It kinda haunts me that unless you've somehow heard it directly from the author, you don't actually know who's quit writing vs. who's spent years trying to sell again to no avail.
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I feel like I fall into both categories. I spent a few years trying to sell more novels and PBs, but between the rejections, the burnout, and the toxicity and inequities of the business, I decided I'd rather write poetry, even if it doesn't pay much or at all, and find work outside of publishing.
Thank you, Dahlia. That means a lot. I'm mainly writing for myself these days, but a few of my poems are making it into the world. It hasn't been easy going from nonstop book releases to a point where I haven't released a novel in years, but I have now found joy and peace outside of publishing.
I got an email from one reader who thought I died and I kind of just sat here like "no, there's a sweet spot in mental health when it comes to writing and I've veered out of that a little. Wait a little longer."
Aw, I think that's a great response. There's something nice to knowing someone's thinking about you and anxiously awaiting your next work, isn't there?
I published a wonderful LGBTQ author Harper Fox.
She vanished a couple of years ago after a stroke. I'd been trying to get in touch with her for a long time with no response. In March I finally got through to her partner. Harper is still with us, but the stroke did its damage. She's not writing.😥
On Twitter many years and different accounts ago I asked @craigclevenger.bsky.social what was up with his latest book and he sent a five tweet response thread explaining how he had been trying to sell it to no avail. Shame as Contortionist’s Handbook is top tier for me
It's shocking to me the caliber of already-published authors who still struggle to sell in the current market. That feeling when you know *you'd* buy their grocery list but an acquisitions editor won't buy anything is just the worst.
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She vanished a couple of years ago after a stroke. I'd been trying to get in touch with her for a long time with no response. In March I finally got through to her partner. Harper is still with us, but the stroke did its damage. She's not writing.😥