It’s disheartening to see the same names of some of the worst writers I’ve ever tried to read reappear over and over again on bestseller lists. Are we really that dumb, or could there be corruption in who grabs the brass ring?
I tried reading Sparks, Steele and Patterson at one point years ago. Couldn’t make it past a few chapters before giving up. All three reminded me of my Barbara Cartland years as a young teen. I devoured her books for a couple years, and as it was my first foray into historical fiction (a genre I still enjoy), I tried to read one of her books again about two decades ago for old times sake.
Good Lord! I was embarrassed for myself that I ever liked them! Complete and utter dreck! IMHO the authors I mentioned above are worthy inheritors of her mantle. Blech.
I found your substack just today and have subscribed as I love the written word. Your articles are enlightening and entertaining. Thank you for your labors.
Thanks, Nana. My blog has been active for nearly two years now and I believe you are the first person ever to post a comment!
I think the biggest problem is the consolidation of the publishing industry. In the 1960s and 70s when there were dozens of competing hardback publishers and paperback publishers, they were always on the lookout for new talent. They’d publish hundreds of new titles each season in the hope of producing a handful of big sellers. Now, with just a handful of big conglomerates monopolizing the industry, it makes more financial sense to just sign up a couple of hugely successful writers - like King or Grisham or Steel - and then put out as many books by them as you can. Why take risks on a bunch of new writers every year when you can just keep milking the same old cash cows year after year?
If you like my essays on pop fiction you might also want to check out the dozens I’ve written for Quillette:
Well I’m honored to be the first. You deserve more interaction. I will look at your quillette articles as well. They are a great website, that along with Medium, promotes independent and thoughtful writing on a host of subjects. A rarity these days.
I’m sure you’re correct about the monopolization of the publishing industry being the likely primary source of the dearth of competition and quality in the publishing industry. It’s a sad commentary of our times. Someone should write a book about it! 😬
It’s disheartening to see the same names of some of the worst writers I’ve ever tried to read reappear over and over again on bestseller lists. Are we really that dumb, or could there be corruption in who grabs the brass ring?
I tried reading Sparks, Steele and Patterson at one point years ago. Couldn’t make it past a few chapters before giving up. All three reminded me of my Barbara Cartland years as a young teen. I devoured her books for a couple years, and as it was my first foray into historical fiction (a genre I still enjoy), I tried to read one of her books again about two decades ago for old times sake.
Good Lord! I was embarrassed for myself that I ever liked them! Complete and utter dreck! IMHO the authors I mentioned above are worthy inheritors of her mantle. Blech.
I found your substack just today and have subscribed as I love the written word. Your articles are enlightening and entertaining. Thank you for your labors.
Thanks, Nana. My blog has been active for nearly two years now and I believe you are the first person ever to post a comment!
I think the biggest problem is the consolidation of the publishing industry. In the 1960s and 70s when there were dozens of competing hardback publishers and paperback publishers, they were always on the lookout for new talent. They’d publish hundreds of new titles each season in the hope of producing a handful of big sellers. Now, with just a handful of big conglomerates monopolizing the industry, it makes more financial sense to just sign up a couple of hugely successful writers - like King or Grisham or Steel - and then put out as many books by them as you can. Why take risks on a bunch of new writers every year when you can just keep milking the same old cash cows year after year?
If you like my essays on pop fiction you might also want to check out the dozens I’ve written for Quillette:
https://quillette.com/2022/09/23/getting-fletch-wrong/
Thanks again for visiting my blog.
Kevin
Kevinmims@sbcglobal.net
Well I’m honored to be the first. You deserve more interaction. I will look at your quillette articles as well. They are a great website, that along with Medium, promotes independent and thoughtful writing on a host of subjects. A rarity these days.
I’m sure you’re correct about the monopolization of the publishing industry being the likely primary source of the dearth of competition and quality in the publishing industry. It’s a sad commentary of our times. Someone should write a book about it! 😬
I’d be happy to write that book but, like the dozens of others I’ve written, it would almost certainly go unpublished. 😫