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Apr 16, 2004 A recent bookstore visit--I won't name which one or for what purpose I was there--has shown me one truth that is swimming out amidst the literary world, but one that is inconspicuous in nature. For this I will not blame the bookstores for thier lust for the almighty dollar, but I will place the blame on most of the big New York publishing giants, those tyrants who seem to control every species of literature known to man. If by now, you have not narrowed down what I'm speaking of to any place west of Iraq, please stop reading now. Your patience, however, is to be thanked. Most writers set out with one dream: to be the best they can at what they do. This, of course, does not go to say that these writers' books belong in bookstores. What goes into writing-- believe me, I know this from first hand experience--is a lot of hard work, a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, and a lot of heart. Regrettably, some of us are better than others at this task. Writing is a written form or art, and expression best told using common words in unusual ways. Both concrete and synthetic, all stories are different, and all stories are written for one purpose or another. Perhaps this purpose is not for placement in a bookstore, but by all means, if the work is genuine and well-rounded, place it on the shelves. Let's face it. When we shop in bookstores, we are inundated by countless and pointless spewings of writings that are in the bookstore, but perhaps don't belong. This is because of marketing. The big publishers know what is going to sell and they know what will make money, so they market thier books (good or bad) to every bookstore known to man, while the smaller fish, the author not incorporated in the big publishing house's nightmare, is out on his own slaving away for a hard earned buck. I am led to believe that the big publishing houses are the enemy here. If I may make my point within the pages of this publication, allow me to. It is common knowledge in the literary world to say (sad to say) that most big publishing houses will not even take a chance with your manuscript--no matter how good it is--unless you are either already a best-selling author or you are a celebrity. Unfortunately, this mindest has been passed arouond freetly amongst the world and the press. I had a book signing scheduled at my local Barnes and Noble bookstore, and when I went to promote my event, I was met with the usual hostility from my favorite local newscast. The news producer of this newscast told me on the phone that "we don't usually cover book signing events uless the author is very famous like (insert celebrity/politician's name here), which I am not. What I am is, at the very least, a decent local author with a small, but expanding fan base. Needless to say, the television news did pick it up in a form I had not been expecting when I had first called. I was ushered on as a backyard guest to talk about my event with the meteorologist on live television during the primetime newscast. The signing went off with only one hitch, which I am not at liberty to discuss here. By now, you have determined that I am talking about all authors with a dream and a common goal, not just myself. There are many, many authors in the world, whom, like myself, are not well known, more or less because the big publishers have failed to recognize their consistent efforts and their unique voices in print. So these authors turn to smaller presses, vanity presses, self-publishing and print on demand outfits with the hopes of catching someone's eye. The problem is that the vast majority of these authors are hard to see. Based on my own experience, I can tell you why. It is harder to expose and the whirlwind of money is not backing them up. But most of all--and as much as i hate to admit it--the reason why I am not and most of my peers are not in every bookstore in the world is because we are not (insert celebrity/politician's name here). Plain and simple. ------------ Brad Mathews is the author of two books, a collection entitled "Things Wrapped in Plastic" and a novel called "Vacancy." His third book, another novel, is due out later this year. Mathew's books focus on many different things, from the twisted world of the lurid to the stunning and beautifully spu web of mystery. Brad Mathews currently resides in Idaho Falls, Idaho with his family. Email: bradforshow1@hotmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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