Whose Readers?
About eight years ago, an editor-friend of mine rejected a writer-friend of mine with an unusual comment. "I really like your writing. However, your writing is very much like Writer X, and since I already signed Writer X and am developing Writer X, it makes no sense for me to sign someone with so similar a voice."
In hindsight, it made sense. In fact, Writer X is now very successful, and I think her voice is pretty unique. At the time, she was not that well-known, and so this other writer would have had no idea she could be compared to said up-and-coming Writer X.
But I have recalled this situation, this particular rejection, at different times over the years on this blog and upon reading manuscripts for contests or for editing. Whose readers would you steal?
Now, first, I need to be clear. In fact, I don't think the Universe operates that way--I don't think that the reader of John Grisham, say, only will read a set amount of books per year and in order for YOU to be successful, you would necessarily have to steal some of them. I think there is room enough for many people to be successful. By the same token, I also think that most of us write commercial fiction (at least most writers who read this blog) or aspire to a genre or particular line. Therefore the readers of those genres and books have expectations. Legal thriller? Well, you had better be "as good as" Scott Turow, say, or fill-in-the-blank, because consciously or not, readers will compare. Get published, and REVIEWERS will compare. Pale in comparison . . . and people notice. You PALE in comparison.
Are best-selling authors lucky? To a degree, most definitely. But they also (most of the time) deliver to their readers what the readers want. And I think when writers are rejected, there is an element of perhaps being good . . . but just not good enough.
If I already read thrillers by Writer X, I am open to trying a new thriller writer, but not if compared to the thrillers I already love, these new ones are "just okay."
Thoughts? Whose readers do you think you share? And do you deliver the goods?
24 comments:
I am not published so right now I don't share anyone's readers. But if I concentrate on comparing myself to the best in the field I may eventually defeat myself and my talent.
Agatha Christie has been in m hands since I was nine. I would have missed a world of wonderful reading if she were all I read. Readers are meant to be shared otherwise there would be very little need for authors.
Maribeth:
Like I said . . . I really don't think readers operate that way. I do think, though, when trying to break in or make a sale . . . we're aware of other writers who are already doing what we're doing and doing it well.
E
I don't want to steal anyone's readers, but, Mr. Patterson, if I could just borrow a couple of million of yours...
I believe I would share readers with John Green, and one day, Lois Lowry. With that said, there is no way I fill those shoes, holy crap!!! I can only hope to be half as great one day and if I am, I am convinced I'll be successful.
There's an interesting section in Bag of Bones, where the narrator, Michael Noonan (I recently re-read the book) is having a conversation with his agent. Noonan is a quite successful novelist of the young-woman-in-peril type of thrillers. His agent's telling him about the upcoming schedule, those other names that will compete with him for the top slots on the bestsellers lists. He's throwing out names like Dean Koontz and Harold Robbins ("who cares?" says Mike), and Jean Auel with her latest sex-among-the-cave-people epic. Mike's not terribly interested, noting that none of those people play on the same tennis court as he does.
Then his agent tells him that Mary Higgins Clark is coming out with a new book, an extra one, and it looks like it's going to conflict with him. And he gets a bit stressed, noting that he and MHC both play on the same tennis court and have exactly the same readers. He also points out that if he went head to head with MHC she'd clean his clock.
I sometimes think that's what editors are worried about. You have to bring something a little bit different to your writing. I have a pretty good idea who my "competitors" are (and my fingers are making little quote marks there, because really, at this stage of the game there's no competition) for the Derek Stillwater novels, and although I think I have my own slant and voice, I can see how some publishers might just say, "Well, we're already publishing Vince Flynn and Brad Thor..."
Jude:
LOL! Yes, a few million would be nice.
Jonathon:
I love Lois Lowry's books! She spoke in Richmond a year or so ago. I couldn't attend, but I heard she was MARVELOUS!
Mark:
You precisely got this post. I agree . . . "competition" or even "stealing readers" isn't quite right. But you have got to bring something new to the game.
Are best selling writers lucky? To answer that question in a way you didn't mean it, not necessarily. Recently I read a bestselling writer who said something like, "I love writing but I don't love being famous."
Some people find notoriety a burden. J.D. Salinger, for example.
I can't think of any greater burden than to love to write, to want to have your writing read (maybe even to need to have it read to be motivated to do it at all), but to be, basically, a reclusive person.
Is there luck involved in writing a bestseller? Maybe at least timing. But for some writers, maybe there is a curse in it too.
Joe:
I definitely wasn't going in that direction, but I totally agree with you. My first novel was about a recluse who was a famous novelist (a la Salinger) and how his fame ruined his life . . . people thought he was wise, and they sought to "understand" him and his work, and he just wanted to be left alone. In Spanish Disco, it was a huge burden on him.
You've given me another book to read. I'll look up Spanish Disco.
Not knowing that much about the business, I think I get what you're saying about the agent developing Writer X and why he's unable to sign an author with a similar voice. The agent, let's call him Agent F, is maybe trying to make a successful sale, and if he's bringing similar product to the same publisher, said pub might eventually shut out Agent F (?).
But, on the other hand, if I only read the same author because I LOVE his/her voice, some day I might be let down by said author because sooner or later he/she will write a dog, and now I'm gonna have to visit a new pound...I mean pond. :)
Re: readers I'm gonna steal/share, I don't know. Hopefully ones with discerning tastes.
I'm not actually certain, since I'm working on a future thriller with two gay guys as protagonists. Who in God's name is going to read that?? LOL.
But I wrote an epic fantasy called HINTERLAND a few years back. Had decent reception from agents, but no takers. (Story of my life.) One of my critters (a harsh one, actually) is an epic fantasy devourer and he claims my book fits right in and contains the elements (cliches) that make epic fantasies so popular with its loyal readership. One book he gave me I actually RECYCLED so as not to inflict it on anyone else. He only got 50 pages in, I made it to about 150, trying hard. So that's frustrating. I think that book would suit a pretty good-sized readership, but dang it, it can't make it past the transom of agents who only want TWILIGHT knock-offs and kick-ass urban fic with chicks as protags.
Wow, I don't usually bitch like that. Thx for letting me air it out. :)
I got that exact same rejection from an agent - and I had to agree, my work was similar to his clients - but he said for me to keep trying as he was certain I would get picked up.
Well, didn't happen but maybe the next one will be the winner.
Interesting question.
During the past few months it seems that I have regressed back into my childhood years both mentally and creatively...alas, those grey hairs confirm NOT physically...
Possibly, I would share my reader/age with those Peter Pan-like personalities who indulge in Micky Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck comics....this is on a good day...on a bad day....I share those who read/enjoy the graffiti on the insides of public toilets. SHIT!
How was your weekend Erica? Did everything go as planned? What about those damned aches and pains?
Starbucks: Patricia Cornwell. Lucy is lesbian. If the men aren't too touchy feely and it's entertaining then men will read it. I know Will and Grace had a wide following.
True, Richmond. I actually don't worry about it too much and there's I think one kiss in the whole book. They're manly men, too, fightin and killin and stuff. :)
It's not something I worry about too much but I like to joke about it...
I can finally join blog conversations again now that my horrendous semester is nearly over!
Interesting question because I don't think this is about stealing readers but making new fans. I mean a reader is always looking for more books they love, right?
Kath:
In an editor's case, if they are building their list, it makes no sense to have two writers with identical kinds of voices or books, or heroines.
Starbucks:
Vent anytime. :-)
Nadine:
Interesting . . . and yeah, I think agents can tell when you're "close." When Spanish Disco was making the rounds, three editors all said they were positive I would get a deal--but the character was too edgy for them.
Hi Ann Marie:
Ah, sweet youth.
Doing OK . . . thanks for asking.
xoxo
E
ello:
Definitely! As I said, I don't the universe operates on "I'm taking them away from so-and-so." Maybe the better phrasing is "whose do you SHARE?" :-)
Oops! I thought you were talking about agents. :)
Regarding it not making sense for an EDITOR building their list not to have writers with the same voice, I've seen romance novels wherein the authors' voices all sound alike with similar plots. Just sayin'... Maybe those each have different editors?
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