So you're a great writer. So what?

Remember poor ol' Jane Austen Doe and how miserable her life had become because the publishing industry is a cruel, unforgiving place? And how we all wept and wailed and beat our breasts because of her suffering? Well, if Jane Austen Doe is still out there feeling sorry for herself, I hope someone turns her on to this article:

Let's be clear on this, so there's no confusion on that matter: No one cares that you're totally the best writer ever. They just don't. Because while people want their writers to be many things, "the best" isn't usually one of those things. Readers want you to be entertaining. Editors want you to have commercial appeal and not be a pain in the ass to line edit. Publishers want you to fill a hole in their production schedule. Book stores want you to stimulate foot traffic in their store. None of that inherently has anything to do with being a great writer.

You can find even more compassionate nuggets of sage advice at Even More Long-Winded (But Practical) Writing Advice. Enjoy!

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