Then again, we cannot discount the terrible situation our economy is in right now. Everything seen as a commodity, and the literary industry falls in that category (when you measure what is being bought, sold and traded) will be scrutinized for the bottom line to be met. And this will have effect on authors that may or may not be retained on rosters down to what books are released for greater profit margins. This is a no-brainer to me because as a businessman myself, I readily understand that when we don’t control our resources and products we fall victim to circumstantial issues that seem to effect us most. In reference to this, and the topic of this discussion is to understand that companies and publishers are now cognizant of what they put out to get the maximum out of the product.

In my opinion too, there have been absolutely too many books on the market from authors who haven’t done their homework, who don’t research their topical themes, who don’t learn the craft of writing, and who don’t understand that this is a business like any other where hard decisions are made for the benefit of the establishment. Every so often a weeding out process is needed to bring stability back, or to even balance the scales so that quality is never compromised for quantity. Albeit, the quantity that you may be used to! So when you think deep enough on this subject, know that there are reasons and rhymes that contribute to the method for the madness. The publishing industry is cyclical and quirky in a sense on how they conduct business…and until we as a united people willing to form coalitions and network better, we will always be in this predicament worrying and wondering why the establishment conducts business that seem to effect us more.

In closing, it’s not so much as fewer titles inasmuch as it concerns me that authors are not writing enough quality books in a generic sense.

In my opinion too, there have been absolutely too many books on the market from authors who haven’t done their homework, who don’t research their topical themes, who don’t learn the craft of writing, and who don’t understand that this is a business like any other where hard decisions are made for the benefit of the establishment.

Hey Alvin and good seeing you ova here…thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

Shelia´s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday #2

I do not do movies and cigarettes .

I guess shoes would be the first to go

As for what would I give up, I’ve already given up all that I can. I rarely go to the movies, I need shoes and clothes and I don’t drink or smoke. At this point, I’m cutting on the eating out. Less Starbucks and cheaper lunches when I eat out. I’m teleworking more, so I’m saving gas (that’s a blessing from my new boss). I’m trying to cut back on my utility use in my home (meaning looking for waste, like lights on in empty rooms and such). I’m honestly buying more books than I’ve ever bought in my life. At least 5 a month and really I need to cut back on that, but I’ve made friends with so many authors and I really try to support people’s work. I’m praying it will be reciprical.

Having never had a release in the fall, I’m not real familiar w/it, but I know that this is supposed to be when the “serious” books get released (& movies to for that matter). Your Toni Morrisons and Philip Roths hit in the fall.

Carleen´s last blog post..While we’re on poetry….

Darnetta´s last blog post..The Write Way #2 Editors

Downside, Black owned stores may not survive.

Khadejah…I’m so feeling you on this one.

Given that the economy sucks, and everyone needs to cutback, which of these pleasures would you give up first? Dining out.

Which one would you give up last? Internet.