And Iain, oooo, you bring up a good point about first-time authors of literary fiction. This really is a tough time for them in general but exacerbated by the fact that so often these are folks least willing to market themselves.

Is there a classy way for debut literary fiction authors to market themselves? I think Kristin Bair O’Keeffe is a great recent example for literary authors to follow.

Thanks for the comment! Keep ‘em coming…

Thanks for the positivity.

And, I love your reminders to stop pointing fingers, that it isn’t Us vs. Them:
“When writers view publishers (agents, publicists, and everyone else involved) as partners and not meal tickets, then we can maintain 100% responsibility for our careers.”

But, again, as an agented author I’m also less than convinced that there has never been a better time to be a writer. Certainly not a first-time writer of literary fiction.

Great thought-provoking article mind!

Couldn’t agree more, on both counts. It’s never been a better time to be a writer and the publishing folks, in many ways, are doing their best. Back in October I had lunch with a VP from a major publisher. I loved hearing him explain things from his perspective. Though I think self publishing is at the very least a viable option, and growing more so each day, I don’t see publishers as the enemy.