by Cindy Sproles @cindydevoted
My high school journalism teacher once told me, “You’re a naive soul. Always looking for the best in others. Beware of naysayers. They will crush you.”
It’s not the first time I’ve been accused of naivety nor the first time I’ve been disappointed in others, so when I became a member of the writing world, I’d hoped for better.
Competition is alive and well in the publishing industry. It always has been. It’s not necessarily a bad thing – when it’s managed appropriately – but when it isn’t … naysayers surface.
Over the last few months, I’ve read countless opinions from some of publishing’s finest – well-established agents, solid and experienced editors, strong publishers. I’ve noticed the naysayers are rising.
The problem? Excited new writers are crushed beneath the hand of naysayers.
Here’s what naysayers are ranting:
1. It’s foolish to encourage a new writer who knows nothing about the industry or the craft, saying they could be published. Learn the craft!
“Wow” was the only word I could cough up. I understand the attitude many newer writers possess is raw. Their work, in their eyes, is perfect as is. They’ve yet to learn the importance of real editing and the bloody knees involved in the growth process. But who better to encourage them to learn the craft, to understand the industry, than those who have walked the path first?
Yes, at times, an attitude of entitlement must be massaged away, but without guidance and encouragement, how will those coming up ever know?
2. Small publishers will ruin your career. Stay away. They can’t produce the numbers needed for your success.
Unfortunately, publishing can be a numbers game, but there is more to be assessed. Let’s be clear, we are talking about traditional publishers, not self-publishing companies who are in a box all their own. Whether it be a small traditional publisher or a large house, they work very hard.
There are first-time authors signed with large contracts from huge houses who only sell a handful of books, and there are first-time authors signed with small publishers who do the same. A book with few sales weighs evenly whether it’s contacted by a large house or a small traditional publisher.
Certainly, large houses have a longer arm into the market. They spend thousands of dollars to print even small runs of books, mailing them to distributors and retailers. They are able to allocate small amounts of money for advertising and probably have a few ins with advertisers small houses don’t, but the bulk of marketing continues to fall on the author.
The bottom line is still the same. Low numbers are hard on any writer’s career, and when a second contract comes into consideration, the opportunities lessen.
Small traditional publishers don’t have the money to do what larger houses do. It’s just not there. Still, there many good first-time authors who work with those houses, taking the bull by the horn and selling those books. Their numbers DO happen and though they may not be as broad, the fact remains: they are selling their books. That’s successful.
Isn’t the goal of the author and the publisher publication and sales, whether it’s a large house or small? I understand the thoughts of numbers and sales, but I also believe authors who are good are often overlooked when all they need is a tiny bit of tweaking to be amazing.
3. Small houses publish junk. They publish anything.
Well, that’s an interesting thought that bears no validity. Small houses can’t afford to publish junk and make zero dollars. That doesn’t make good business sense. In fact, the five small publishers I know personally spend a lot of time and money on editors so their authors have the same opportunity at successful publication as the big boys. Book qualities are excellent, and they work hard to find ways to market themselves and help the author market.
4. I hate it when people say they are called by God to write. God might call them, but He doesn’t write the book and His calling is not a free pass to publication.
There is some truth in this, but not fully. I believe God does offer a call into the lives of those who write in the Christian world, however, Scripture teaches us that God expects our best. Writers who feel the nudge of God to write are held to a higher standard.
And no, a calling is not a free pass to publication. It is, however, an opportunity to learn a craft and use it willingly to His glory. To quote a dear friend, “Your work may never be meant to sit on the shelves of a bookstore. It may only be meant for the person sitting next to you.”
The entitlement attitude must be gently “taught” away so the understanding of how things work – effort, hard work, learning the craft, rejections, and ultimately publication – happens.
I realize some will label me naïve, foolish, or even stupid, but can’t we wish and strive for an industry that works together to bring amazing works of words to a world that hungers for something positive and good?
Encourage. Teach. Guide. Help. When that happens, both authors and the industry thrive.
Have you ever had a naysayer experience? How do you handle the words naysayers speak about you or your writing? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Cindy K. Sproles is a speaker, author, and teacher. She is a best-selling author and the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries. Cindy is the managing editor for Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She lives in the very mountains she writes about – the Appalachians. Visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com.
The Conversation
Cindy, This is a powerful post. Thank you. I said all these things to myself. I was called 4 years ago to write. I was content to speak and teach. I’m amazed at where God has me. I look forward to the rest of the journey. May the above statements NEVER come out of my mouth while speaking to other writers. My desire is to encourage writers everywhere no matter where they are in their journey.
Every writer I know has had a naysayer encounter. I sure have. I agree, like any other art, writing is a craft. It takes years of experience to learn it, from the actual writing to platform building and marketing. And every one who is in that journey needs encouragement.
When Jesus met people, He never rejected a one. He started where they were and moved them forward into a relationship (or deeper relationship) with Him. We all have to start somewhere. A godly editor moves people forward and doesn’t push them off the path.
I’ve had so many wonderful writers and editors positively impact me and my writing. I leave writers conferences encouraged and charged up to continue the fight. But there are the few who bring nothing but arrogance to a meeting. It’s disgraceful, really. And not from God.
Paul talks about spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12. He makes a point that every person is significant, every gift valuable and needed. “It is truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable…But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked.” If God values each one, who are we not to do the same??
Thank you for this insightful article, Cindy. You are one of the most encouraging people I know. We’re all in this together, all on the same team. I join you in wishing everyone would get on the same page!
Thank you Julie. That means so much. We are all in this together.
Great article, Cindy! If I’d listened to naysayers when I first began writing I’d be out looking for another profession. I just knew my first efforts at writing a novel would catch the eyes of publishing houses. Ha! Not so! In fact, I received my manuscript back via snail mail along with a letter that told me I needed to learn how to write. I sulked for a while but I didn’t let that stop me. I took four years of writing classes with Jerry Jenkins. The learning process never ends! I’m not published yet, but I do have a wonderful agent who is presently marketing my three novels and I’m starting the second novel in my second series. My time is coming and I’m open to learning, but naysayers won’t hold me back. As Jerry Jenkins says, we must develop thick skin and learn from our mistakes.
Exactly. Pull yourself up and forge ahead. The more you learn and practice the craft the closer you come to publication.
Great words of wisdom. It’s a reminder to remember when we are critiquing the power our words have. Let’s use them to build, not to puff ourselves up.
Amen! Thanks Tim.
As I prepare for my first novel to be released, I can look back with a smile at all the negative feedback I’ve had during the long process. The experts told me over and over how I would not find a publisher for my first book. Nobody does. I might as well get ready for failure. I’m green. Naive, too. I might as well self -published so I can say I’ve been published and then just forget the dream of finding a traditional publisher. I’m too old and not a good enough writer. And forget about getting an agent.
I could have been discouraged and given up years ago. But I didn’t. The reason? Because I knew God had given me a job to do and I didn’t have a choice but to obey Him. I kept working, learning, networking, writing, re-writing, and editing again. I worked my tail off. And then it happened. God blessed me when I least expected it.
What did I learn most of all during this process? To stand tall when naysayers spout their superior knowledge–knowing that my God is truly the only one who knows what it takes to be traditionally published. I’ll trust Him. I’ll smile, thank the naysayer for their wisdom, and walk in the right direction.
Here are my two favorites: (1) Self-published novels (I prefer the term indie-published due to the extremely negative connotation related to the word self-published) are junk. Bull. Sure, there’s lots of people out there who thing they are writers simply because they put a book out via some outlet like CreateSpace. But there’s lots of us who want to produce quality work and do so via indie publishing.
And my other favorite: (2) You have to write non-fiction before you can write fiction. This one is about 16 years old, and when I heard it as a young writer just beginning my journey, it nearly crushed me. I’m not gifted in non-fiction. Fortunately, God is good, and I heeded his call to write fiction and learn the craft.