Saturday, July 23: Mississippi Mud
SELLING THEM SHORT
by John M. Floyd
One of the only bigtime authors I know well is Nevada Barr, who writes the Anna Pigeon mystery series. An indication of Nevada’s kindness toward aspiring writers like me is that she once introduced me to a friend by saying, “This is John Floyd — the only person I know who makes a living from writing short stories.”
Kind she was; correct she was not. If I were fortunate enough to have sold every story I’ve ever written, and if I were fortunate enough to have sold every one of those stories for a great deal of money, maybe that statement could have been true. But, alas, I have not sold every story I’ve ever written and I have not broken the bank with most of those I’ve sold. If I were forced to rely only on what I earn from writing shorts, I’m afraid I would not — as someone once said — be able to support my wife in the manner to which she has become accustomed.
Exceptions to the rule
In recent years, I know of only one writer — the late great Ed Hoch — who was said to make a living solely from writing short fiction, although I suspect that folks like O. Henry, Harlan Ellison, Jack Ritchie, and others came close. And the sad truth is, few writers of fiction of any length can glean a decent living from only their writing. Those who can have almost always been New York Times bestselling novelists.
There was once a time, however, when a talented short story writer could completely support himself or herself from writing only shorts. In the glory days of the forties and fifties, I understand it was possible for authors like Louis L’Amour and others to regularly sell their short stories for thousands of dollars a pop, and I suppose the reason for that is that so many markets were buying them — and therefore many, many readers were enjoying them. A host of different magazines featured several shorts in every issue, from westerns to detective stories to fantasy to romance, and a lot of great novelists got their start that way.
Words of consolation
The good thing about all this is, if you truly love writing, you won’t worry too much about how much money you’re making or not making from your writing, and — far more importantly — most of us have day jobs anyway, or pensions from day jobs. I’m not sure where I saw this, but I once read that the main advantage of short story writers over journalists or others in the writing field is this: for them it’s a job, and for us it’s pleasure. We don’t have to suffer their daily deadlines and pressures, and that kind of freedom can sometimes translate itself into greater creativity. That’s the theory, anyway. Doing what you like to do is often easier than doing what you know you’re required to do, even if at first you like it.
According to award-winning short story writer and novelist John Brown, the only suitable answer to “Can you make a living selling your shorts?” is: “Only if they were once worn by Britney Spears.”
He’s probably right.
“…for them it’s a job, and for us it’s pleasure.” Truer words were never blogged!
Nicely done, John.
I have reached the stage when people outside the writing community ask me how much money I received when I sold a story, I now say, “Oh, I don’t know. What is your present salary?” 😉
John,
You’re the most successful short-story writer I know personally, but I grew up with other great friends in the genre: Edgar Alan Poe (or is it Allen? I don’t remember at the moment.) and O Henry.
There are days when I feel like one of their contemporaries, but they both predate me.
I really agree with not having to write if one has another occupation. In my case, I didn’t attempt to market fiction until after I retired from teaching, so that check comes in monthly. This takes the pressure off, but I do wish I’d begun younger because it’s so much fun and I can write about whatever I want!
Thanks for your humorous ending. The trial I wrote about several months ago in Leigh’s column ended yesterday. I’ll comment on it tomorrow as several people have inquired. I needed a laugh today, and Britney’s shorts brought it.
fran
Great piece, John, and in my book, oh so true! Oddly, most folks seem to think I’m paid a bundle for my stories. I guess they must also think I prefer my current life style due to a humble nature.
Write for the pleasure of it is my motto and creed. Thanks, John.
Can’t believe I’m commenting twice today. This is in response to David Dean. My cousin asked me at the July 4th family reunion, “What was your advance on each book?” then “How many copies of each sold?” Though I did very well on those books, when he opened his mouth for question number three, I asked him something similar to your suggestion.
Being an elderly, white-haired, southern lady, I thought you continued your police work because you look so good in the uniform!
Fran
Okay, three in one day. The first half of my above comment was in response to Terrie Farley Moran. The second part was directed at David Dean.
Okay A Broad, Abroad, I’m sure you have some witty response!
fran
Fran, you are a very kind southern lady. In fact, I am retiring from police work on Nov.1 and hanging up the old uniform at last.
Thanks, friends, for the kind words. Terrie, I love your reply to the question about payment for your stories — I’ll have to remember that one — and Fran, I’ve often said I’m lucky that I DIDN’T start writing when I was younger: my family would probably have starved because I’d never have wanted to do anything else.
David, sincere congratulations on your upcoming retirement. Just think how much writing you’ll be able to do after that!
Fitzgerald kept life and limb together in Hollywood writing
the Pat Hobby stories. And thank God he did.
Good column.
I may be incorrect, but it seems I once heard Hemingway was paid something like $10,000 for a short story — and this was when that was a tremendous amount of money.
I really like some of Fitzgerald’s shorts–I’ve heard he wrote more than a hundred–and I’ve always believed that Hemingway’s short stories were better written than his novels. As for his receiving 10K for one of them, I hadn’t heard that. Wish I knew which story it was.
Nicely written John.
I was going to comment on how short story authors get the short end of the stick, or they are being sold short, etc etc. But then I was reading through the comments and what jumped out at me was that you’ve all been asked what you make on your book sales??? That’s fairly nervy, and rude to boot.
Thanks, Darlene. And you’re right, it is a rude question, but I doubt that most of the folks who ask it realize that. And it happens all the time. Often it’s a question asked by a beginning writer who’s probably wondering what HE might make from selling his fiction. (I do, however, really like Terrie’s response. I’d never thought of that.)
True, people don’t understand what kind of money writers make. Short story writers could do very well when there was a healthy market for slick-magazine fiction. To make a living in the pulps, you’d have to be very prolific. Few novelists make a living either, but I can undertand the outsider’s confusion. (“Let’s see. Stephen King just signed a multimillion dollar contract. But my friend isn’t that famous. He probably only got a hundred grand.”)
Fran, as I’m surprised nobody has pointed out, you have it surrounded. It’s Edgar ALLAN Poe.