Very insightful and inspiring as usual. You are truly a visionary, Elle. Looking forward to read your novel. Thanks for sharing. I learned a lot and got very excited about the future. Thomas J Bevan’s Soaring Twenties are real.
P.S. I have started thinking of novelising a screenplay I have been writing for some time, which I had never thought of before. Thanks for this also.🙏
I finally got a chance to read this in full. Your ideas for immersing readers in your story's aesthetic is so goddamn brilliant. Not once have I even considered that my story isn't just words on a page or a Netflix adaptation. It's an experience. One that readers probably want to immerse themselves in (just as much as you do)! :> You've somehow brought back that imaginative, child-like aspect of storytelling and I'm 100% freaking onboard.
P.S.: Guess I could find a way for readers to fight off my assassin-sibling-MCs in some sorta Virtual Reality simulation... Time to deep dive. Thanks again, Elle. I love your mind! <3
Yes, yes, yes!!!!!!!! I love the way the gears are turning. As writers we get to fully immerse ourselves in our stories--why not let our readers do it too!!!!!
I explored Reedsy's publishing platform a while ago and it looks like they've cracked the code - from a developmental point of view, at least. Reedsy lets you write your story in their environment and then find editors and other important people through the same platform, merging the process. If they could integrate a publishing/reader view, I think they could really take off.
Yeah, Reedsy has a very nice, mature setup. If they did add a 'reader' aspect that could get very interesting very quickly. Though their focus seems to be very much on the craft/pre-publishing end atm.
I've learned so much from your work, Elle. Thank you. It will be interesting to see how whatever models emerge work across genres and older audiences or if this will remain a dream that best fits a younger reader of particular kinds of fiction. In any event, I agree with Terrell. I have not seen the level of detailed analysis combined with very readable prose anywhere else. Again, thank you!
I know, I do think the crossover is the Kindle/Glose experience, which should definitely be part of the mix. I definitely plan on releasing my book on Kindle after the whole serialization experience, which will allow it to reach another audience. But I think eventually those platforms can exist in the same place (or at least I hope so!)
This was fascinating! I would love if the future of these platforms also included 'agents' or 'editors' who watch out for and guide authors on the platform. I feel like these collaborations can make all the difference in a work's longevity.
Interesting! What kind of role would an agent take in this world? Help the self-published author market their work and grow their audience? I suppose editing/marketing services could be baked into the platform’s “take” if an author wants it, similar to how Patreon provides merch to members for an extra percentage of sales?
Yes! I imagine them being hired 'in house' for the platforms and similar to the Patreon/merch scheme, writers could maybe 'opt in' to it. I could see it being beneficial from a mentorship perspective, as well. However, as with all the best mentorships, both parties would probably need to agree to a sort of minimum standard for accountability for what the relationship would look like.
Another fascinating article, Elle, my mind is blown with all the possibilities that are/may be coming our way - the question is how best to direct our energies, as writers, to make the most of the different platforms etc - where to begin 🤷🏼♀️😂
I know! For me, I feel pretty solidified in my plan to serialize via Substack with additional Patreon tiers and a Discord community, then once the serialization period has ended I’ll put it up on Wattpad and Inkitt and KDP to expand its reach as I serialize the next one. But the industry could change fast so we’ll see what happens!
Brilliant, as usual. You are absolutely correct. There are a lot of apps and websites that have a piece of the puzzle, but no one has made it all into one cohesive, easy-to-manage experience/product. I believe direct support of creatives is the future, but it has to be far easier for both the supporter and the creative. We are not there yet. It is still way too hard. Let's hope someone with your extraordinary vision reads this and decides to create it. And writers embrace it.
The risk I see from a 'one platform to rule them all' approach is that we'll then find ourselves back in the same boat of relying on a single organisation/publisher. The dispersed stack at the moment is irritating and time consuming but also has a sensible amount of redundancy built-in. We don't have to overly rely on any one system, so if, say, Substack, or Wattpad, or Patreon change something which causes problems it doesn't result in everything tumbling down in one go.
If something emerges which combines all these things, we're in a 'all the eggs in one basket' scenario that becomes considerably riskier. You also end up in a Big 4 situation, just in a new context.
Perhaps it needs to be done in an open manner, separated from the interests of a corporate entity. Where the platform can exist independently of its managerial organisation. I'm not sure how or what that would be exactly, though.....
Yes, I agree. In an ideal world, it would be amazing if that platform was provided by the library. Sort of a replacement for their Libby/ebook library setup. But that would require the right investor...
I especially like the idea of sharing research irt with potential readers, although there would be a great possibility of overload and fatigue. For both the writer and the reader. And also meeting the readers' expectations once the book is written. And it sounds like the book would need to be written quickly. Or maybe this "we're fulltime buds" is just what writers need to finish their books. Certainly this might work for more extraverted writers. Keep thinking because the future is you.
Yes, I admit, I haven’t figured out how to do it all sustainably yet. I think it will just take some trial and error to figure out what works (and what doesn’t)! ☺️
I appreciate the confidence, but honestly, I'm just as skeptical! The success stories in this industry are small no matter which way you shake it. Alas, I am a hopeless romantic for the (imaginary) life of a full-time author...
I have many thoughts on this, but have a hard time condensing them into a coherent proposition, but I’ll try. I think traditional publishing, like all aspects of culture, has been politicized in such a way that the industry has hindered its ability to take risks on talent. It prefers absolute adherence to narrow genre codes with little to no parallel with the world we experience. It’s Harry Potter or Hail Mary (good books in their categories) for all and in all. That is to say, formulaic genre is all. This would be fine if it weren’t ubiquitous. All of the apps in the world will only marginally improve content. I don’t like the idea that narrative must adapt to technology, (mainly because the technology we are expected to use seems to truncate narrative), but I understand that this is the new world order. I’ve given up the idea of being an indie success. I’ve seen the biases within the publishing and agenting worlds to know that who I am and what I’m offering does not fall within their interests. I do like your idea of serializing a novel again, and Substack seems a great forum for that. I might do it with my next book. I appreciate your insights and heroic attempt to figure out this system. It is the only way, I believe, but I’m too disillusioned at this point to keep searching for the rivulet into the stream.
It’s true that traditional publishing doesn’t take risks, but that’s why self publishing can—and we’re only at the beginning of what we can do. I think narrative will adapt to technology, but also that technology will adapt to narrative, which isn’t so bad. 🥰 As these platforms become more mainstream, there will be more genres represented and more quality content proliferated. Which is all to say that you should definitely try serializing via Substack!
This is visionary, Elle! It makes me dream new possibilities. Maybe I'll stop chasing traditional publication and serialuze my current book series instead. I have 3 of the books written already...
Your dad is right: you DO think differently than other folks, and I, for one, love it. I love the ideas, love love love the wholesale embrace of a future that personally terrifies me, and love the fact that you express the possibilities of that future so passionately. I'm a huge fan, and my fingers, eyes, and knees are crossed that you are right, and at long last, we can excise the cancer of traditional publishing.
My only concern about this future is that high concept books, books with Big Ideas might not find the audience they deserve amid the glittery vampire boys and western paranormal romances. If we whet our fictional appetites on this kind of fast-food fare ... but I am, perhaps, being too pessimistic. Maybe the whole point is to just keep people reading. Honestly, I don't know.
But it WILL get more niche. That's a given. And authors will have to decide whether they want the "prestige" of "being chosen" for traditional publication, or if they want to keep the damn lights on. What a terrible choice to have to make. With all my heart, I wish that more financial support was given to artists, writers, musicians, dancers, including affordable housing. I moved to Italy for that reason. I could no longer afford to live in the United States and continue to write. Think about that a minute.
I love your thoughts, Elle! Keep them coming. You are appreciated.
Totally hear where you're coming from, but I think there's cause for optimism, rather than pessimism, about this part of what you pointed out: "... that high concept books, books with Big Ideas might not find the audience they deserve amid the glittery vampire boys and western paranormal romances."
Actually, I think the new technologies and platforms Elle points out might actually be perfect for these kinds of books, as they'll allow for conversation around the ideas in them to be connected to the book itself, rather than to happen only on other platforms (like Twitter, etc.).
I do think there will be much more genres available on these apps in the future and we won’t be limited to paranormal romance 😂 🧛🏻♀️. They’re only so YA focused right now because Gen Z are the early adopters. As the apps become more mainstream they will attract more literary writers. And perhaps they will offer financial support as well—I know Substack is already working on how they can provide health insurance and other benefits to make writing as a career more viable! (Though moving to Italy doesn’t sound like a bad idea either! 😍)
I'll agree with you on basically everything, and it's great that such great stories will have a future. Though it's also kind of sad that the wonderful finds like the vintage AIWL from your last post are going to be in shorter and shorter supply. If I want to read a book, I want to read a book goddamn it. I'm becoming more of a boomer with every passing year. I want to read. Not play a game. Not have my crotch shot with a bolt of electricity in every erotic scene that comes up. Not see what my aunt thinks of the literary prose that pretentious lit-students enjoy. Just paper and ink, nothing more. I hope that there's still room for that.
If that future's secure, then f*ck yeah I'll take the shock to the groin and heart when reading the latest YA-vampire-erotica novel they'll come up with. Why not?
I don’t think physical books will go away. But I do think they will become less the product, and more the novelty. Something you buy after the book has already come out as a sort of collectors item. (The leather-bound edition of Brandon Sanderson’s book comes to mind. Which raised close to $7 million on Kickstarter.) I definitely want to have a hardback copy of my favorite novels, which is why I’ll be producing a hardback edition of my book!
That does sound like a future I'd agree with, haha. Love the look of those books, funny you'd bring those up! Where will you sell your hardback book, any thoughts?
I cannot wait to read your fiction, but I just wanted to say too -- you're a seriously amazing journalist and analyst. This is FAR better, more substantive, thoughtful and nuanced, than anything I've ever read about the publishing industry in the WSJ, NYT, etc. This is first-rate reporting and insight.
Very insightful and inspiring as usual. You are truly a visionary, Elle. Looking forward to read your novel. Thanks for sharing. I learned a lot and got very excited about the future. Thomas J Bevan’s Soaring Twenties are real.
P.S. I have started thinking of novelising a screenplay I have been writing for some time, which I had never thought of before. Thanks for this also.🙏
Thank you so much John! And I'm all about the screenplay idea!
Update: I have now begun to serialize my thrillers on Patreon.
https://www.patreon.com/thejonathanEpps?fan_landing=true
Downside? The site doesn't promote your page, having a fanbase is pretty much a prerequisite. I'm doing it anyway and promoting it wherever I can.
Question: Should I also serialize the book here for free?
So exciting!
Yes, whether you go with Patreon or Substack, you still have to do the marketing (there's no way around that, I'm afraid).
You could serialize on Substack for free, with the opportunity to read ahead on Patreon (early access)?
I like that early access idea. Thanks!
Yep!
I finally got a chance to read this in full. Your ideas for immersing readers in your story's aesthetic is so goddamn brilliant. Not once have I even considered that my story isn't just words on a page or a Netflix adaptation. It's an experience. One that readers probably want to immerse themselves in (just as much as you do)! :> You've somehow brought back that imaginative, child-like aspect of storytelling and I'm 100% freaking onboard.
P.S.: Guess I could find a way for readers to fight off my assassin-sibling-MCs in some sorta Virtual Reality simulation... Time to deep dive. Thanks again, Elle. I love your mind! <3
Yes, yes, yes!!!!!!!! I love the way the gears are turning. As writers we get to fully immerse ourselves in our stories--why not let our readers do it too!!!!!
"My utopian fiction world quakes with each new addition to an author’s tech stack." Amen.
I explored Reedsy's publishing platform a while ago and it looks like they've cracked the code - from a developmental point of view, at least. Reedsy lets you write your story in their environment and then find editors and other important people through the same platform, merging the process. If they could integrate a publishing/reader view, I think they could really take off.
Thank you for bringing that to my attention! Adding to my "need to check out" list!
Yeah, Reedsy has a very nice, mature setup. If they did add a 'reader' aspect that could get very interesting very quickly. Though their focus seems to be very much on the craft/pre-publishing end atm.
I've learned so much from your work, Elle. Thank you. It will be interesting to see how whatever models emerge work across genres and older audiences or if this will remain a dream that best fits a younger reader of particular kinds of fiction. In any event, I agree with Terrell. I have not seen the level of detailed analysis combined with very readable prose anywhere else. Again, thank you!
I know, I do think the crossover is the Kindle/Glose experience, which should definitely be part of the mix. I definitely plan on releasing my book on Kindle after the whole serialization experience, which will allow it to reach another audience. But I think eventually those platforms can exist in the same place (or at least I hope so!)
This was fascinating! I would love if the future of these platforms also included 'agents' or 'editors' who watch out for and guide authors on the platform. I feel like these collaborations can make all the difference in a work's longevity.
Interesting! What kind of role would an agent take in this world? Help the self-published author market their work and grow their audience? I suppose editing/marketing services could be baked into the platform’s “take” if an author wants it, similar to how Patreon provides merch to members for an extra percentage of sales?
Yes! I imagine them being hired 'in house' for the platforms and similar to the Patreon/merch scheme, writers could maybe 'opt in' to it. I could see it being beneficial from a mentorship perspective, as well. However, as with all the best mentorships, both parties would probably need to agree to a sort of minimum standard for accountability for what the relationship would look like.
Oh that could definitely be enticing to writers (and probably editors too!)
Another fascinating article, Elle, my mind is blown with all the possibilities that are/may be coming our way - the question is how best to direct our energies, as writers, to make the most of the different platforms etc - where to begin 🤷🏼♀️😂
I know! For me, I feel pretty solidified in my plan to serialize via Substack with additional Patreon tiers and a Discord community, then once the serialization period has ended I’ll put it up on Wattpad and Inkitt and KDP to expand its reach as I serialize the next one. But the industry could change fast so we’ll see what happens!
And to Mark’s point, this is a lot. Let’s hope there will be one platform to rule them all soon 😂
Brilliant, as usual. You are absolutely correct. There are a lot of apps and websites that have a piece of the puzzle, but no one has made it all into one cohesive, easy-to-manage experience/product. I believe direct support of creatives is the future, but it has to be far easier for both the supporter and the creative. We are not there yet. It is still way too hard. Let's hope someone with your extraordinary vision reads this and decides to create it. And writers embrace it.
Yes, very much hoping for one platform to rule them all!!! We’ll see what happens!
The risk I see from a 'one platform to rule them all' approach is that we'll then find ourselves back in the same boat of relying on a single organisation/publisher. The dispersed stack at the moment is irritating and time consuming but also has a sensible amount of redundancy built-in. We don't have to overly rely on any one system, so if, say, Substack, or Wattpad, or Patreon change something which causes problems it doesn't result in everything tumbling down in one go.
If something emerges which combines all these things, we're in a 'all the eggs in one basket' scenario that becomes considerably riskier. You also end up in a Big 4 situation, just in a new context.
Perhaps it needs to be done in an open manner, separated from the interests of a corporate entity. Where the platform can exist independently of its managerial organisation. I'm not sure how or what that would be exactly, though.....
Yes, I agree. In an ideal world, it would be amazing if that platform was provided by the library. Sort of a replacement for their Libby/ebook library setup. But that would require the right investor...
I especially like the idea of sharing research irt with potential readers, although there would be a great possibility of overload and fatigue. For both the writer and the reader. And also meeting the readers' expectations once the book is written. And it sounds like the book would need to be written quickly. Or maybe this "we're fulltime buds" is just what writers need to finish their books. Certainly this might work for more extraverted writers. Keep thinking because the future is you.
Yes, I admit, I haven’t figured out how to do it all sustainably yet. I think it will just take some trial and error to figure out what works (and what doesn’t)! ☺️
I'm a big fan of fail fast, but I haven't seen it work yet with writing/promoting histfic. But you could make it happen :)
I appreciate the confidence, but honestly, I'm just as skeptical! The success stories in this industry are small no matter which way you shake it. Alas, I am a hopeless romantic for the (imaginary) life of a full-time author...
I have many thoughts on this, but have a hard time condensing them into a coherent proposition, but I’ll try. I think traditional publishing, like all aspects of culture, has been politicized in such a way that the industry has hindered its ability to take risks on talent. It prefers absolute adherence to narrow genre codes with little to no parallel with the world we experience. It’s Harry Potter or Hail Mary (good books in their categories) for all and in all. That is to say, formulaic genre is all. This would be fine if it weren’t ubiquitous. All of the apps in the world will only marginally improve content. I don’t like the idea that narrative must adapt to technology, (mainly because the technology we are expected to use seems to truncate narrative), but I understand that this is the new world order. I’ve given up the idea of being an indie success. I’ve seen the biases within the publishing and agenting worlds to know that who I am and what I’m offering does not fall within their interests. I do like your idea of serializing a novel again, and Substack seems a great forum for that. I might do it with my next book. I appreciate your insights and heroic attempt to figure out this system. It is the only way, I believe, but I’m too disillusioned at this point to keep searching for the rivulet into the stream.
It’s true that traditional publishing doesn’t take risks, but that’s why self publishing can—and we’re only at the beginning of what we can do. I think narrative will adapt to technology, but also that technology will adapt to narrative, which isn’t so bad. 🥰 As these platforms become more mainstream, there will be more genres represented and more quality content proliferated. Which is all to say that you should definitely try serializing via Substack!
I might try serializing my thrillers on Patreon.
Yes, do it!
Hope lives!
YES! I REFUSE TO NOT HOPE!
This is visionary, Elle! It makes me dream new possibilities. Maybe I'll stop chasing traditional publication and serialuze my current book series instead. I have 3 of the books written already...
Yes! Start with one and see how it goes. You really have nothing to lose.
Very true, Terrell. I'll wait until the current agent rejection arrives, though!
YOU SHOULD
Your dad is right: you DO think differently than other folks, and I, for one, love it. I love the ideas, love love love the wholesale embrace of a future that personally terrifies me, and love the fact that you express the possibilities of that future so passionately. I'm a huge fan, and my fingers, eyes, and knees are crossed that you are right, and at long last, we can excise the cancer of traditional publishing.
My only concern about this future is that high concept books, books with Big Ideas might not find the audience they deserve amid the glittery vampire boys and western paranormal romances. If we whet our fictional appetites on this kind of fast-food fare ... but I am, perhaps, being too pessimistic. Maybe the whole point is to just keep people reading. Honestly, I don't know.
But it WILL get more niche. That's a given. And authors will have to decide whether they want the "prestige" of "being chosen" for traditional publication, or if they want to keep the damn lights on. What a terrible choice to have to make. With all my heart, I wish that more financial support was given to artists, writers, musicians, dancers, including affordable housing. I moved to Italy for that reason. I could no longer afford to live in the United States and continue to write. Think about that a minute.
I love your thoughts, Elle! Keep them coming. You are appreciated.
Totally hear where you're coming from, but I think there's cause for optimism, rather than pessimism, about this part of what you pointed out: "... that high concept books, books with Big Ideas might not find the audience they deserve amid the glittery vampire boys and western paranormal romances."
Actually, I think the new technologies and platforms Elle points out might actually be perfect for these kinds of books, as they'll allow for conversation around the ideas in them to be connected to the book itself, rather than to happen only on other platforms (like Twitter, etc.).
Yes, I second all of this.
I do think there will be much more genres available on these apps in the future and we won’t be limited to paranormal romance 😂 🧛🏻♀️. They’re only so YA focused right now because Gen Z are the early adopters. As the apps become more mainstream they will attract more literary writers. And perhaps they will offer financial support as well—I know Substack is already working on how they can provide health insurance and other benefits to make writing as a career more viable! (Though moving to Italy doesn’t sound like a bad idea either! 😍)
(Also thank you so much for your very kind words!)
I'll agree with you on basically everything, and it's great that such great stories will have a future. Though it's also kind of sad that the wonderful finds like the vintage AIWL from your last post are going to be in shorter and shorter supply. If I want to read a book, I want to read a book goddamn it. I'm becoming more of a boomer with every passing year. I want to read. Not play a game. Not have my crotch shot with a bolt of electricity in every erotic scene that comes up. Not see what my aunt thinks of the literary prose that pretentious lit-students enjoy. Just paper and ink, nothing more. I hope that there's still room for that.
If that future's secure, then f*ck yeah I'll take the shock to the groin and heart when reading the latest YA-vampire-erotica novel they'll come up with. Why not?
I don’t think physical books will go away. But I do think they will become less the product, and more the novelty. Something you buy after the book has already come out as a sort of collectors item. (The leather-bound edition of Brandon Sanderson’s book comes to mind. Which raised close to $7 million on Kickstarter.) I definitely want to have a hardback copy of my favorite novels, which is why I’ll be producing a hardback edition of my book!
That does sound like a future I'd agree with, haha. Love the look of those books, funny you'd bring those up! Where will you sell your hardback book, any thoughts?
Probably via Patreon! Though I may decide to use the higher level Substack pricing tier. I have one more month to figure that part out 😊
No pressure
I cannot wait to read your fiction, but I just wanted to say too -- you're a seriously amazing journalist and analyst. This is FAR better, more substantive, thoughtful and nuanced, than anything I've ever read about the publishing industry in the WSJ, NYT, etc. This is first-rate reporting and insight.
Wow, thank you!
I'm not even joking. It's happening.