Thank you for sharing this reality of the industry, and for reminding me that the most important thing is continuing to write. I have yet to finish a single project that I’ve started but I try to eat anti-cancer food so hopefully I can survive a long time too!
Have I told you my theory about how I think the phone calls Marla receives in ‘Fight Club’ may connect to the ‘Damned’ universe crossover revealed in ‘Fight Club 3’? If not, I’ve got dossiers.
“My crackpot theory is that writing is not about looking good. It’s about risking looking bad and giving others that same opportunity.”
The above falls right in line with something Sedaris said in an interview I watched just yesterday:
“I want to connect with [the reader]. Usually it’s the worst thing you can admit about yourself that most people can relate to. It was so surprising to me when I realized that—that when I thought, if you write about, say, your own jealousy, people aren’t going to think, ‘Oh, he’s a horrible person because he’s jealous.’ They’ll think, ‘That’s me.’”
Thank you so much for addressing this! [And thanks Brandon for asking about it.] I love love love Damned and Doomed. And so do friends I've pointed in that direction. I appreciate the dose of hope! 😁
As someone who's just finished Purgatorio and still wants to move on to Paradiso, I have a gap in the Damned series. If the third comes out, I'm looking forward to re-reading the first two and following the story 'til its end. So, the point is, like Martin... stay alive!
Doomed was released right before my 30th birthday, may have been the day of, in 2013. It was my gift to myself. Unwittingly got a signed copy from the bookstore in North Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Im certain Ive commented on this before, but the rest area scene in Doomed really hit home. A friend of mine was driving to Fort Benning to do his annual 2 weeks for the National Guard. He and his army buddy were drinking the whole way, and stopped at one of the many adult bookstores as you get close to any military base. They went into one of the porn booths, and there was a glory hole. Whoever was on the other side must have heard some obnoxious young voices, and stuck his dick through the hole. My friend stomped and smeared the strange penis across the wall. They stumbled out, falling over one another laughing. Once in the car, still laughing hysterically, some poor old bastard limped out holding his junk.
I wish he was alive. He tells it so much better. When I heard it, I literally fell out of my chair laughing. My abdomen was sore the next day.
I know that the answer is in large part, "it depends".
But, is there an approximate number of sales that are considered a minimum threshold to keep going? Is there a rule of thumb on how many sales need to be anticipated for any publisher to move forward with a new book?
Can an established author, just go straight to self-published, or would that be a career mistake?
Not asking to share any private business into - just interested in the overall dynamic.
Damned was actually my entry point into your work and still closest to my heart. 🫀
Thank you for sharing this reality of the industry, and for reminding me that the most important thing is continuing to write. I have yet to finish a single project that I’ve started but I try to eat anti-cancer food so hopefully I can survive a long time too!
Also... the jewelry sounds amazing and beautifully poignant:’)
Have I told you my theory about how I think the phone calls Marla receives in ‘Fight Club’ may connect to the ‘Damned’ universe crossover revealed in ‘Fight Club 3’? If not, I’ve got dossiers.
Damned is my favorite book of yours. I’ll wait patiently.
I appreciate your continued honesty and sharing insights into the industry. I love this forum and the ability to share our writings and experiences.
Follow-up question? Did Fight Club 3 sell well enough that we can expect a Fight Club 4?
“My crackpot theory is that writing is not about looking good. It’s about risking looking bad and giving others that same opportunity.”
The above falls right in line with something Sedaris said in an interview I watched just yesterday:
“I want to connect with [the reader]. Usually it’s the worst thing you can admit about yourself that most people can relate to. It was so surprising to me when I realized that—that when I thought, if you write about, say, your own jealousy, people aren’t going to think, ‘Oh, he’s a horrible person because he’s jealous.’ They’ll think, ‘That’s me.’”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3ThdK9KHpw
Thank you so much for addressing this! [And thanks Brandon for asking about it.] I love love love Damned and Doomed. And so do friends I've pointed in that direction. I appreciate the dose of hope! 😁
Love your advice - “What’s important is that he didn’t die. That, and he continued to write.”
Damn the gatekeepers. Why can't the third book be published here on Substack?
As someone who's just finished Purgatorio and still wants to move on to Paradiso, I have a gap in the Damned series. If the third comes out, I'm looking forward to re-reading the first two and following the story 'til its end. So, the point is, like Martin... stay alive!
I/ll be damned.
bahdumtsss.
Doomed was released right before my 30th birthday, may have been the day of, in 2013. It was my gift to myself. Unwittingly got a signed copy from the bookstore in North Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Im certain Ive commented on this before, but the rest area scene in Doomed really hit home. A friend of mine was driving to Fort Benning to do his annual 2 weeks for the National Guard. He and his army buddy were drinking the whole way, and stopped at one of the many adult bookstores as you get close to any military base. They went into one of the porn booths, and there was a glory hole. Whoever was on the other side must have heard some obnoxious young voices, and stuck his dick through the hole. My friend stomped and smeared the strange penis across the wall. They stumbled out, falling over one another laughing. Once in the car, still laughing hysterically, some poor old bastard limped out holding his junk.
I wish he was alive. He tells it so much better. When I heard it, I literally fell out of my chair laughing. My abdomen was sore the next day.
I know that the answer is in large part, "it depends".
But, is there an approximate number of sales that are considered a minimum threshold to keep going? Is there a rule of thumb on how many sales need to be anticipated for any publisher to move forward with a new book?
Can an established author, just go straight to self-published, or would that be a career mistake?
Not asking to share any private business into - just interested in the overall dynamic.
Can we all get necklaces!? Yeah!