Saturation point

[Lily]

There are so many writers' sites and blogs today, it may have reached saturation point. Does anyone even check them out any more? Now I'm not suggesting that a writer shouldn't have a strong online presence, that's essential. But, the odds of being noticed seem to get slimmer and slimmer. It would take heaven knows what kind of book and promotion effort in order to rise above the crowd and be noticed.

While evening out the playing field for writers, the Internet has also created a glut of books, and made it that much more difficult to be successful. Of course, there's always that duality -- positive and negative -- in all situations.

[horseman]

I do see your point Lily. I feel like the pig that got to the trough too late.......he he

[Lily]

Amazon, etc. has got the traditional publishers on the ropes, so it makes it that much more difficult to try and go the traditional route. It never was easy, but now given the current state of the publishing industry, it's nigh near impossible. Yet I still hear chilling stories of those who do not know this, giving up the day job in order to write what they think will be a best selling traditionally published novel. OMG!!

Everybody and his brother thinks they can write today, since word processing programs have made the technical side of writing easier, and they have glutted the publishers/agents etc. with their rubbish. One hears of slush piles that will take 3 years to go through. Things just get harder and harder. Unless a writer is willing to brave years and years of rejection letters, the only sensible solution is to self publish, while your story is fresh and you still have the enthusiasm to market it.

[Richard]

I think the worst part of what the industry has evolved into is what you mentioned, quality.

I can literally publish a book for around $40. But, I will spend more than $1000 to do it myself. Why? Quality. I have people now content editing my latest before I will use professional editing services. And, I will only use them, if I get the book to the condition I want it. If not, I will place it on the shelf with some others until I can either get it there, or start something else.

Even if I don't put it on the market, that is okay. Why put something with my name on it if it isn't better than average? That would only be to satisfy my ego.

You can have a great idea, great story line, and write a terrible, or less than a good, book.

It's better to think of writing in terms of a hobby, or for self satisfaction, especially if you write novels. If you want to earn an income, then start with selling short stories, or pieces for paying blogs or web sites. Build a name, and go from there.