This post is part of Alex Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writers Support Group posts. These posts are put up on the first Wednesday of the month and you can find the linky list to lots of other writerly blogs on his blog Here.
As I’m working my way through my revisions before querying agents again, I feel a slight panic every now and again. Though I’m not in any particular rush or hurry to find an agent or be published, as I know the important thing to do first, is work on my manuscript, I have wondered about the saturation levels of the market.
In any industry there is a natural wastage. Workers retire, move on to other companies/organisations or just leave, but writers, well writers, they just keep writing. And nothing stops them. Even if their fingers get old and arthritic, there are tools to overcome that, voice to text software for instance. Natural wastage just doesn’t exist in writing. You only have to look at PD James for instance. A wonderful crime writer, who, would have long ago retired should she have to go out to work in a nine to five type job, is still churning out great fiction.
With the lack of natural movement, how is there room for new writers like us? Does this make it more difficult or is there invisible movement somewhere mid-list that we don’t see? It always feels as though I have to do this quickly, as though I’m up against some invisible time barrier and if I don’t write fast enough, I’m just going to miss the publishing boat.
Does anyone else have this incessant feeling of needing to get it done, and is there always going to be room for the new guy?
Jackie Buxton says
Yes, I have the incessant feeling of needing to get it done – but more for my own sanity. I don’t particularly worry about the pool of authors ever increasing but I do worry that self publishing will squeeze and squeeze traditional presses, with their higher costs, out of the market and the traditional book market will diminish and more book shops will close. Hope that’s cheered you all up this morning?? Actually, I don’t really worry about things I can’t affect so I’ll just keep writing and hope that there will continue to be room in the world for all types of book.
Vikki (The View Outside) says
I think about this on a regular basis, and ask myself “why would anyone want to publish my book?” When there are so many other great writers out there?
Publishers and agents are always saying they want to discover new authors, so that kind of Gives me some hope. But, then I think about what I have to do to stand out amongst everyone else *gulp*
So I’m totally with you honey, it’s blooming scary! π
So why do we put ourselves through it? Because we LOVE to write, because we can’t help it, and because we NEED to π
There’s an element of luck of course. Right agent/publisher right time….but….if we make our MS the best it could possibly be, then maybe, just maybe someone will like it π
Good luck honey, don’t give up! You’re definitely not alone and we’re all right behind you π
Xx
julierkendrick says
There is always room for new writers. Yes you are right that authors like PD James are still writing great fiction and will have her stalwart fans but that certainly doesn’t mean that her readers will not want to pick up a book by a new author. I, myself love to read, I love established authors like, Stephen King, Peter James, Debbie Macomber, Marian Keyes. But I have recently discovered the joys of Amanda Hocking and Karen Marie Moning, and don’t forget that love her or hate her, E L James isn’t doing too bad for being brand new.
So get your head down, carry on writing your new and wonderful book. I’m waiting to read it.
Julie π
Annalisa Crawford says
I think the natural wastage in writing are the bad books that even though they get published soon wander off into insignificance. The good books, well written and edited, will stay around – and because that’s what your working towards for your novel, you stand a better chance than those hastily thrown-up-onto-Kindle-because-I-can novels.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
There is room for all!
A lot of writers and authors do give up. Which is sad if it’s not what they really wanted.
When I stop, it will be on my terms.
Now, keep revising and know there is a place for you!
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – There is always room for a new writer. It does as you say take work, a thick skin and determination, but there is room. You can do it. What you have is good and should be read.
Jane Isaac says
The answer to your question, Rebecca, is definitely. Not only are agents and publishers looking for the next best thing, but so are readers.
yasminselena says
i’m going to echo Alex and say that a lot of writers probably do give up or take a break.
If I’m honest I’ve never worried about saturation as there isn’t a single thing I can do about it!
About 5 years ago when I was actually nowhere near finished with Gunshot Glitter i sent out submissions to agents, many told me they took on about 2-8 new writers a year and got hundreds of manuscripts a month. Wowsers I thought, but it didn’t deter me. I love my book, I’m proud of what I’ve done. There are enough things in life that do paralyse me with fear to compensate for the lack of fear i feel in this arena lol, but just do the best you can and be proud of that. I have my fingers crossed for you : )
Julie Flanders says
I’ve worried about this as well, and it can be a very discouraging feeling. But ultimately I do agree that there is room for all, especially with all the new publishing opportunities available to both new and established writers. Keep going and good luck with the book, I know I will look forward to reading it whenever it is ready! π
Allison says
I think there’s always room for new writers. Agents are constantly looking for them, anyway! I am actually surprised by how much bad writing is published (though it does give me hope that if my writing is good, it WILL get published if I persevere!)
lexacain says
This is a really good question. For every PD James, there dozens of mid-list authors who get dropped by their publishers, or those who just stop writing. But now, there are more and more self-pubbed authors that readers can choose, so the market may very well be over-saturated atm. I guess you just have to hope to be one of the lucky few who succeed.
Kelly Louise (@GenePoolDiva) says
Who knows but as long as I find joy in the process I’ll chase the dream
Candilynn Fite-Writer says
Hi! IWSG member here. π I often ask myself the same question. I think that is the biggest reason I’ve been floating in and out of multiple genres. All I can say is, there will always be room for writers as long as there are readers. As for the publishing industry, I’m not sure what will happen in the future. Try not to spend your energy on worrying. Instead, use that energy to be true to yourself and your craft. Let it shine! π