RARA-AVIS: Re: state of NY publishing

From: davezeltserman (Dave.Zeltserman@gmail.com)
Date: 12 Nov 2009

  • Next message: jacquesdebierue: "RARA-AVIS: Re: state of NY publishing"

    Mario,

    Do you think Hammett, Chandler, Westlake, Stout, Jim Thompson, Spillane, etc. would've written the books they did if they didn't have a real prospect of earning an income with their writing?? Under your scenario, probably none of the great crime novels written from the 30s to the present day that we enjoy discussing here (when we discuss books!) would've been written.

    --Dave

    --- In rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com, "jacquesdebierue" <jacquesdebierue@...> wrote:
    >
    > I would add something to Dave's commentary: ironically, it's a great time to be writing. Basically you have the collapse of industrial civilization to work with, not exactly a small subject... And the period where it will be kept on a respirator may be the most interesting of all. Provided one does not starve, of course.
    >
    > I think toning down expectations is a good idea. Also, think of how many books did James Joyce sell during his lifetime? A ridiculously low number by today's standards. But he wrote, he watched and wrote.
    >
    > I think that ultimately, those who really want to write will write, and we will see a golden age of writing. The corporate structures will probably wither away, but that doesn't mean good stories will stop. The need to write and to read good stories is innate in us. That's the big picture. So, if an era closes (dies), another one will come. It's always been like that.
    >
    > Best,
    >
    > mrt
    >



    This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : 12 Nov 2009 EST