Sure I write for joy. But I want to get published too, and not just for the money (though I'd really like some money if I could get it.) Published, especially in non-fiction gets more readers. Also it gets your ideas listened to even by people who don't read what you say. I have been published in short form - my blog posts on Grist are edited, my articles in Z and other short magazines some of whom even pay. But I would like to be read by more people, and a book published by a respectable publisher gets read and reviewed and paid more attention to than something self-published, or published in a small magazine.

I think I'd feel the same even if my goal was fiction. Past a certain point part of the joy of writing is readers. Heard melodies are sweeter.

I write all the time, I can't not. Most of it is tripe, and it never reaches the stage of being published or even posted anywhere anyone could read it.

Yes, it makes me happy when someone likes the way I say something, here on b.org, on LJ, in a long and newsy email, as well as in a poem, or a bit of short fiction. But if I never got that much validation*, I'd still write. I'd explode if I didn't. I'm a writer in my own eyes, and some days, that's enough.

*maybe I need to rethink that writer thing, what with correct word useage and all

I wrote for years in journals long before anyone read anything I wrote. I don't think I'd ever stop writing. But getting published at this point is a goal.

Gar, like I said -- go for it! I have no quibble with anyone aiming for publication. Hell, I'm hoping (like hell) to sell another book (or more!). I just don't want anyone to have unrealistic expectations.

::gropes Barb back::

I'm sorry I was rude. But maybe you do go into publishing correspondence and stuff wearing certain expectancies on your sleeve, Susan. Maybe it sets other people off, too. Maybe that was the thought I was aiming for without all the harsh and profanity. And I do think your work is interesting, even. I've liked it,when I've seen it.

Thank you, erika. I'll certainly think about how I'm presenting myself within the industry.

I will say, too, that one of the most frustrating things about publishing (among other extremely frustrating things) is to go to conferences or read interviews with editors and hear them say, "We're looking for different! We're looking for out of the box! We're really tired of XYZ!" And then when they mention what they're looking for, you think to yourself, "Yes, I have something like that!"

And you submit it, and you maybe get the request for the full, and they ultimately reject it as being "not quite what they want," and in the meantime, they've just bought six manuscripts that are XYZ that they claimed to be really tired of seeing-- that they didn't want to buy anymore of.

It's a hellacious mind game and enough to send most sane people running for the hills.

That's why I never, ever claim that I'm sane. *g*

And there's sometimes more to it than you're told. Like, Editor took it to a meeting, and Other Editors (or Publisher) didn't support it. Sometimes it's easiest to pull out the most banal excuse ("it's not quite what I want") to reject something that you really do want, you know? And it's not always a blessing to tell the writer, "Hey, I fought for this! And got shot down six ways to Sunday because everyone else is a pussy!"

The other thing is that editors do want something different. But they want it to be just enough like XYZ that they already publish that a) the editorial board won't shoot it down, and b) readers expecting XYZ won't think, "WTF?!"

Just got back from Deb's book signing that went smashingly well!

She's much better at the thing where you talk and tell funny stories than I am. Maybe it will be better if I ever sell Sam.

Allyson, I have a downloaded clip of you on Sally that I listened to just the other day. In your place I'm afraid I'd have both done and said something unbearably rude. But you were gracious and funny and warm, even when your hostess was being clueless, rude, and strident.

I don't think you're going to have a problem being charming at book signings. People will come because they've read the books, they know your "voice" from the page, and they want to actually hear it for themselves, and to tell you how you affected their lives. You are charming, you are witty, you are funny.

And you're pretty and have faaaabulous hair!

What. Beverly. Said.