The industry is sluggish beyond belief. I've finished first drafts of an entire six-book saga for children while sporadically submitting the first to agents. Their websites make perfectly clear - without specifically saying that - "We're only looking at manuscripts by authors with 'diverse voices' right now." My villain's fictional species is made of dark matter and is therefore unavoidably black. I'm white and male. There's little point submitting the book any more. At least my daughter and her friends have loved it - and to be honest, even if the whole world had read my stories, those opinions would be the only ones that really matter. I write because I enjoy other people's stories and enjoy spinning my own. It has nothing to do with fame and only a fool would write dreaming of riches. But nothing is more important than stories. We learn vicariously through stories, and stories are all we leave behind.
Ahhhhhh! To be continued! 🤣 One reason I haven't written my novel idea is just this sort of shenanigans. But then. I should write for me.
I hope you explore the burgeoning world of self publishing as well. Your opinion on the matter would be of great interest.
The industry is sluggish beyond belief. I've finished first drafts of an entire six-book saga for children while sporadically submitting the first to agents. Their websites make perfectly clear - without specifically saying that - "We're only looking at manuscripts by authors with 'diverse voices' right now." My villain's fictional species is made of dark matter and is therefore unavoidably black. I'm white and male. There's little point submitting the book any more. At least my daughter and her friends have loved it - and to be honest, even if the whole world had read my stories, those opinions would be the only ones that really matter. I write because I enjoy other people's stories and enjoy spinning my own. It has nothing to do with fame and only a fool would write dreaming of riches. But nothing is more important than stories. We learn vicariously through stories, and stories are all we leave behind.
The one certain exception to "Kill the lawyers!" A recommended vice(sic!) of reason.