From Big Hollywood, a different take on self-publishing. Sarah Hoyt has touched on similar themes in the past, so I reckon that’s just how it is in big publishing.
Chances are I won’t get to experience that, since I’ve made the decision to go indie. Economically it makes a whole lot more sense given the rapid changes underway. No one really knows how this will end up, but I suspect that new authors could easily get screwed if they’re signing contracts right now.
“Indie” is not the same thing as “alone”, by the way. I’m working with an editor on Perigee right now, a very good friend of mine from way back who possesses a couple of important qualities: 1) experience editing fiction, and 2) is a fan of the genre. So far, so good.
I’m still searching for cover art and have found a couple of good prospects. More on that later.
As usual, I’ve found myself meandering amongst topics.
I hadn’t thought much about the politics of the business, other than the tea leaves editors and marketers read to guess at which titles might sell big. One would expect personal preferences to weigh quite a bit, though they may say otherwise. It’s a crying shame that a writer’s politics matter at all.
Though after attending my first writer’s conference, it’s not that surprising. I overheard a lot of people talking politics, most of them left of center. Being a newbie, I kept my trap shut just like the author of the post linked above. If you’ve been reading this blog, then you know I’m not shy about standing up for what I believe in. And there are ways to do that forcefully without flat-out insulting your opposition.
It comes down to asking yourself, “will my piping up make any difference at this moment?” Sometimes, it’s just better to let them prattle on.
I’ll never forget an experience we had the night before the 2000 election, which you may recall was a mite contentious. My wife and I were browsing around our local Barnes & Noble, when a group of Gore drones voters began loudly carrying on about how excited they were and how a Great New Day awaited. Or something.
The longer they talked, the more obnoxious they became. It was obvious they were trolling for an argument. My wife was right behind them and took the bait. I watched in fascination as they became more agitated. She kept her cool and stood her ground, but they just couldn’t cope with the idea that someone might have legitimate disagreements with them. One guy finally looked right at her and said, “I can’t believe anybody with a brain would be a Republican.”
To which I replied: “I can’t believe anybody with a brain would say that to my wife while I’m standing right here. Perhaps we should discuss this outside.”
Which he wasn’t interested in, of course. Which leads me to another thought: it’s funny how the far Left is frequently picking fights and agitating for revolutionary change against the Right. Yet we own all the guns.
UPDATE: First-person account of more of this kind of treatment from a well-connected individual in Chicago, the heart of machine politics.
The Chiles Files 
“Indie” is not the same thing as “alone”
Great point.