OPEN LETTER TO PUBLISHERS AND PUBLISHING HOUSES

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Dear Publishers and Publishing Houses everywhere.

I am writing today because I am one of many writers who feel we are not being taken seriously by companies like yours. Every week, more and more books by 'celebrity' writers are appearing online and in bookshops and it seems that anyone who isn't famous for something else, has not got a hope in hell of having a book published. Now, I can understand this to a degree. A famous name is more likely to be a marketing coup than someone who is unknown. And at the end of the day, money is money and we're all trying to eke out a living right? But with every famous name who has a book published, there are thousands of others who are truly dedicated to the craft of writing that just don't get a look-in; who learn their craft over decades, who truly have something great to give to the world. And alright, perhaps some are less talented than others; but they are writing - and the more they write, the better they get. But many are feeling put off by the fact that no matter how good they get, they are more unlikely to see their work published because of the number of famous people jumping on their bandwagon. This is unfair. And it worries me that the day is coming where the only new books being published are those accredited to celebrities. So where does that leave those of us who have worked tirelessly to produce good poetry, fiction or non-fiction? What hope have we got if companies like yours are not prepared to look at the amount of talent out there - writers and poets who have spent precious time honing their skills but who are slowly being crushed to death by the glut of celebrity publishing sensations? Now chances are that you think I am merely an embittered writer who is fed-up with the number of rejections coming through. But you'd be wrong. I fought for years to get to the point where a publisher took me seriously enough to take my first book and then go on to commission two more. I have been a Guest Speaker at writing and poetry goups. I have been a Writer in Residence. I have run Creative Writing Workshops and Comprehensive Creative Writing courses for both children and adults. I have had work appear in international publications. I consider myself fortunate to have had so much success over the years. Yet can I get a publisher anywhere to show even the tiniest bit of interest in my current children's book? No! And do you know why? It is because despite my experience and success, I am not a known name. All I am asking is that you stop pushing away the wealth of talent at your doors. Stop using the old get-out cliche used by so many of you to "look through the writers and artist's year book" as if every one of us were a complete novice with nothing to offer. If you don't stop what you are doing then fresh new voices and faces will not get through. And what a complete and utter waste that would be. I am sure I am going to get shot down because of this rallying cry, but I can live with that. What I can't live with is the fact that companies like yours just don't want to know. Shame on you. Shame on you. GIVE NEW WRITERS A CHANCE!!!