28 Things I’ve Learned About Publishing
Written by John Boyne on the January 26th,2020
I published my first short story 28 years ago, in 1992. Eight years later, I published my debut novel. I’ve learned 28 things about publishing in those 28 years and here they are:
- There are no geniuses; there are only hard-working, committed writers doing their best each time.
- There are no ‘instant classics’; there’s the occasional book that, with luck, might be remembered in 50 years.
- Just because your 1st novel gets published does not mean your 5th will.
- Before everything else, a reader wants a good story.
- There are no inaccuracies in fiction; it’s all made-up.
- A novel is not better because it took ’10 years to write’. Nor is it better because it took 10 weeks.
- There’s not an editor on the planet who does not want to publish quality books.
- Writers know the value of their own work. A good/bad review doesn’t affect that.
- When you hear of a massive advance for a debut, that’s the exception, not the rule.
- Writers who form collectives are making a terrible mistake. It’s a solo job.
- 95% of what your editor tells you is probably right.
- Prizes are nice but too many writers are obsessed by them.
- There is no such thing as a muse; there is only discipline & focus.
- 99% of film rights sold never come to anything. Until it’s in the can, don’t crow about it.
- If you’re a man who doesn’t read women, then you’re not a books person at all.
- If you’re a woman who doesn’t read men, then you’re not a books person at all.
- If you’re a person who doesn’t read translated fiction, then you’re not a books person at all.
- On stage, the writer who’s been publishing the longest should read second, even if the other writer has sold more books.
- A writer who criticises another writer publicly comes across as envious & attention-seeking.
- Anyone who says ‘I’m writing a crossover novel’ is writing a bad novel. That happens organically, not deliberately.
- Writers of so-called popular fiction are just as committed to their craft as writers of so-called literature.
- Occasionally, you’ll find yourself at the centre of a storm for something you’ve said or written; this will pass.
- Authors who add ‘hilarious’ biographies cheapen their work.
- The team at your publishing house work incredibly hard. If the book doesn’t take off, it’s not their fault.
- Any writer who says they ‘hate’ writing should retire.
- Anyone who tells you why you’re wrong to have liked a particular book is an idiot.
- Many of the emperors have no clothes, but there’s nothing to be gained by calling them out.
- All writing is experimental.