You’ll have noticed a few changes around here recently: there’s a lot more to come.
But let me fill you in on the background to all this… the way I’ve been thinking.
First as an author, then as a literary agent, I’ve seen the publishing business go through tectonic changes. More change in a single decade than in the previous century.
The impact on authors has been and will continue to be seismic. For example, author income has plunged dramatically (while publishers’ earnings have remained remarkably strong – go figure).
It would be easy to see all this as unremittingly bad news. And indeed, there are many reasons to be concerned.
However: let’s always remember this. Humans are hard-wired to consume the stuff that authors produce. While the method of delivery may vary, it is certain that as long as our species exists, we will require the services of authors to entertain and inform us.
It’s just a question of figuring out how it’s all going to work (and how to get paid for it, too).
So… exciting times to live in.
Litopia has been witness to all this: longer than any other writers’ group on the net. And as circumstances have changed, we’ve evolved too.
I believe it’s now time for us to evolve again.
It’s my firm belief that my profession – literary agenting – needs to get with the plan. We are no longer the unquestioned gatekeepers to the publishing engine that we once were; and increasingly, I hear a quiet but insistent voice in my head… how are we actually adding value to the process?
Well, do we add value?
Or do we just interpose ourselves in the chain – and take a slice of someone else’s income?
Litopia, I believe, is what literary agencies should and could become.
A haven for writers.
A place to hone your craft.
A source of business information and marketing advice…. whether you choose to go the traditional publishing route or not.
And more.
I feel we are about to do something very big, and very significant.
Two things are necessary. First, I have to be able to allocate about half my time here. And secondly, Litopia must start to fund itself. The two things are connected.
But we are not about to become a subscription-only site. Actually, rather the reverse: the full range of Litopia’s expanding activities will be available to all members, whether or not they can support us. But I hope – and this really is a leap of faith – that enough members will see the value of what Litopia is doing to want to sustain us.
There will be several ways to do that, starting very modestly. And again, so that there should be absolutely no misunderstanding… We are not putting up a paywall. There will be no “freemium” sleight-of-hand. All Litopians will continue to get unfettered access to everything that Litopia offers, now and in the future.
The above is just a teeny peek into what’s around the corner.
Stay tuned.
But let me fill you in on the background to all this… the way I’ve been thinking.
First as an author, then as a literary agent, I’ve seen the publishing business go through tectonic changes. More change in a single decade than in the previous century.
The impact on authors has been and will continue to be seismic. For example, author income has plunged dramatically (while publishers’ earnings have remained remarkably strong – go figure).
It would be easy to see all this as unremittingly bad news. And indeed, there are many reasons to be concerned.
However: let’s always remember this. Humans are hard-wired to consume the stuff that authors produce. While the method of delivery may vary, it is certain that as long as our species exists, we will require the services of authors to entertain and inform us.
It’s just a question of figuring out how it’s all going to work (and how to get paid for it, too).
So… exciting times to live in.
Litopia has been witness to all this: longer than any other writers’ group on the net. And as circumstances have changed, we’ve evolved too.
I believe it’s now time for us to evolve again.
It’s my firm belief that my profession – literary agenting – needs to get with the plan. We are no longer the unquestioned gatekeepers to the publishing engine that we once were; and increasingly, I hear a quiet but insistent voice in my head… how are we actually adding value to the process?
Well, do we add value?
Or do we just interpose ourselves in the chain – and take a slice of someone else’s income?
Litopia, I believe, is what literary agencies should and could become.
A haven for writers.
A place to hone your craft.
A source of business information and marketing advice…. whether you choose to go the traditional publishing route or not.
And more.
I feel we are about to do something very big, and very significant.
Two things are necessary. First, I have to be able to allocate about half my time here. And secondly, Litopia must start to fund itself. The two things are connected.
But we are not about to become a subscription-only site. Actually, rather the reverse: the full range of Litopia’s expanding activities will be available to all members, whether or not they can support us. But I hope – and this really is a leap of faith – that enough members will see the value of what Litopia is doing to want to sustain us.
There will be several ways to do that, starting very modestly. And again, so that there should be absolutely no misunderstanding… We are not putting up a paywall. There will be no “freemium” sleight-of-hand. All Litopians will continue to get unfettered access to everything that Litopia offers, now and in the future.
The above is just a teeny peek into what’s around the corner.
Stay tuned.
Even so, I will happily pay more than I do already. Creative oases as nurturing as Litopia are rare and should be preserved.
