Do you have to be rich to be a writer?
A rant
When all you are offered for your work is contributor copies?
When there are no subsidies for travel, food and accommodation for attendance at conferences and festivals where writers, publishers and readers gather?
When, in order to submit to publications, you need to pay fees?
When, in order to enter contests, you need to pay fees?
When you are expected to have an online presence with a site and social media accounts?
When you have to take precious time to apply for grants?
When you have to wait for books on hold from the library so the only way you can have access to the latest writing of your peers is by writing reviews?
Do you have to be rich to be a writer?
Are the majority of the writers we hear about financially secure so that they can afford all these costs? So that they are constantly in the literary news? So that they are the ones who are invited to big literary events? So that they win prizes that reward them with money and exposure?
If you are a writer and you aren't rich, are you expected to take part in the “gift economy”? To share your work for free to exchange with other writers? To donate your time as small press publisher, editor, volunteer reader, promoter?
Whose voices are not being heard? Whose work is not being shared? Whose work is not being celebrated because of not having enough money or time to take part in literary capitalism?
Do you have to be rich to be a writer?
I can freely admit that I have a day job that is not in any way related to my writing pursuits. I tried the freelance gigs for some time and burned out. Now I’ve come back around to just writing for me because I love writing. Whatever happens, happens. But I will not accept a writing a gig for “exposure” in the future.
Interesting question posed here, Amanda. I call it the jungle of literature. See, I took the route to Self-publishing because I felt that the cost fees for traditional publishing are way out of numbers for starters and those who write for the love of it. Why is it we only hear the stories of those who received recognition for their work before public scrutiny more than others? Or is it literary capitalism as you put it? Or just that the world will always reward and recognize idols.