Why publish?
It occurred to me a long time ago that writers are a peculiar bunch. Alone among the creative arts, writers are obsessed with professional acknowledgment. They desperately want to get published from their earliest days, which is why self-publication and “small press” publications have been so popular. Because for whatever reason, writers don’t feel like they’re genuinely writers unless their work is available commercially.
Why?
If you’re broke, the answer is obvious. You want money. But I’ll be upfront and say the numbers don’t bear out. Most writers make less from their writing than they would with a part-time gig at McDonald’s. Maybe financial success in publishing is more likely than winning the lottery, but only just.
But what if you’re not broke? What if you write because you love it? Why bother publishing? Is it an ego thing? I’m sincerely asking because I don’t understand the need, even though I feel it.
As recently as six months ago, I considered pursuing additional publication credits with the big names. I was doing the whole agent treadmill, submitting and waiting to hear back, not realizing two things: 1) I don’t have to do that anymore, and 2) I don’t want to do that anymore.
I like being read, but that doesn’t require publication. So, maybe it’s time to consider what motivates you. If it’s cash, then you’re on the wrong track. If it’s ego, that’s also a waste.
Give it some thought, won’t you?