tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post8521231529185780666..comments2023-09-20T03:40:25.128-07:00Comments on Leigh Russell: Authors at Literary FestivalsLeigh Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-48306784444355111052016-01-23T07:49:35.096-08:002016-01-23T07:49:35.096-08:00Fair point, Derek. And I'm guessing that for s...Fair point, Derek. And I'm guessing that for self-published authors, those sales would barely cover the cost of producing your books in the first place. (I'm guessing about that but I think you need print copies if you're speaking at a festival and that must cost money.) The only point about other authors being paid is that if the bigger names are attracting an audience when your name alone doesn't, then the paid authors (if anyone other than the cleaners is actually paid at this hypothetical festival) are actually providing you, the unpaid unknown author, with new readers. If they would only be there for a fee, and without their presence you would have no audience, I'm not sure why it would rankle with you, (not you personally, but you as the hypothetical lesser known author at this hypothetival festival.) I would have thought you (as previous prentheses) would be grateful to be on the programme. Just a thought. Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-85852952042605321162016-01-21T12:17:34.510-08:002016-01-21T12:17:34.510-08:00Hi, Leigh. Great to see a 'chewy' topic th...Hi, Leigh. Great to see a 'chewy' topic this early in the year! I think the key is managing people's expectations at the outset, and also being transparent. If, as a little known author, with less than 25,000 sales under my belt, an event were relatively close to me I'd be prepared to attend for free. However, whether full-time or not, if writing IS part of your business it must rankle if other people are being paid but you are asked along for nowt. DThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11803989273524731892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-10449829415195999932016-01-19T17:20:52.426-08:002016-01-19T17:20:52.426-08:00I do agree that diversity is needed, Jane, but it ...I do agree that diversity is needed, Jane, but it comes back to the same problem. Best selling authors attract paying audiences. Unknown ones don't. It's a great pity that celebrities are more popular than serious writers, but that's the world we live in. Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-3032536858320162752016-01-19T00:29:08.786-08:002016-01-19T00:29:08.786-08:00One of the biggest headlines about literature toda...One of the biggest headlines about literature today is the lack of diversity in terms of output and how it is peopled by white middle class decision-makers. (In fact, I read an article this week about one such white middle class person this week who had to work a second job in a legal firm for the 'privilege' of working in publishing, as it pays so little, and how hard it hit her financially when she was promoted to editor and had to give up her second job). However, I am coming around to the way of thinking that working for free (and giving away work for free) is part of the problem. Few people can afford to do this and it therefore perpetuates the problem. As Nick Cohen put it this week:'It remains the case that if you want a truly ‘diverse’ culture, where all talents are ‘celebrated’, you must insist on one point before any other: pay the bloody writer.' (I would extend this call to paying everybody within the publishing industry.) <br /> Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09599981167540189308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-48028198112002258712016-01-18T10:09:00.855-08:002016-01-18T10:09:00.855-08:00I look forward to seeing you there, Sue Wilkinson!...I look forward to seeing you there, Sue Wilkinson! Thanks for commenting. Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-53060575184771868252016-01-18T10:07:22.750-08:002016-01-18T10:07:22.750-08:00I do hope authors agree with you Leigh! Harrogate ...I do hope authors agree with you Leigh! Harrogate Crime festival is such a joy every year because of the friendly atmosphere and the diversity of those attending. The panels and interviews are also great of course but it's the chat at the bar, the swopping of opinions and recommendations and the opportunities to meet people of like minds that make such festivals so enjoyable. Roll on July and I hope to see you there!<br />Sue Wilkinsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-30142539714230173382016-01-18T08:28:14.582-08:002016-01-18T08:28:14.582-08:00Sadly I can no longer accept all the invitations I...Sadly I can no longer accept all the invitations I receive. The most difficult one to turn down was Bath Literature Festival, but I just could not make it. And that was a paid appearance! I begged them to ask me again this year, but they haven't. Such is life. Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-10935924179606606612016-01-18T07:34:15.798-08:002016-01-18T07:34:15.798-08:00That's wonderful, Leigh and must result in you...That's wonderful, Leigh and must result in you receiving far more invitations than you are able to handle. Little wonder that you get tired.Gordon Bricenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-39062595068358821342016-01-18T07:24:38.142-08:002016-01-18T07:24:38.142-08:00Of course it's always nice to be paid as well,...Of course it's always nice to be paid as well, but I don't accept payment from libraries, or when I judge writing competitions that are raising money for charity. Not everything has to be financially rewarding. There are other considerations. Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-87073630511044401532016-01-18T07:22:58.564-08:002016-01-18T07:22:58.564-08:00Yes, Gordon. Festivals give authors publicity, and...Yes, Gordon. Festivals give authors publicity, and a chance to meet other authors and industry professionals as well as those all important fans, and they are great fun. So many authors attend, even if they are not speaking, that the evidence speaks for itself really. Authors would not turn up if they didn't want to. Thank you for commenting. Leigh Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080517449825380527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326835832552443337.post-1471774796681321122016-01-18T06:50:27.585-08:002016-01-18T06:50:27.585-08:00I am not a writer, but totally agree with what you...I am not a writer, but totally agree with what you have said, Leigh. True, it must be tough for writers struggling to make their way, to have to fund their visits, especially if they do not receive any reward for attending, but, the publicity must count for something......quite a lot in fact.Gordon Bricenoreply@blogger.com