Interesting Column by that says The formula for creating a great book is simple. All it takes is imagination, hard work and high standards. Following the formula can be the key to fame, fortune and wealth. No venture capital required. No patents. No secret strategies. Just ask the woman who wrote Harry Potter. She knows all about the secret formula for great books.
Here’s the secret. Authors just have to cover the “4 MAGIC E’s.”
Heh
But writers are artists, and live just as poorly. Most don’t make a living. Just as easy to paint, and clear $600K a painting, like that one guy. Or become a rockstar and sell millions of albums.
You need a publisher deal, you need all types of things.
Gives people unreasonable expectations to lead them to believe they can be successful authors. Yes, some will. Most won’t, however.
— Ender, Duke_of_URL
®
column assumes white middle class authors
Last night I heard a radio interview with a published African-American male author who spoke about his struggle to avoid being forced into the black book ghetto or the category of books for Oprah’s audience of “weepy white women” by agents and editors. NB: before anyone gets annoyed, I’m quoting the author.
Re:column assumes white middle class authors
I don’t doubt that it is harder to sell books that aren’t aimed at “weepy white women” (who apparently buy a lot of books, if Oprah book sales are any indication) but how does this column assume white middle class authors???
Which of the four E’s aren’t applicable to non-white, non-middle class authors?
Entertaining?
Enlightening?
Educational?
Exhilarating?
These seem pretty basic to me.
Re:column assumes white middle class authors
Since non-white/non-middle class writers have to fight the assumption that their work is less “universal” and represents only “their” people, a 5th E is needed.
Re:column assumes white middle class authors
Do you have a fifth E in mind?
As the Duke of URL anonymously pointed out (just moments before I quit my job to pursue the Sure Thing of Great Literature), very few writers are successful. And the 4 E’s were obvious enough that I am surprised the article got published.
But while there are added challenges for people who are writing for non-white, non-middleclass audiences in terms of getting published, finding their audience, and making any money, it seems the four E’s are the same.
Ok, what ‘makes’ an E will vary individually and, more generally, by audience, but the E category will be the same, no?