The Slush Pile -- Another Extinct Dinosaur

There was an article in the Wall Street Journal recently, written by Katherine Rosman. The article was about some writers' shiniest dream and gloomiest nightmare. It's that repository of rapidly diminishing hope: the traditional publisher's slush pile. That's the enormous pile of unsolicited manuscripts that publishers and editors -- in the good old days -- waded through in their search for the next BEST SELLER.

Alas, the Slush Pile today is, for all practical purposes, extinct. None of the big traditional publishers will even accept manuscripts unless they come from reputable agents, preferably agents that work out of NYC or LA. And trying to get an agent, as some of us FWA-ers know all too well, is just as hard as trying to hook up with a traditional publisher. That's one of the main reasons so many writers are using independent publishers, or small presses, or POD publishers. They're about the only ones accessible to non-famous writers anymore.

For instance, Katherine Rosman says, 1991 "was the last time Random House, the largest publisher in the U.S., remembers publishing anything found in a slush pile. Today, Random House and most of its major counterparts refuse to accept unsolicited material."

For those of us who are not counting -- 1991 was almost 20 years ago!

Rosman goes on to say, "Book publishers say it is now too expensive to pay employees to read slush that rarely is worthy of publication.

"A primary aim of the slush pile," Rosman continues, "used to be to discover unpublished voices. But today, writing talent isn't necessarily enough. It helps to have a big-media affiliation, or be effective on TV."

Laurence J. Kirshbaum, former CEO of Time Warner Book Group and now an agent says, "From a publisher's standpoint, the marketing considerations ... now often outweigh the editorial ones."

Kirshbaum the agent goes on to say, "We are being more selective in taking on clients because the publishers are demanding much more from the authors than ever before."

Rosman also quotes Jim Levine at Levine Greenberg Literary Agency. "These days, you need to deliver not just the manuscript but the audience ... More and more, the mantra in publishing is 'Ask not what your publisher can do for you, ask what you can do for your publisher.' "

Are things different on the web? Is marketing much easier and quicker and more efficient and effective for writers today?

Rosman says, "In 2008, HarperCollins launched Authonomy.com, a Web slush pile. Writers can upload their manuscripts, readers vote for their favorites, and HarperCollins editors read the five highest-rated manuscripts each month. About 10,000 manuscripts have been loaded so far and Harper Collins has bought 4."

"One slush stalwart," Rosman says, "the Paris Review, has college interns and graduate students in the magazine's Tribeca loft-office read the 1,000 unsolicited works submitted each month. Each story is read by at least two people. If one likes it and the other doesn't it is read by a third ... The [Paris Review] literary journal publishes one piece from the slush pile each year. That leaves each unsolicited submission a .008% chance of rising to the top of the pile."

If you want more bad, but nonetheless realistic news about writing, about traditional publishing, and about slush piles, you can contact the Wall Street Journal's Katherine Rosman at Katherine.rosman@wsj.com.

Posted by
Russ Heitz
http://www.russheitz.com/

Chilly Night, Warm Gathering

Despite the chilly weather this past Wednesday night, we had a great turnout for our "reading meeting" and the atmosphere (and camaraderie) inside the firehouse was definitely warmer than outside.

We had three visitors--Steve, Brenda and Judith--who shared with us a bit of their background as well as their writing goals. Steve also shared with us the opening chapter of his work-in-progress mystery novel which definitely generated a good jolt of opening suspense. We do hope all three of them will continue to join us at future meetings.

We also had a lot of regulars among the 20+ attendees and nearly all of them brought something to read. A few folks showed up whom we haven't seen for awhile. Bart Stamper and Linda Malloy have been out of town doing other things.

Bart gave us a special treat this time. In addition to another one of his sensitive and powerful pieces related to the Vietnam War, he also shared with us a very funny piece about his current employment at a nuclear power plant. Doesn't sound like a funny topic but his treatment definitely was.

Weslynn McCallister read the opening chapters of her latest novel, which is definitely off to an intriguing start. Joe Porter gave us a few more of his powerful poems about the people of Appalachia. Joanne read a heart rending story from her new book, SHORT TAKES ON LIFE. Peter read some new poetry and a few short "experimental" pieces; all done with his usual delicate touch and vivid imagery. Sharon read another one of her hilarious poems, this time about a city girl who moves to the hillbilly mountains. Dewey read another boating-related story, plus an account of the Normandy landing during WWII.

I know I've forgotten some others who also read so we'll try to give you folks a double recognition next time.

Overall, it was a very productive meeting, one that everyone seemed to enjoy. Thanks again to all of you, for braving the frigid weather and for enduring the not-as-warm-as-it-should-have-been meeting room.

Our next meeting will be on the 20th; same time, same place. Keep in mind, too, that we'll be taking a collection at that time. We are suggesting a $5.00 contribution from everyone. This money will go directly to the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department for generously allowing us to use their room for another year.

Posted by
Russ Heitz
www.russheitz.com