This is interesting to think about. I was particularly struck by this:
“Maybe, today, Black writer, we find our own "Paris" not in a distant city but in the spaces we carve out for ourselves—on social media, in critique groups, in community-led publishing movements, a special retreat space for a week or two. The ability to self-publish, to tell our stories without waiting for permission, to rally grassroots support around our ideas—maybe these can be our modern-day equivalent of Baldwin’s Paris. But just as writing in exile was never a perfect solution, neither are these digital and community spaces.”
What a great premise, Jevon! There is something to the physical place of Paris for sure and I felt it when I travelled there because of the storied history I avidly read about as an English major at Berkeley. But seeing the other part of your name for your Substack noting “canon” along with the idea of the IDEA of a Paris for freeing your writing. Just wow! 🤯 so much to unpack there and I love it! The history within “the canon” that I was taught and the canon itself NEEDS to have thoughts linger about it. What’s the content in THE canon these days and who’s choosing? Next time I go to Paris, I want ALL the history in my mind to experience, not just a certain subset. And I love this idea of “where’s your Paris?” Man… Great set of thoughts this morning! Thank you! I love forward to reading more with you here!
You always go deep, Holly. Those ever familiar questions!! I'm never prepared for your topics and often have to sit with what comes up. I've learned to keep my journal close when you post... Thank you❣️
I think about the state of the publishing industry a fair amount, as a reader and lover of books. I wonder what lies ahead, will it even survive? More to the point of your post, will future writers such as Baldwin, Wright, and Coates have the time, energy and the sustenance for that second book? Not there aren't gifted "unpublished" writers out there, of course there are. But there's also a firehouse of "content" coming at us from all directions, making it difficult for even exceptional talent to reach the surface not to mention make a living. How do you see it from within the publishing world? Also, you might be in a wonderful position to campion new writers with potential via your writing here. In any case, thanks. I look forward to more. 😎
John, you have hit on something so important. From my personal professional experience, my clients battle through the first book—the writing, editorial process, book cover design, promoting, and all the PR. They are exhausted by the end of the cycle. Some have amazing stamina and are ready for book 2 almost before I am. Others need a moment to catch their breath and they do. I don’t think that every author needs to write multiple books. Some do write one and that’s it. But the writers—those on a mission—can’t not write.
And about your thoughts about al the content coming at us: surprisingly books are still selling. There’s been little negative impact from social media and the increase of ways we can share with each other. I would even speculate that platforms like Substack, for instance, may increase people’s desire to read books.
You’re the first person I’m telling this to, but I’m most likely going to start a podcast similar to Inside the Actor’s Studio (do you remember it?). but for writers where I do hope to champion new writers with potential.
Nice. I think your podcast idea is good. Please keep me posted. Glad to hear book sales seem steady and I agree, Substack and others like it, do provide a place to fill the void, especially for lost journalistic opportunities. In any case, I keep reading and buying. As eclectic as my purchases are...they are mine. BTW I'm a big Charles Bowden fan, pretty niche I know. I lived in Tuscan when he did although discovered his writing far later. But I like the SW desert and the border country and his style. So there's a fit. All the best.
I feel the most free to write on Substack. However, something inside me still holds me back on sharing my full raw thoughts on things and ironically I named my publication, "Into My Thoughts."
This is so intriguing. I hadn’t thought of it in terms of safety, but certainly not ruling out that this could be a factor on feeling more compelled or capable of writing when I started traveling outside of the US. Now that I’ve settled in Portugal, I realize that I’m able to prioritize the writing as I do because there is the presence of this safety. I’m not carrying around overwhelming anxiety and I get to compartmentalize my life in a healthier way that allows for creative expression.
This is interesting to think about. I was particularly struck by this:
“Maybe, today, Black writer, we find our own "Paris" not in a distant city but in the spaces we carve out for ourselves—on social media, in critique groups, in community-led publishing movements, a special retreat space for a week or two. The ability to self-publish, to tell our stories without waiting for permission, to rally grassroots support around our ideas—maybe these can be our modern-day equivalent of Baldwin’s Paris. But just as writing in exile was never a perfect solution, neither are these digital and community spaces.”
Thank you for this intriguing piece!
Thank you, Mary. Every writer needs their “Paris.”
What a great premise, Jevon! There is something to the physical place of Paris for sure and I felt it when I travelled there because of the storied history I avidly read about as an English major at Berkeley. But seeing the other part of your name for your Substack noting “canon” along with the idea of the IDEA of a Paris for freeing your writing. Just wow! 🤯 so much to unpack there and I love it! The history within “the canon” that I was taught and the canon itself NEEDS to have thoughts linger about it. What’s the content in THE canon these days and who’s choosing? Next time I go to Paris, I want ALL the history in my mind to experience, not just a certain subset. And I love this idea of “where’s your Paris?” Man… Great set of thoughts this morning! Thank you! I love forward to reading more with you here!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Every writer needs a “Paris.” And the canon we were taught needs expanding. :)
You always go deep, Holly. Those ever familiar questions!! I'm never prepared for your topics and often have to sit with what comes up. I've learned to keep my journal close when you post... Thank you❣️
I think about the state of the publishing industry a fair amount, as a reader and lover of books. I wonder what lies ahead, will it even survive? More to the point of your post, will future writers such as Baldwin, Wright, and Coates have the time, energy and the sustenance for that second book? Not there aren't gifted "unpublished" writers out there, of course there are. But there's also a firehouse of "content" coming at us from all directions, making it difficult for even exceptional talent to reach the surface not to mention make a living. How do you see it from within the publishing world? Also, you might be in a wonderful position to campion new writers with potential via your writing here. In any case, thanks. I look forward to more. 😎
John, you have hit on something so important. From my personal professional experience, my clients battle through the first book—the writing, editorial process, book cover design, promoting, and all the PR. They are exhausted by the end of the cycle. Some have amazing stamina and are ready for book 2 almost before I am. Others need a moment to catch their breath and they do. I don’t think that every author needs to write multiple books. Some do write one and that’s it. But the writers—those on a mission—can’t not write.
And about your thoughts about al the content coming at us: surprisingly books are still selling. There’s been little negative impact from social media and the increase of ways we can share with each other. I would even speculate that platforms like Substack, for instance, may increase people’s desire to read books.
You’re the first person I’m telling this to, but I’m most likely going to start a podcast similar to Inside the Actor’s Studio (do you remember it?). but for writers where I do hope to champion new writers with potential.
Nice. I think your podcast idea is good. Please keep me posted. Glad to hear book sales seem steady and I agree, Substack and others like it, do provide a place to fill the void, especially for lost journalistic opportunities. In any case, I keep reading and buying. As eclectic as my purchases are...they are mine. BTW I'm a big Charles Bowden fan, pretty niche I know. I lived in Tuscan when he did although discovered his writing far later. But I like the SW desert and the border country and his style. So there's a fit. All the best.
I feel the most free to write on Substack. However, something inside me still holds me back on sharing my full raw thoughts on things and ironically I named my publication, "Into My Thoughts."
This is so intriguing. I hadn’t thought of it in terms of safety, but certainly not ruling out that this could be a factor on feeling more compelled or capable of writing when I started traveling outside of the US. Now that I’ve settled in Portugal, I realize that I’m able to prioritize the writing as I do because there is the presence of this safety. I’m not carrying around overwhelming anxiety and I get to compartmentalize my life in a healthier way that allows for creative expression.