Advice for Aspiring Writers
By Lori Wilde
©2005 Lori Wilde. All Rights Reserved.
I was at a book signing the other day and an aspiring author came over to speak with me. I was enjoying our conversation and eager to help her learn the ropes. But when she said that she buys all her books at the used bookstore because she can’t afford to buy new. I was stunned.
While I certainly can understand budget constraints, a writer can’t afford not to buy new (unless, of course, the book is out of print) and here’s why.
- One day it’s going to be you sitting at that autographing desk. How will you feel when someone tells you they’re waiting until your book is available at the used bookstore?
- Booksellers deserve to make a living too!
- Publishers keep saying the book market is soft. That means it’s harder for new authors to break in. The only way to keep our business prosperous is to buy new books. If you want a future as a writer, then you must support the industry.
I’m not talking about readers here. I understand why the cost of books sends them to used bookstore. I have no problem with used bookstores. Even the ‘buy used’ sign on Amazon doesn’t get my hackles up. But for an aspiring author buying used when they could buy new is a case of biting the hand that feeds you. Please, for all of us, find somewhere else to scrimp.
Writers have no formal training. We’re lucky. We don’t have to pay college tuition or purchase text books. View buying new as the cost of your education. Believe it or not, it’s an investment in you.