Let me begin by saying I am not anti-agent, nor anti-editor. I believe what James Owens said at a recent panel, “My editor makes me look good!” with all my heart. I am all for allies in this crazy venture I hope to launch one day. I do not want them to go away, and I hope that they never do.
It’s just that the articles I’ve read are missing what I see as a key factor, and I want to put in my two cents.
When I’m not editing, I’ve been reading a lot of articles about the need for “gatekeepers” in publishing. Currently that means agents and editors who keep the unwashed masses of bad writers away from the reading public. The fear is that with the advent of e-publishing, a way has been found to get around the gatekeepers. It’s just a trickle now, but soon it will be a flood. Editors talk of the dangers of reading slush. Writers talk about how hard it will be to find anything worth reading. Nathan Bransford is more optimistic, but it seems most think he’s wrong.
I’m not buying it. I’m with Nathan, and I’ll tell you why.
Just as you are not currently reading the first page of every single book in the library before choosing which to check out, finding e-published books worth reading will not be wading through the swamps of primeval North Carolina. For one, there won’t be killer mosquitoes big enough to carry off your dog. Also, there will be guideposts. Compass directions, if you will, to aid you in your treasure hunt.
For example, some brilliant person invented these amazing things called tags, and someone else recommended lists, and these exist to help you find just exactly what you’re looking for. Their use is already prevalent, and can be expanded pretty simply.
Now, I have to say: I’m not what most would consider an expert. I’m not an agent. I’m not an editor. I’m not even a published writer. But what I am–is a reader of fanfic.
Ever try to find a good fanfic to read? Let’s say you just can’t get enough Firefly, and you’re not okay with it being gone forever.¹ You need MOAR. Simple enough. Probably the easiest way is to start on Twitter or Facebook and type “looking for some good Firefly-fic. No slash please!”² If your friends have similar tastes to yours, I bet you get a rec or three. In the publishing business, this is called word-of-mouth, and it’s invaluable.
Now your friends’ recommendations give you a start, and you don’t have to read any slush (unless your friends are idiots, in which case get new friends). You read what they suggest. Some stories you love, some you don’t–just like with any published book you might be handed.³ But you want MOAR. Very quickly your appetite exceeds that of your friends and you need to find a new supplier.
Hey, that author of the best fic you read has an LJ. And on that LJ, you click the tag “Firefly” and find more stories she wrote. And then you find her rec list.
You read everything she recommended. You need MOAR.
Join a support group. Not a “get off the fic” group, a “find a fic” group. They exist. For every fandom, pretty much, there are fans out there talking about it and about good stories and everything they love. At this point in our hypothetical journey, you’ve probably already stumbled across a few in your search for good stuff. Think that won’t/doesn’t happen for books? I think you’re wrong. Check out LibraryThing.4
Fanfic is a mixed bag, of course, but I say so is publishing. You have to watch your step in fandom, but not any more than you do on say, Powells.com. A book being published does not guarantee it being right for you, for heaven’s sake. Do you just go and buy whatever book happens to pop up when you land on their homepage?
I’m betting no. I’m thinking you’re like me, with good friends and trusted critics already packed sardine-like into your compass. We, as readers, already have our gatekeepers.5
¹ Who is?
² Can’t say I blame you. I love slash, but I never want to read Mal tossing over Inara to sex up Jayne. Just…NO.
³ I mean, a friend tried to get me to read Twilight. Knowing that I don’t do vampires, don’t care for ‘romantic’ romance, can’t stand decorative females, and have high standards regarding basic use of language. Meyer can’t decide what tense she’s in. Uh…NO. Her anime recommendations are dead on. Same with fanfic. Book recs? Not so much. This is important to know about a friend.
4 That’s my profile. Say hi!
5 As writers, on the other hand…we really need those agents and editors as keymasters. But that is a whole other post.