Posted by Eric Abraham on July 11, 2002 at 13:32:59 from 199.240.138.70 user EricAbraham.
In Reply to: Re: Books - publishers posted by Prue Eckett on July 10, 2002 at 21:20:41:
Yes, there are two sides to each question. It is just a matter for the publisher or any other deceision maker to make a choice, will this fly, or crash. Remember the Ford "Edsel" auto that was introduced in 1958? They spent hundreds of millions on research and p/r. It was to be the perfect car. Failed miserably. That is what the publishers are trying to avoid; but, in the meantime, passing up some really good stuff.
When I was in Art School, in freshman design class, the instructor asked two students to pick out the seven best and seven worst examples of a particular project. Mine wound up in the seven worst. These students got though explaining why the worst were really bad when the period ended. The next day the instructor had two different students pick out the seven worst and seven best of the same project. Mine (the same example) wound up in the seven best - and the different two students explained why it was in that catagory. The point is that all criticism and judging is subjuctive, dependent upon individual aesthetics, knowledge and experience.
I will give publishers a certain amount of credit that they don't want to loose money; but too many publishers, and critics of all stripes tend to look at the negative and are too cautious. I can just see all of the publishers that rejected "Harry Potter" saying, "Gee, Whiz, I could have had that if I hadn't been so afraid!!!!" (I know, not the exact words, but close enough!) It is all a tremendous gamble. Even, when from our (the writer or artist's) side it looks very unfair, we must remember that somewhere, somehow, there is a way to acclaim and wild unmitigated success!! (However that is defined.)
In my own case, I essentially "self published" Joy's little book of poems. So far there are only about 100 copies of this book, but it has a small following of enthusiastic readers of all ages. She also published two small childrens books through a couple of "vanity" publishing firms. She was extremly unhappy with the results and the dealings she had with these companies. She also wound up with boxes of books in her apartment.
Another thing about childrens books is that the purchasers are adults. Two totally diverse groups. I recently went through the childrens section at the largest bookstore in Denver to see what was there. Most were very slick and tight - very "professional" - both illustrations (which are the main body of the book) and the stories.
I think that the vast majority of people in the business end of the arts are too concerned with the bottom line, these people tend to be followers of trends. This, to a certain extent, has to be; but the really enlightened (there are some out there!) arts administrators do (thank goodness!) LEAD instead of follow, they ARE the trend setters, the avant guarde, the notable ones. We just need them to find us - or maybe us to find them!
EA