My D-list Diary

Cynthia Rogerson, writer, author, novelist, UK, Scotland, US, Wah!, Addison Jones, Wait for me, Jack, If I Touched the Earth

What is a D list writer?  Someone like me.  Someone who gets all her books published (none languishing on the hard drive or bottom drawer!) and garners excellent reviews from respected authors and occasionally gets shortlisted for major prizes – and yet, her sales figures remain underwhelming.  After her 7th book, her proven unprofitability results in a lack of enthusiasm from publishers.  Which makes sense. They are not charities and do not reject books out of spite. A D list writer like me muddles on anyway, and tells herself the humility will be good for her. Enrich her writing because it will make her try harder.  She reminds herself that Van Gogh never sold a single painting. That art should always be for the sake of art, not public acclaim. That failure, in fact, is a good thing.  Rejection will be the making of her! She decides to get a new web site and keep a diary of her struggles.