Congratulations on taking control of your work. And for not playing by the "publishing industry's" arbitrary rules. I have many unsavory thoughts about the machinery of "traditional" publishing that you already know, so I won't bore you.
Can't wait to read your query letter and wishing you great success with your Substack experiment.
Thanks for this Amran, and for the article share. Discovering your Substack was a late-game revelation. Looking forward to delving deeper in the new year. Happy Festivus Good sir, I'll find you in the comment section of your great piece ^^
Likewise! I love that feeling when you find a new writer whose voice just speaks to you instantly. Grabs you and captivates you. I definitely sense that with your work, and looking forward to diving deeper.
I used to equate traditional publishing with a quality end product, and I've seen enough self published books that needed another (half-dozen) set of eyes before the print run, but the disillusion is real. When I hear about Chuck Palahniuk's experience via the traditional model, with millions of dollars embezzled (https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/profiles/article/81751-is-chuck-palahniuk-too-big-to-fail.html) and no recourse...it's not very encouraging.
Fascinating, heartening & very inspiring Samuel! ( I was led to this post from your newsletter today.) Satisfying to be reminded that there are other ways of making it 'work' as a writer/creative!
Thank you Emma! There are so many different ways, and it's so easy to forget that unlike the artists of old, we have such an opportunity to connect with various communities literally with our fingertips.
There's much to love in this piece (and congrats on getting your rights back!) but I just want to comment on something you say in the first paragraph: you trimmed a 150K word novel down to 70K. That's terrific. That's hard work. Trimming wisely and relentlessly--or perhaps I should say chiseling, to get down to the marrow--almost always makes a book much better.
Oh, the ole adage "kill your darlings with a sharp (and decisive, as my editor said) blade" is on-point. I forget whose text I was reading, maybe Julian Barnes, but the first time I learned that some books take that much effort and cutting opened my eyes to looking beneath the surface of an imperfect work to find the light glowing within it. I LOVE the idea of chiseling, and in fact, I think of each book I've embarked upon as a sculpture. Sometimes the block of marble is somewhat formed. This book was just a massive rectangle that needed to be hacked at, sculpted, and chiseled for years
Your creative pursuits are super-interesting Samuel! I can appreciate your obsessive writing nature, I have it too. We also share a mutual friend (Chris L) from whom I've heard about you for a long time! But I was surprised to see where you live, because I live in Durham!
No way! Durham is a fantastic town, I was there a few weeks ago. When the word calls, we've got to follow it. My latest piece is a testament to that fact -- I didn't particularly feel like weighing in on a contentious subject, but alas, it was time to delve in!
Well speaking of the word "hippie," curious to hear your take on this cool story from Quora:
Jill Cora Anderson: What is a hippie?
I was a teenager in the 1960s when hippies were first a ‘thing’. But contrary to popular belief, everyone who grew up in the 60s was not a hippie.
I was a conservative young wife in 1968 whose husband was in the Army at a time when hippies, who believed in love and peace, were protesting the war in Vietnam. It wasn’t until many years later when our government finally admitted that the Vietnam war was a mistake that I realized they had been right.
I thought hippies were crazy in their beliefs that only home grown organic food was safe to eat. I remember thinking that our government would never allow food to be put on our shelves if it was harmful to us. Those naive thoughts seem pretty funny to me today.
My views changed drastically over the years when I realized what was really going on in the world. Today I definitely consider that I’ve been a hippie for over 15 years. I eat mostly organic food, use only supplements and natural things to heal every bodily dysfunction, and follow the belief of love and peace toward my fellow man while not pushing my personal agenda onto anyone.
Therefore, I believe a hippie is anyone who has a heart full of love and peace towards others with a goodly amount of “Let it Be” philosophy thrown in. We love nature and believe in protecting it and the planet at all costs. It’s never too late to jump on the Peace train and join us. It’s a happy way to live.
If you found this information helpful or entertaining, I ask that you tick the UpVote below to help others find me. Cheers!
What a killer definition! Who knew that eating granola and actual yogurt was good for you ... I surely am thankful that I learned about the tenets of love, and fighting for peace, and good music, and psychedelics, and not having to wear shoes all the time because it's nice to be grounded. Perhaps the Hippies shall return one day...
"...it’s time to stop asking publishers, literary agents, and all of the gatekeepers of old if we’re cool enough or good enough to be worthy their attention..." Much to say about this, and everything else you have said here. But mainly, yes, yes, and yes! There has to be a better way (for writers, for musicians), and fortunately today there are ways to make it happen. Keep going!
Slowly and surely we can bivouac our way into a new reality. It's good to know there's so many different ways to go about it now. It's challenging, frustrating, and befuddling, but perhaps more than anything else, it's empowering, to say the least.
This is so awesome and inspiring! Congratulations and best wishes for a successful 2023!
I’ll be hand delivering you a copy in Lalaland 🍷🥃🕺
That’s my bro! Great work
Ayyyy look who’s heeaa!
Congratulations on taking control of your work. And for not playing by the "publishing industry's" arbitrary rules. I have many unsavory thoughts about the machinery of "traditional" publishing that you already know, so I won't bore you.
Can't wait to read your query letter and wishing you great success with your Substack experiment.
Finally, if you're interested, last month I wrote briefly about my journey thus far: https://agowani.substack.com/p/celebrating-an-entire-year-of-madness
Happy Festivus!
Thanks for this Amran, and for the article share. Discovering your Substack was a late-game revelation. Looking forward to delving deeper in the new year. Happy Festivus Good sir, I'll find you in the comment section of your great piece ^^
Likewise! I love that feeling when you find a new writer whose voice just speaks to you instantly. Grabs you and captivates you. I definitely sense that with your work, and looking forward to diving deeper.
I used to equate traditional publishing with a quality end product, and I've seen enough self published books that needed another (half-dozen) set of eyes before the print run, but the disillusion is real. When I hear about Chuck Palahniuk's experience via the traditional model, with millions of dollars embezzled (https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/profiles/article/81751-is-chuck-palahniuk-too-big-to-fail.html) and no recourse...it's not very encouraging.
Congratulations!! Sounds like you are on a very mighty roll! I am keeping fingers crossed that I, too, will be receiving my signed copy in LaLaLand!!
Oh you better believe it!
That’s the (festive) spirit! Inspiring as always
Something to be proud of at the end of a big year for your writing. An honor to be part of it.
I think your blazing the right trail, man. Can’t wait to read OBM!
Thank you my friend! It's a fun trail to be on, regardless, not to mention how many fellow creative connections I've made in the past year
I am so excited about this!!!!!!!!!!
I'm making it under the wire, but I shall make good on my promise, barring printer error, to deliver a few goodies before a new year of work in 2024
Fascinating, heartening & very inspiring Samuel! ( I was led to this post from your newsletter today.) Satisfying to be reminded that there are other ways of making it 'work' as a writer/creative!
Thank you Emma! There are so many different ways, and it's so easy to forget that unlike the artists of old, we have such an opportunity to connect with various communities literally with our fingertips.
There's much to love in this piece (and congrats on getting your rights back!) but I just want to comment on something you say in the first paragraph: you trimmed a 150K word novel down to 70K. That's terrific. That's hard work. Trimming wisely and relentlessly--or perhaps I should say chiseling, to get down to the marrow--almost always makes a book much better.
Oh, the ole adage "kill your darlings with a sharp (and decisive, as my editor said) blade" is on-point. I forget whose text I was reading, maybe Julian Barnes, but the first time I learned that some books take that much effort and cutting opened my eyes to looking beneath the surface of an imperfect work to find the light glowing within it. I LOVE the idea of chiseling, and in fact, I think of each book I've embarked upon as a sculpture. Sometimes the block of marble is somewhat formed. This book was just a massive rectangle that needed to be hacked at, sculpted, and chiseled for years
Your creative pursuits are super-interesting Samuel! I can appreciate your obsessive writing nature, I have it too. We also share a mutual friend (Chris L) from whom I've heard about you for a long time! But I was surprised to see where you live, because I live in Durham!
No way! Durham is a fantastic town, I was there a few weeks ago. When the word calls, we've got to follow it. My latest piece is a testament to that fact -- I didn't particularly feel like weighing in on a contentious subject, but alas, it was time to delve in!
FWIW I agree with your position! Fill Substack with good-hearted writers, overwhelm them into irrelevancy.
YES TO THIS. I may have been raised by hippies, but I still believe LOVE IS THE WINNER
Well speaking of the word "hippie," curious to hear your take on this cool story from Quora:
Jill Cora Anderson: What is a hippie?
I was a teenager in the 1960s when hippies were first a ‘thing’. But contrary to popular belief, everyone who grew up in the 60s was not a hippie.
I was a conservative young wife in 1968 whose husband was in the Army at a time when hippies, who believed in love and peace, were protesting the war in Vietnam. It wasn’t until many years later when our government finally admitted that the Vietnam war was a mistake that I realized they had been right.
I thought hippies were crazy in their beliefs that only home grown organic food was safe to eat. I remember thinking that our government would never allow food to be put on our shelves if it was harmful to us. Those naive thoughts seem pretty funny to me today.
My views changed drastically over the years when I realized what was really going on in the world. Today I definitely consider that I’ve been a hippie for over 15 years. I eat mostly organic food, use only supplements and natural things to heal every bodily dysfunction, and follow the belief of love and peace toward my fellow man while not pushing my personal agenda onto anyone.
Therefore, I believe a hippie is anyone who has a heart full of love and peace towards others with a goodly amount of “Let it Be” philosophy thrown in. We love nature and believe in protecting it and the planet at all costs. It’s never too late to jump on the Peace train and join us. It’s a happy way to live.
If you found this information helpful or entertaining, I ask that you tick the UpVote below to help others find me. Cheers!
(Link to the post: https://qr.ae/pKmNvO)
What a killer definition! Who knew that eating granola and actual yogurt was good for you ... I surely am thankful that I learned about the tenets of love, and fighting for peace, and good music, and psychedelics, and not having to wear shoes all the time because it's nice to be grounded. Perhaps the Hippies shall return one day...
Haha, who knew?! :)
"...it’s time to stop asking publishers, literary agents, and all of the gatekeepers of old if we’re cool enough or good enough to be worthy their attention..." Much to say about this, and everything else you have said here. But mainly, yes, yes, and yes! There has to be a better way (for writers, for musicians), and fortunately today there are ways to make it happen. Keep going!
Slowly and surely we can bivouac our way into a new reality. It's good to know there's so many different ways to go about it now. It's challenging, frustrating, and befuddling, but perhaps more than anything else, it's empowering, to say the least.