Purposeful Prose Advice Column: Writing For Fame?

Dear Purposeful Prose, 

Why is it a bad thing to want to write for fame or money? A lot of people bash the idea and say it’s unrealistic. I also get shamed for not writing “for the joy of it”, and if I’m writing for money, I’m clearly not writing for any other fulfillment. I do a lot of writing, I love to write, and I’m good at it. Why should I not get paid for it? Why can that not be a goal of mine? People who have gotten famous for writing exist, and I understand that it won’t happen right away. It’s just a goal I’m trying to work towards. I just don’t get why that’s such a bad thing. 

Everyone writes for different reasons, and I don’t see anything inherently wrong with your ambition. 

There are a lot of writing-related goals that aren’t the most realistic. While books, even debuts, can attain bestseller status, it’s difficult to get to that stage. 

When I first emerged as a book editor, many of my first clients reached out saying that they had bestseller-worthy material. They knew that if they purchased editing services, got their book into the hands of the right agent, they would be able to earn enough passive income through royalties to sustain themselves. 

I was able to work with some of them, but there were a few problems: 

• Some of them weren’t concerned with improving the quality of their writing as much as they were with the sellability of their writing. The “write for joy” crowd tends to center on this point, feeling that the writing won’t be good if it’s only being written to sell. The reality is in the middle. A person can write to sell their work and consistently aim to improve their writing if they’re dedicated to the craft. The profession of writing demands dedication to improvement and some level of versatility. Market research on comparable texts, for example, can help an author to understand what readers might be looking for in a book like theirs. On the other hand, the focus shouldn’t solely be on what’s selling. It’s just as important to develop your own, original material.
  

• Some were resistant to making changes that fell beyond proofreading. When push comes to shove, editors like myself need to respond to what the client wants. It’s difficult to spend a great deal of time on a project and, ultimately, subject it to change. It is possible for editors to make choices that don’t align with what a manuscript needs. That said, when a writer brings an editor on, it is with hope that they take on a collaborator who has your, the readers’, and the manuscript’s best interests in mind. Proofreading is an essential step for readability, but if you have an editor who gives substantive feedback, I recommend giving it due consideration even if you ultimately don’t use it. As I said previously, the profession of writing demands some level of versatility.
  

• Many of these clients did not do much research on the methods of book publishing available or make reasoned choices as to what next step would be best for them. No writer should enter unarmed. If you aim to publish, you should know what methods of publishing are available and ways to pursue each. Some first-time authors self-publish so that they have a portfolio before querying agents. Others might prefer a hybrid publisher or to stick with self-publishing long-term. Even if you haven’t made a choice regarding your next steps, at least be aware of what’s available to you. Jane Friedman compiled an excellent list on publishing paths that I recommend starting with if you haven’t already. 

Your question was centered on why your goal for writing shouldn’t be centered on money or fame. This can be your goal, and I won’t shame you for it, but I also urge you to approach your writing goals with an open mind. 

As an editor, I can’t tell you whether your book is going to make the bestseller list. I can’t even give you the numbers associated with how well your book will sell based on the content alone. It is my role to advocate for writers and their audiences, and I do believe you should get paid for the work you do. 

“Write for joy” reads as a well-intentioned sentiment, but it’s not for everyone. The same is true for "write to sell." Work towards your goal, and I’ll be here rooting for you!

If you have a writing or editing-focused question, I would be more than happy to dedicate a post to you. Contact us for any questions you might have or to schedule a free consultation with yours truly!

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