Why? Because unless you happen to get a best seller, the pay is crap, when you consider all the work/time. The publishing market is EXTREMELY competitive. Ask Ted Simon. I'm just finishing my third book (On a Mission from Dog) and received over 100 rejections from publishers/agents. Responses were:
Brilliant writing, but didn't like the story.
Writing needs work, great story!
Too much focus on animals. Too much focus on travel. Too much focus on relationship.
Get the idea??
Why do I do it? Because I love it. The money isn't important. I'd do it for free. The books supplement my magazine writing income, which ain't great either!!! On a Mission from Dog will be an audio book first, (out end of this month) then as I've done before after self-publishing, I'll shlep it around to publishers again. This worked with my second book, but not the first one about trekking across the Libyan Desert.
There IS a huge amount of money in the publishing industry, but it's that pyramid scale. A few at the top gets heaps of money, but for most, it dribbles in. The most successful writers (financially) are making money writing for business/industrial mags. EVERYONE wants to be a travel writer, which is why the money is fairly poor in this area.
Email me at LC at LorraineChittock.com and I'll add you to my mailing list. ;-)
I'm also happy to answer any other questions too. ;-)
Lorraine
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