and more agents and publishers seem to be treating indie books as the new slush pile.
SG: Good questions. Obviously, I’m not talking about the rare few writers who manage to break out. The indie success stories aren’t the rule. They’re the exception. The self-published books I’ve read are often amateurish. I’ve got one sitting on my desk right now and I’ve received hundreds of them over the years. Sorry about that, but it’s the truth. The hard work is taking the rejection, learning the lessons, and mastering the craft over a period of time. I see way too many writers who complete one novel and start looking for the fame and fortune they’re sure they’re entitled to. To me, it seems disrespectful…that a ‘wannabe’ assumes it’s all so easy s/he can put out a ‘published novel’ without bothering to read, study, or do the research. Learning to construct a narrative and create character, learning to balance pace, description, exposition, and dialogue takes a long time. This is not an quick do-it-yourself home project. Self-publishing is a short cut and I don’t believe in short cuts when it comes to the arts. I compare self-publishing to a student managing to conquer Five Easy Pieces on the piano and then wondering if s/he’s ready to be booked into Carnegie Hall. Don’t get me started. Oops..you already did.”
Ah. I see.
Love the comment “the universe will come to your aid.” Really? How exactly will the universe do that? Reminds me of my grandfather’s saying, “crap in one hand and wish in the other and see what hand fills up first.”
And that writers who finish one book and look for fame and fortune are “disrespectful.” Disrespectful to whom? To her?
OT, but, does anyone know what the market is for humor books. Is this even considered a genre or a sub-genre? Are there any blogs or sites that review/promote humorous fiction?
Less OT: can someone please explain what fanfic is?
More to the point re: humor categories. I have a dark comedy/mystery/satire MS that my agent has no idea how to categorize, and therefore doesn’t want to try selling. I’m not sure what category and sub-category it would be, and whether that even matters if I’m self-pubbing. I assume it does because I do want to target readers. I guess the closest would be works by Maxx Barry or “The Ax” by Donald E. Westlake. Any tips would help.
When you send it to an agent, or publish it on Amazon, you need to categorize it. And if you’re not sure, have someone read it and tell you where it goes. Most books contain elements of other genres. But there is usually one genre that stands out. In the case above, just judging by what you’ve said, my bet is it is a mystery. If there is a mystery, and it is about solving it, and the climax is the resolution of a mystery, then it is a mystery, no matter what other elements might be present. But that’s just a guess based on what you wrote. You may want to google “how to categorize a book” and see if you can find any helpful guides.
And fanfic is fiction written by fans of a particular world. Like fans of Harry Potter might write stories in the Harry Potter world. Usually you can’t sell those due to copyright, but I knew a few writers who do it in part because they love those worlds, and in part because they want the practice, and in part because they get a lot of feedback and encouragement they don’t get on their original fiction.
Yeah I think that’s right; its bones are a mystery – solving an act of terrorism that happens early – but I’m concerned that most mysteries are so serious (okay Elmore Leonard is one exception) that those who look for a traditional mystery in that genre will be disappointed by all the satire.
Most of the major ebook sellers allow you to assign your book a primary and a secondary category. I’m in a similar position to you (though with a different primary genre), so I classified my filthy screed as Fiction > Fantasy > Epic (primary) and Fiction > Humorous (secondary). You might want to try something similar.
You can also tag it — which may or may not help with categorization, but will at least offer a warning to the keen-eyed buyer. (E.g., “fantasy romance” and “mature content” will hopefully imply that there might be bedroom scenes…)
Grafton is an uninformed idiot, but it’s not fair for him to put down the interviewer, Leslea Tash, who is an indie author herself, and got in some subtle digs by bringing up successful indie authors. When a writer is wearing a journalist’s hat, especially when she’s working on assignment, she can’t editorialize. But I thought Tash did a rather good job of letting Grafton’s idiocy speak for itself. The popularity of the article shows the journalist’s skill. Putting her down because of what she reported is like putting the blame for a war or a hurricane on the journalists who report it.
“When a writer is wearing a journalist’s hat…she can’t editorialize”
Really? Journalists can’t and don’t editorialize?
Which alien planet’s news media do you watch/read/listen to?
Journalists can editorialize all they want, as long as they hew to the editorial slant of their employer. Writers (as distinct from journalists) aren’t members of the union and don’t know the secret handshake; so they are still supposed to abide by the rules that, among the real (so-called) pros, are more honour’d in the breach.
I definitely felt the impulse, and in the follow up post, I shared a bit more of my own feelings, because, hey–it’s a blog. It’s not the Courier-Journal. By then I felt I’d earned it and the post would have come off less genuine without a little more intro on my behalf.
I used to be an opinion columnist, so for better or for worse, I guess I got in the habit of believing that people actually do enjoy hearing my take on things.
Regardless, it’s over now, and what a great conversation starter it was for authors across the trad pub/indie pub divide. If Sue Grafton can step up to the plate and say “I had no idea this was possible” and encourage us to keep at it, that’s a great sign…in my opinion!
Agreed. I screwed up.
On what?
On not giving the interviewer full credit for a fantastic piece of journalism. She smelled blood and pressed the point. I was seeing red from the replies and not giving the questioner credit. I apologize.
Oh, yeah, I thought Red did a great job.
“Less OT: can someone please explain what fanfic is?”
Larry,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_fiction
The biggest site is probably this.
http://www.fanfiction.net/
Its VERY big, indeed.
brendan
Ms. Grafton and I had several emails back and forth on this topic. She had me post a clarification on her behalf today. I hope you will give it a read:
http://louisvilleky.com/2012/08/more-from-sue-grafton-on-publishing-indie-writers/
A gracious reply, I thought. Her humility is evident. I’m glad you posted that reply and your own comments. Only makes me wish I was a local author in your area.
Louisville is a terrific place to be a writer, that’s for sure. Lots going on here. Thanks for your comment.
Good clarification on her part. I wish more trad published writers would start from this place: I don’t know all aspects of indie publishing, but no matter what you’re tying to do, keep writing, beware of the pitfalls, learn and prosper…
There’s nothing wrong with the path Grafton took, but I suspect many independents have no desire to follow it. They would love to have her sales success, but simply aren’t interested in much else that she did. I suppose one might interpret that as disrespect.
I’ve spent 40 years writing non-fiction while learning my craft and perfecting my novel. It remains to be seen how well I have learned. It is due out this month. Not only have I had to write it professionally, now I’ve had to format it myself, yet spend a chunk on a professional cover. I have taken courses in self-publishing at Clemson, learned WORD 2010, and attended an online self-publishing conference. I have invested time and money into getting it right. I am glad I did not know going in how much work was involved. Sue Grafton can kiss my ass.
If Ms. Grafton’s words had the effect of convincing novice writers not to look for scams that promise the moon for only $3,999, then yes. If they encourage some writers to avoid getting pumped when they finish their first novel and slamming it up on KDP or the like, then yes, too. Steering younger writers into the non-scam, do-your-due-diligence ways to publish is part of the debt we older ones owe the next generation.
Granted, Ms. G doesn’t know as much about this as some of us do. But she has a respected voice I believe, and if her words route some of the beginners into better ways of thinking, it’s worth the cluelessness.
My take.
I appreciate this thoughtful post, but as happens too often in the trad/indie pub debate, the question becomes polarized (as debate so often tends to in our country).
I believe that both Sue Grafton and you speak the truth. Yes, indie publishing is the right path for many writers, perhaps especially the mid-listers you mention. Yes, too many writers are falling prey to the speed and ease indie publishing offers, and publishing before they are ready. Both can be true–and are, in my opinion.
Bookstores are actually experiencing a resurgence, especially the independents, over the last two years, so one of the things I urge new writers to think about is their own relationship to the physical book and the experience of bookstore shopping. If it’s a strong one, then the traditional model still promises distribution in many if not all bookstores nationwide–and they actually number roughly 12:1 compared to McDonalds. So as ubiquitous as your Big Mac is, you can find a bookstore for every dozen out there. Not a bad ratio.
If however you read on a Kindle, frequent the Amazon forums, and have a backlist built up already, you may be better off self-publishing.
There is loads of nuance here, and issues changing every day. I don’t think it’s a simple question of horse and buggies versus cars–in fact, studies show print sales holding steady despite the infiltration of e books.
If a writer can learn and educate him/herself about all of these issues, then s/he can make a wise decision, and the right one for him or her.
Lesson learned:
When I’m rich, famous, and have a zillion books published (e or otherwise), I’m going to keep my opinions to myself. Of course, there’s no fun in that, but seriously, when writers get defensive and fire up their word machines, they’re a damned scary bunch.
Fiona, being older is no excuse for being an elitist snob. I am “older” — and believe me, Ms Grafton got my dander up like nobody else has in a long time, except for maybe my husband. I cannot stomach her books, but that is beside the point, which is: Many of us indies know the difference between scum and cream. Both rise to the top.
It hurts me to see young writers looking like fools because they don’t bother to learn the craft or the rules. But it bothers me more to have old-timers like Grafton be so completely separated from the real world. Maybe the rarified air is toxic. I wouldn’t know. But I do know this: I owe Ms Grafton a debt of gratitude for showing me I’m not nearly the forgiving person I thought I was. Her attempt at an apology just ticked me off again. I will have to work on this. This is not like me, but I have discovered I care more about our community of indie writers than I knew. I am traditionally published three times, all disappointing experiences. But through learning about pod and ebooks, I have met some fantastic writers, wise and wonderful with plenty to say. They could teach Ms Grafton a thing or two.
Admittedly, I haven’t read the entire Sue Grafton interview, only the snippets people have posted above, but I’ve seen enough to know some of what Sue says is true, but I believe the conclusions she draws are way off.
The true bits:
Many (not all) self-published authors don’t have the patience to hone their craft before hitting that ‘publish’ button. Perhaps the equivalent to Microsoft putting out software and then letting paying customers beta test it for them.
Many of those have read Konrath’s blog and assumed all they needed to do was put words down on a page, get a nice cover, a snazzy blurb and then head to Home Depot to buy a rake for all that cash that would surely be coming their way.
My guess is that for authors like Sue Grafton, it must be infuriating when self-published authors sail into the best-seller ranks without paying their dues. And perhaps even more frustrating for doing it with books that to her are sub par. Sort of the same rant we all heard from musicians after American Idol contestants would fast track a career that took many artists years of grueling work.
The false bits:
Self-published authors are some of the hardest working people I know. Most of us work 6-7 days a week from dusk till dawn or later. Kinda hard to call someone like that lazy. I think if she’d accused self-published authors of being impatient I might have agreed. Hugh Howey and many others say it best. Write, write, write. Then when you’re done writing, edit, edit, edit. Don’t give the haters and detractors the ammunition they so desperately crave.
I agree with this totally.