The Travails Of Literary Creators (Opinion) Poem by Varanasi Ramabrahmam

Travails of literary creators

Dr. Varanasi Ramabrahmam

The book publication industry thrives on poets, writers, novelists, fiction-writers but ironically is not beneficial to them.

Except for some reputed and renowned literary figures, book publication is not remunerative to most of the writers and literatuers.

Most of the writers and poets for want of resources, publishing experience and of course marketing strategies, enter into bargain with publishers paying for publication of their write-ups.

Most of the literary publications are by individuals to satisfy their longing to become a "published" writer;

Spending own money, because one is unable to get a publisher willing to publish without collecting money from the writer not caring for the "quality" of the work, will publish paying for the publication.

Quality of the literary publication is now mostly determined by the sales, and who otherwise determines the quality, is a question mark. Critics and later readers play a role in this regard.

Whatever it is, literary publications are mostly self published by the author paying for the publication. So, though publishers who thrive and make business and money on the works of authors, writers and poets are not in a position to evolve a method which also benefits the creator. Many helpers for a publication such as copy editors, marketers, reviewers are available, but at a premium.

A creator after spending so much money for publication will not be able to spend on marketing and reviews.
In these days of plenty, literary creators have to accept the realities and publish by paying to the publisher for his services.

And literary creation though is an innate quality, the charm and romance disappear once the act of publication starts.

Most of the writers are satisfied by publishing their work without bothering for any monetary or other returns like recognition, and are settling for that non-beneficial reality.