The Middlemen vs. the Independents vs. the New Writers
Greetings, Timmy! Today, I’d like to delve into a topic that often goes unspoken, something many either quietly accept or vehemently oppose but rarely discuss openly. I’m talking about the middlemen, those who, not too long ago, held the reins as the intermediaries between authors and readers, and the independents, advocating for their independence, and the clashes that arise from this complex landscape.
It may seem like a straightforward topic, but it gets muddied because, in my opinion, many people unnecessarily get worked up over it. There are essentially two camps. First, there are those who work with the middlemen, often comprising the older generation of authors who found success in a different era. Alongside them, you’ll find a portion of the younger cohort who align their beliefs with their predecessors, and as a result, they collaborate with the middlemen. It’s neither inherently good nor bad; it’s just one way of doing things.
On the flip side, you have the younger and newer writers who view the middlemen with a sense of revulsion. They can’t stand them, have little respect for them, and refuse to accept their role in the industry. This sentiment is further fueled by the presence of successful authors who boast YouTube channels, substantial social media followings, and who vigorously promote their independent methods to the world. They shout it from the rooftops, often so loudly that they drown out other voices.
Meanwhile, here I am, just a regular guy, but I’m a cynic who feels older than my years, probably because I was raised in a city that has a knack for breeding cynics. What I’m witnessing here is nothing short of a clash of worldviews. My perspective? Neither side is entirely wrong. Make no mistake, Timmy, if this were merely a spectacle of two camps of fools shouting at each other, I’d ignore it. But it’s more complex than that; there are people caught in the crossfire, and they’re the New Writers.
I know this because I was once a complete novice in this field, utterly bewildered. The confusion is compounded by the fact that when you’re so new, you’re often riddled with insecurity. You’re prone to listen to those you consider your superiors because you haven’t yet developed the confidence to trust your own judgment about what’s right and wrong.
In the past, you had to pound the pavement, make calls, engage with fellow human beings, establish connections, and, above all, think and reflect. Otherwise, you couldn’t really be a writer. But in this high-speed era, the relentless pressure to churn out content and the Smoke Merchants peddling their supposedly infallible recipes for success can easily overwhelm newcomers. This is especially true when it comes to the topic of money, as the clash between these two camps often centers around the issue that has led many astray: money.
So, let this old, cynical soul share some insights with you.
It’s true, the middlemen do wield control over the medium, and even the independents often have to interact with them. These middlemen are the old brick-and-mortar stores, publishing houses, and the like. But let’s remember, they’re not monsters, nor are they saints. They’re simply human, and like all humans, they look out for their bottom line, their needs. For you, a story, a book, a novel is something to be cherished, and it is for me too, Timmy. But for them, it’s a product. Now, don’t let this realization anger you. Save your energy for what truly matters, Timmy, because getting worked up over this is an exercise in futility. It’s just the cold, unfeeling truth. In the end, no one wants to starve, so they must look out for their bottom line, and you must do the same. Brick-and-mortar stores have limited shelf space, and publishing houses engage in a high-stakes game, so they must gamble on what they believe will sell. If you’re new, you’re an unknown factor in their game, and chaos often rules the house, and the house always wins. If I were to deal with them, though I prefer not to, I would prepare myself to understand this and react accordingly. There’s no use getting your moral compass in a twist over it, Timmy, it’s simply futile.
The camp that chooses to work with the middlemen does so because they just want to write. They’d rather not concern themselves with the nitty-gritty details and just have a clean canvas for their writing, a worry-free mind to work with. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this approach.
And then, you have the independents. While you might classify me among their ranks, I’d advise against it. Most of this group may or may not produce good works, but that’s not the point of my judgment. What truly irks me is that they often sell the writing process, the creative journey, as if it were a mere cake recipe. But you’re not baking cookies; you’re undertaking something far more intricate. There’s no easy formula, no absolute certainty, only proven methods that are not set in stone. What really infuriates me is that, as independents, they have to juggle every little detail, from the writing itself to marketing, promotion, and copyright concerns. To make ends meet, they often sell other things with their product, and the second easiest item to peddle after negativity and misery is false security and unwavering certainty. That is what angers me.
If you’re new to this, if you’re just embarking on the journey to understand the craft, I want you to realize that no one will sell you absolute certainty. Only you can discern the shape of your own path, what you want, and how you’re going to achieve it. There’s no simple formula, Timmy, there truly isn’t. My hope is that these modest words help clear up any confusion.
Never accept the false certainty offered by the Smoke Merchants.
Until next time.
