also, I do understand how painful it is when you write to that imaginary person and she doesn't respond. this is why it's good to have a supportive community like this one. we writers are loners even though maybe not you, Esther. wink
this is so familiar to me, right now! as a visual Artist for 54 years, I had the double experience of being lauded, totally seen and appreciated by so many and then almost nobody showed up for my studio show.... visibility and acknowledgment, so fragile.... sometimes even from ourselves.... "not really"
I think most writers and books receive little recognition. Certainly, that's true of my poetry books since they're all rare and limited in distribution. Even a rare book room owning one is no guarantee of readership. When I read Quincy Troupe's interview with James Baldwin--the last interview Baldwin ever gave--it was a rare NYPL book and SUCH a great interview with verbal snapshots of Baldwin's house in St. Paul de Vence--and I never got around to telling Quincy I read it and how much it meant to me. I wrote this book by Quincy in the context of Q's 800+ page poetry book or another book I was reviewing (I'm still waiting for ABR to publish the Q review). Anyway, I'm not looking up facts here, and my point is even good reviews of notable poetry books are, as far as I can tell from the poetry circles I'm in, regrettably forgettable, and I work really hard to make my ABR reviews memorable, but I don't think most poetry book authors even see their reviews--unless they are written by someone in their circle, which opens the can of worms discussing whether or not reviews by cronies are ethical.
true! your initial post reminded me of a poet from another country who made no effort to promote her latest book, and I thought she was not helping her own cause. Yet MOST of my friends don't read my published work though others I don't know do. A friend who writes for NYTimes and other major outlets says those editors edit to maximine readers; he doesn't make a big deal about poetry he publishes even though it's very good. The nepotism is a whole other issue. Some poets PROMOTE nepotism in their circles--and thrive on it!
your salon was fabulous. I'm sure both the Alte group and the Society group will be supportive--and that's a good start. Getting reviews is next. Getting good blurbs from famous writers come after that. I guess I'm having a bad day or something. YOU have a big platform as a writer, and you probably have mailing lists you can use. I know some writers (with money) who have hired publicists for their books. And traveling and readings used to sell books!
also, I do understand how painful it is when you write to that imaginary person and she doesn't respond. this is why it's good to have a supportive community like this one. we writers are loners even though maybe not you, Esther. wink
I think that's it. That's where the connection & nurturing will come from.
Esther,
this is so familiar to me, right now! as a visual Artist for 54 years, I had the double experience of being lauded, totally seen and appreciated by so many and then almost nobody showed up for my studio show.... visibility and acknowledgment, so fragile.... sometimes even from ourselves.... "not really"
Hi Marsha, YES so complicated right? Thanks for writing.
I think most writers and books receive little recognition. Certainly, that's true of my poetry books since they're all rare and limited in distribution. Even a rare book room owning one is no guarantee of readership. When I read Quincy Troupe's interview with James Baldwin--the last interview Baldwin ever gave--it was a rare NYPL book and SUCH a great interview with verbal snapshots of Baldwin's house in St. Paul de Vence--and I never got around to telling Quincy I read it and how much it meant to me. I wrote this book by Quincy in the context of Q's 800+ page poetry book or another book I was reviewing (I'm still waiting for ABR to publish the Q review). Anyway, I'm not looking up facts here, and my point is even good reviews of notable poetry books are, as far as I can tell from the poetry circles I'm in, regrettably forgettable, and I work really hard to make my ABR reviews memorable, but I don't think most poetry book authors even see their reviews--unless they are written by someone in their circle, which opens the can of worms discussing whether or not reviews by cronies are ethical.
I agree. But we write because we love to. Or because we like to. Or because that's what we do.
true! your initial post reminded me of a poet from another country who made no effort to promote her latest book, and I thought she was not helping her own cause. Yet MOST of my friends don't read my published work though others I don't know do. A friend who writes for NYTimes and other major outlets says those editors edit to maximine readers; he doesn't make a big deal about poetry he publishes even though it's very good. The nepotism is a whole other issue. Some poets PROMOTE nepotism in their circles--and thrive on it!
I'm trying to figure out how to promote my next book (for November) - poems and stories
your salon was fabulous. I'm sure both the Alte group and the Society group will be supportive--and that's a good start. Getting reviews is next. Getting good blurbs from famous writers come after that. I guess I'm having a bad day or something. YOU have a big platform as a writer, and you probably have mailing lists you can use. I know some writers (with money) who have hired publicists for their books. And traveling and readings used to sell books!
YES YES YES. But who knows.
xxxxx
typo--sorry--I wrote ABOUT this book...word about is missing
Oh well then. If that's how she wants it. Has she noticed that this is true for most of us?
yes yes yes
maybe the expectations are what's a little off here. I would ask her, why do you write?