I'm glad that Mr. Goldin decided to modify or reverse his initialn statement , because THIS:
Quote:
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Bestselling author and publishing expert Seth Godin says writers are right to worry. In fact, he says writers have to give up on the idea that they can or should make a living directly from their writing and instead look at other ways to monetize their work.
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is bulls###t.
Writers SHOULD be able to make a living directly from writing. If they can , they'll focus on writing better so they can make more money. If they can't make a living from writing, then they'll move on to something they CAN make a living from. Economics101 tells you that.
Frankly I want great writers to be paid great, good writers to be paid well, and poor writers to move on to something else. That's the way to get better books.
I also want writers to focus on WRITING. Its popular round these parts to say writers should do marketing, should self publish, self edit, etc.
WRONG. Another basic economic principle is the
division of labor. I want my writers WRITING-not shooting commercials, attending conventions, flogging merchandise, or whatever. George RR Martin does a lot of that, and the result? One novel every 5 years.
I like Stephen King's approach. He writes EVERY damned day-including holidays- and lets his publisher do everything else.
Seth Goldin's stuff is popular among people who AREN'T professional writers- people who frankly, don't want to pay for content.