A note about "there can only be one" when it comes to marginalization: yes, publishers have a history of doing this very gross thing. Most of them are much better about it now, but it does still happen. But far less than in the past. But they do it. Sigh. Publishers commodifying author identity is gross :(
Dear Alexa, as somebody who could not easily get this publishing info somewhere else (nor would I even know what to look for) I sincerely thank you! You are fantastic and so is all of your content!
as always your discussion topics are always so insightful! competition is definitely not a fun thing to talk about in writing and I agree that many of us shy away from it because it's better for all of us mentally to be as positive as possible in an otherwise soul crushing industry lol. but I loved that you touched upon this!
This reminds when a few horror books came out with the same "final girls" trope. Instead of having a rising tide, one author felt a little pressed about it.
I was working on a story with a very unique hook, but I just am not a fast enough writer to get it done and queried before I ended up seeing the hook out in the world. I think the book may have a chance one day but for now I've just shelved it because I think I missed the window.
One nice trend: the competition for cultural prestige seems to be headed in a really positive direction, not only in publishing but in the culture at large. We're living in a moment where people's reading choices, fashion choices, music choices, food choices, etc. are seen, more and more, as all being equally valid. Genre snobbery is still a thing, of course, but it's dying a slow and long-deserved death.
It sure is...it is a huge thing where 80% lose out...where you pay to win. It is just luck and yes, competition is huge as you have to outshine the 2% that get through and somehow beat the 1% that is in there, which is the Household Brands. It is huge indeed and you have to be at your very best to outshine and pressure is huge.
As always, good information. Thanks for sharing, Alexa. Depressing as well, but still...thanks for sharing. Most of us have probably been told NOT to write to the market but hearing these pieces of information makes it difficult to avoid wanting to do exactly that. It would be cool to hear your thoughts on having a few completed and polished novels waiting in the wings and how to identify market trends to try and query based on what people want. I think most of us write while maintaining jobs so having books on tap doesn't seem too crazy of an idea. But yeah, I'd love to hear your thoughts on that and market trends.
Hi Alexa How much does geographical location of the author influence the success of her book? Does an author have to be located in the UK or the US in order to reach readers in those countries? I am asking mostly about KDP here I think. But would appreciate any advice about traditional publishing in relation to author’s location as well. Thank you so much for all your videos. Learning so much from you! 🙏🏻
I've been wondering the same as well, being from somewhere on the other side of the Atlantic but wanting to reach the US market.. I'd also like to know how the marketing is going to be, since as foreigners we can't be physically available in spaces in the US in many events
Getting a movie/TV show actually made and ascending to "7 to 8 figures per royalty statement" levels. (yes there are authors who see those numbers and they're pretty much the ones who got huge movies)
hey, I had a general doubt, loved your video though:) There are many types of literary conflicts in a story, one of them is man vs author. could you explain me this conflict in brief.
i would feel so guilty if i made someone feel miserable and resentful because my work seemed like competition to them or like i was stepping on their toes :/ like honestly, this is the biggest hurdle for me to try to get published. what if i get an agent and someone I'm friendly with doesn't? i would feel so bad and want to apologize...
Don't apologize. If that were me, I would feel less than if you apologized. Instead, give them constructive criticisms and encourage them to not give up.
@@itsmeebreanna Yeah, I know logically thats the correct course. It's just hard for me. I have like... this fear of being hated and a compulsive need to be liked by other people
I enjoy your videos so much and your advice is spot on, but honestly, all of the huge, exaggerated hand motions when you speak are super distracting. I mean this in the nicest way possible! Love your vids! ❤️
She’s sitting and just talking. If her hands were in her lap and still, we would lose interest very quickly at the stilted delivery. What a strange thing to remark on, I didn’t even notice!
![fellow fellow - PROUD feat. INK WARUNTORN [STRING QUARTET]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BQrVkMPTdHE/mqdefault.jpg)
A note about "there can only be one" when it comes to marginalization: yes, publishers have a history of doing this very gross thing. Most of them are much better about it now, but it does still happen. But far less than in the past. But they do it. Sigh. Publishers commodifying author identity is gross :(
@Dina Husseini You decide how important it is to you to publish via a trad publisher versus self-publishing, and move on from there.
“We all have a nemesis list,” Alexa said, eyes narrowed as she stared into the middle distance. “Anyways...”
Dear Alexa, as somebody who could not easily get this publishing info somewhere else (nor would I even know what to look for) I sincerely thank you! You are fantastic and so is all of your content!
as always your discussion topics are always so insightful! competition is definitely not a fun thing to talk about in writing and I agree that many of us shy away from it because it's better for all of us mentally to be as positive as possible in an otherwise soul crushing industry lol. but I loved that you touched upon this!
I cannot thank you enough for all the practical advice. It all makes sense and is great prep for what you may face.
This reminds when a few horror books came out with the same "final girls" trope. Instead of having a rising tide, one author felt a little pressed about it.
I love you so much, Alexa. I've had a really rough summer. This really helped lift me up even though I'm not in this area in my publishing journey.❤
Thank you for pointing this out. For pointing out how difficult it is and how some people just don't see it. How they don't talk about it.
I was working on a story with a very unique hook, but I just am not a fast enough writer to get it done and queried before I ended up seeing the hook out in the world. I think the book may have a chance one day but for now I've just shelved it because I think I missed the window.
I love this top! (Or dress, if it's a dress)
Lol, a nemesis list. I love it.
I swear Alexa needs to be hired as an executive of acquisitions editor at a Big 4/5, she knows too much at this point
I love your honesty so, so much. Thanks for this. 😜
Highlander Cinematic Universe
I loved this one.
Great video, always a pleasure!
Don't have to think about this yet, but was still here for this. Good advice!
One nice trend: the competition for cultural prestige seems to be headed in a really positive direction, not only in publishing but in the culture at large. We're living in a moment where people's reading choices, fashion choices, music choices, food choices, etc. are seen, more and more, as all being equally valid. Genre snobbery is still a thing, of course, but it's dying a slow and long-deserved death.
It sure is...it is a huge thing where 80% lose out...where you pay to win. It is just luck and yes, competition is huge as you have to outshine the 2% that get through and somehow beat the 1% that is in there, which is the Household Brands. It is huge indeed and you have to be at your very best to outshine and pressure is huge.
As always, good information. Thanks for sharing, Alexa. Depressing as well, but still...thanks for sharing. Most of us have probably been told NOT to write to the market but hearing these pieces of information makes it difficult to avoid wanting to do exactly that.
It would be cool to hear your thoughts on having a few completed and polished novels waiting in the wings and how to identify market trends to try and query based on what people want. I think most of us write while maintaining jobs so having books on tap doesn't seem too crazy of an idea. But yeah, I'd love to hear your thoughts on that and market trends.
I love your videos. Thank you.
Someday when we're at the same convention, we should do lunch ;)
Yes!!!
What about East Asian Historical Fantasy? I'm writing this book
so thankful for the advice you put out on these videos it really helps :)
Alexa ready to throw hands! Literally (heh)
It’s scary knowing that especially with gay authors. Like there’s only a handful of gay books a year :(
Why does this lady remind me so much of Tamara Chambers?
Hi Alexa
How much does geographical location of the author influence the success of her book? Does an author have to be located in the UK or the US in order to reach readers in those countries? I am asking mostly about KDP here I think. But would appreciate any advice about traditional publishing in relation to author’s location as well. Thank you so much for all your videos. Learning so much from you! 🙏🏻
I've been wondering the same as well, being from somewhere on the other side of the Atlantic but wanting to reach the US market..
I'd also like to know how the marketing is going to be, since as foreigners we can't be physically available in spaces in the US in many events
What's the highest level of competition....in publishing???
The celebrity tier, I'd imagine. King vs. Koontz, etc.
@@Gaywatch actually I agree with you on that one!!!
Thanks for the input
Getting a movie/TV show actually made and ascending to "7 to 8 figures per royalty statement" levels. (yes there are authors who see those numbers and they're pretty much the ones who got huge movies)
@@Gaywatch really? I’d have guessed that someone like king is always going to sell, so he’s not really competing that hard, right?
hey, I had a general doubt, loved your video though:) There are many types of literary conflicts in a story, one of them is man vs author. could you explain me this conflict in brief.
i would feel so guilty if i made someone feel miserable and resentful because my work seemed like competition to them or like i was stepping on their toes :/ like honestly, this is the biggest hurdle for me to try to get published. what if i get an agent and someone I'm friendly with doesn't? i would feel so bad and want to apologize...
Don't apologize. If that were me, I would feel less than if you apologized. Instead, give them constructive criticisms and encourage them to not give up.
@@itsmeebreanna Yeah, I know logically thats the correct course. It's just hard for me. I have like... this fear of being hated and a compulsive need to be liked by other people
All art production yeah needs insight. Readers can be going through stuff temperamental changes. How much do publishers know 'bout what readers need?
I enjoy your videos so much and your advice is spot on, but honestly, all of the huge, exaggerated hand motions when you speak are super distracting. I mean this in the nicest way possible! Love your vids! ❤️
Am I the only person who listens to the videos as if they were podcasts and not looking at them...?
I love her hand gestures tho :( boo!!!
@@mary419 it’s probably just me. I’m a little ADD so it’s a huge distraction but I think she’s the coolest when it comes to writing advice! ❤️
She’s sitting and just talking. If her hands were in her lap and still, we would lose interest very quickly at the stilted delivery. What a strange thing to remark on, I didn’t even notice!
I think that's just you haha her hand gestures are pretty normal