[Nick P]

Originally Posted by John Jarrold

I want people to be aware that I've sold six debut novels to mainstream publishers in the last eighteen months. And that's just me, one agent.

Despite what many new writers think, publishers ARE looking for new stars, but your writing has to be very special, as does your story-telling, characterisation, ideas, etc.

These debutants are writing over a wide range of fantasy, SF and supernatural fiction. No one put them in a strait-jacket, they are writing the books they want to write, and very sensibly realising that commercial publishing is just that: commercial.

No one has the right to mainstream publication, any more then they have the right to run in the 100 metres in the Olympics. No matter how hard the great majority of people train, they will never run in the Olympics. And writing is something that the majority of people can't do to a professional standard either (writers' groups are great if you have talent to begin with - they can't grow talent from barren ground). Writing for one's own pleasure, that's something else, and equally valid.

John

Can I quote this on Litopia? I can put in a link if you provide one or just give your web address?