As you may have heard, Thomas Pynchon’s new novel INHERENT VICE was published last week, which is newsworthy for many reasons, but my favorite tidbit is that the notoriously publicity-shy Pynchon actually lent his voice to his book trailer and provided a playlist of songs for Amazon. It is indeed 2009. But other than these activities Pynchon is remaining completely out of sight as he has for virtually all of his life — there are hardly even any photographs of him.
This got me thinking about a perpetual debate among authors and publishing types: Can you be “just an author” these days, pecking away at a typewriter in a basement somewhere but otherwise completely eschewing publicity and remaining out of the public eye, Salinger- and Pynchon-style, writing in a bubble-like Platonic ideal of authordom?
I think a few authors can probably pull it off, particularly those who are already established. But it’s increasingly rare for authors breaking into the business.
Every author is a product of their time and had to deal with the realities and constraints of their publishing industry. Hemingway found his way to publication in part because he knew the right people (namely F. Scott Fitzgerald), and his success owed a great deal to his larger than life stature, a literary self-promotional archetype dating back to Byron and beyond. Herman Melville became famous because he wrote travelogues about far flung locales during a time when technology and trade was opening up the world, then crashed and burned when he tried to write novels about silly things like white whales, which didn’t even sell through its 3,000 print run.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the authors we most associate with seclusion and anonymity became popular in the late ’50s and ’60s, the time when counterculture and anti-establishment sentiment was running highest. Let’s face it – Pynchon and Salinger are some of our best writers, but the whole seclusion thing just added to their mystique and cred during a time when a popular phrase was “Turn on, tune in, drop out.” Pynchon and Salinger mastered the “drop out” part.
But setting aside what was true in the past, can an author today expect that they can write in, drop out and leave the publicity to the publisher?
Probably not.
As we all know, these are tough times for the publishing industry yada yada yada. Sure, publishers are buying fewer books, but they also have to make difficult decisions about which books will receive precious marketing dollars and the all-important “push” that can make the difference between obscurity and bestsellerdom. How do they make these decisions?
Often they go for bang for the buck. And one of the best ways to get bang for the buck is to start with an author who is doing everything they can to help out with publicity, thus multiplying the publisher’s efforts.
As Lisa McMann’s interview from a year ago describes, she received a push and lead-title status from her publisher for her novel WAKE in large part because of her self-marketing efforts. And, sure enough, WAKE wound up on the bestseller list.
This creates a self-perpetuating cycle. Authors who have platforms and who are savvy with their web presence and who are professional and composed and plugged into the industry have a better shot at receiving promotional dollars and marketing pushes from their publishers. Sure, there are exceptions, and let me state loud and clear that writing a great book is the most important thing.
But still, all things being equal, the edge goes to the plugged-in author. Take it from a real life sales assistant at a major publisher: they want you doing stuff. We can debate whether this is the best strategy or how many books blogs actually sell or whether this system is right or wrong until we’re hoarse, but the fact is: this is the way the business is right now.
And I don’t think it’s a coincidence.
Melville lived in a time when the world was physically opening up due to inventions like steam power, Hemingway and Fitzgerald lived in a time when radio and movies were helping create global celebrities, and Pynchon and Salinger became popular during a time of discontent and the rise of a powerful counterculture.
We live in a networked time. The Internet is quickly organizing itself into tribes of far-flung, plugged-in, like-minded individuals and shaping how we learn about the stories we consume. Popular books from THE SHACK to TWILIGHT spill out of highly devoted and connected small groups who then spread their passion to the population at large. The authors who engage their audience and inspire devoted clans of fans have a leg up over those who sit back and let the publisher take care of that whole promotional thing or who hope lightning will strike on its own.
There’s no such thing as “just an author” anymore, and I suspect there never was.
Just remember: even Cormac McCarthy went on Oprah.
As much as I'd like to hide away from the world, I know it's not possible. I just wasn't born in the right time for that!
Though I think some people have an easier time of it than others–namely ones that are more outgoing to begin with and don't stutter and ramble on like a fool when they're in front of people…
LOL, if anything, I'll make a name for myself for being rather unique in my speech and mannerisms. 😛
Nathan –
Sorry. Maybe my wording was off. I didn't mean it sarcastically.
The truth, I really wish I could be a nobody, who makes money writing fiction. But unfortunately that's not the way it is. At least not the money making part.
For someone like me–deathly shy and almost anti-social–realizing that, yes, you do have to market yourself is terrifying. That's why I take small steps–start with a blog, try to connect with people, and above all, don't let myself think about it as marketing.
I think I've failed to grasp the genius behind the Cormac McCarthy line. Perhaps I lead a sheltered life.
anon@7:38-
Given the varying reasons for blogging anonymously I don't think I could come up with an answer that could cover every eventuality. It's up to the blogger/author to navigate all that however they think is best.
anon@7:40-
Yes, I personally think an author should have a google-able presence when they're looking for an agent. It doesn't have to be a blog, it could be a web page or even a facebook/myspace page. Just something so that they can be found if needed.
Yes, I personally think an author should have a google-able presence when they're looking for an agent. It doesn't have to be a blog, it could be a web page or even a facebook/myspace page. Just something so that they can be found if needed.
Why? More to show that the person's sane, has tech skills, and/or to provide you with a sense of his/her personality?
I can understand the above reasons, but if it's a reason more along the lines of 'person has a pre-existing reach across the ether,' I'd be a bit confuddled. Or even if it's the reasoning 'person is out there selling himself already or has potential marketing capability' (just seems like it's putting the cart before the horse).
BofA-
"My own personal feeling is that every author out there is doing themselves a disservice if they don't have some sort of a Google-able web presence with an e-mail address. Often I'll come across a short story or an article that strikes me (ouch!), and I'll try and track down the author, sometimes to no avail. Avail, authors, avail! You know what they say, opportunity can't knock if opportunity can't find one's Myspace page."
From: Author Websites
Ah – got ya — I need to start availing 😉 … And, once again, but never enough, thanks for all your time and efforts here.
As for the risks of blogging, aren't they the risks of just living these days? If you were to google my name, you could find out to whom and how much I contributed in the last presidential election, charities I have donated to, volunteer endeavors at my child's school, book reviews on Amazon, etc. In short, maybe the blog places your views neatly in one place, but it's not that hard to piece together otherwise.
Anon 11:42 a.m.
No, it's not just you.
Nathan –
Thanks for response. I think it would make for an interesting & helpful post. Keep us in the loop if you plan on it. I will have to bookmark that baby.
Now, I'm off to read today's post.
You did it this time, Nathan!
You made me think and rethink and think again. (all this thinking is my excuse for such late posting to your wonderful blog – had to think before I yammered on)
Up until recently, I dreamed of being "just a writer" while the world left me alone.
After reading books on writing, on getting published, and what hoops to jump through, I was a little nervous to think about success.
But after reading this blog topic, I rethunked (new word here) it all out.
Conclusions:
1. Wanting to be a “drop-off-the-planet author” secluded and private is somewhat selfish. If we want the world to read our writings, we should be available. People naturally want to know “who said that?” and will want to search us out.
2. When writing for a living (big dream) without a time-clock mentality, it is a good idea to have some distraction to maintain balance. Some authors become regular gym-rats to work off tedium. Marketing, signings, and travel would definitely be a great opportunity to break routine and tedium while writing that next novel.
3. Hiding inside our caves creating the next bestseller limits our resources. Hob-knobbing around the globe provides great opportunities to experience life, meet new people, see new places, and add more writing material to our future bestsellers. Even disastrous or embarrassing moments are a wealth of writing ideas.
Thanks again, Nathan for a great blog.
Lucinda
I think marketing is fun. I also think seclusive writing is fun. I'm a Gemini – thank god for my contradiction-laden nature.
As an aside, I read an awesome book by a debut author a couple of weeks ago which I'd heard about a couple of times in interviews (not with the author) online. When I went to buy it there was about 7 copies in the shop (that's a lot for a no-name US book in an Aussie bookstore).
After I read it, I Googled the author – she doesn't even have a webpage! No blog, no Myspace, no Facebook. Just a listing on her publisher's website, with no additional info than is on the book jacket.
So, I guess self-promotion isn't the be all and end all of everything! I've no doubt she's the exception to the rule, and I'd be excited to be out there marketing my book! I just thought it was interesting.
Ok, begin again.
By the time I finished the comment it was a novela, and best left to the obscurity of my own blog.
Terry: I happen to agree with your sentiments. Seems to me (despite Nathan's clarifications) that a novelist cannot hope for publication unless they're "plugged" in to the cyberworld and all it's networking wonders. I want to be an author, not publicist or marketing specialists. Viscious circle, the world of publishing. You need a publicist to promote your work and if you don't happen to be partnered with a computer savvy, internet fanatic, or raising one, you need to hire one. Hiring one takes money which, you won't have until the novel sells.
Ah, the joys of the 21st century!
……….dhole
word verif: verice. I'd like it better if it wanted averice. That one I know.
I think that's a good thing. We have the tools before us. Let's charge in!
*Continues to improve website*
And now I know why I was in marketing and communications in a previous life. Whew, it wasn't all for nothing after all!
I notice that even wildy successful authors like J.K. and Stephenie do the marketing and self-promotion thing. I'd be happy to do the internet site, blog/facebook/twitter and book trailer, but the face-to-face thing would be tough. Living a solitary life in the country, and being a shy person anyway, doesn't exactly give the skills to do speaking engagements or appear in broadcasted interviews. Although…I do like talking about myself, so maybe it might not be so bad. *g*
"Can you be "just an author" these days, pecking away at a typewriter in a basement somewhere but otherwise completely eschewing publicity and remaining out of the public eye"
Why would you want to be? Meeting readers is most of the fun of being an author.
And I'm sure McCarthy will regret that appearance for the rest of his days.
The thing you don't mention is that readers refuse to just be readers. Celebrity culture and its toxic vibes infect many wounded and needy people who will not go away. Isn't it enough to put your work in front of the public without having to compromise yourself, your personal space and your sanity.
If the work is great, that should be enough.
Fitzgerald didn't meet Hemingway until after he [Fitzgerald] had written his own publisher to inform him of Hemingway as a rising artist–based solely on Hemingway's early work!
Hey Nathan! If you have a sec, check out my website/book trailer. I think this is what you're talking about…and I had an absolute blast doing it 🙂
https://www.rootkarbunkulus.com
Thanks for your inspiration!
Nathan, you write that you suspect there never was, but Pynchon is still seriously in hiding. We don't really know what he looks like, let alone who his influences are, where he lives, etc.
Great post. Seems to echo what I'm reading all over: no more poet in a garret… Write and write well, but don't neglect your platform.