6 ms·

It is true that literary agents are less likely to take on a book that's "difficult" in any way, and "too long" is one of those ways. As slimy as they are, they

It is true that literary agents are less likely to take on a book that's "difficult" in any way, and "too long" is one of those ways. As slimy as they are, they do have a sense of what publishers want, who in turn have a sense of what readers want. And lots of people do not want to read books anymore, broadly speaking. There are too many other entertainment options.

yamtaddle 4y ago
I think fiction books that aren't extremely light reading are headed the way of classical music: a thing most people find too difficult to get into, and too dull until they've put in that effort, so it's coded as a "smart (and/or pretentious) people thing" and most folks just won't engage with it at all.
- dorchadas 4y ago
  I think you're right, but it goes a step father. They then associate that with reading in general, and liking books. Then they start to believe that self-insert dystopian YA is just as literary as, say, actual dense literature that explores the human condition. Or they make books their personality, without ever reading them. r/books is full of examples like this, where it almost seems they talk more about the idea of reading than they do the books, while also constantly seeking validation for not even attempting something challenging.
blockwriter 4y ago
There are a select few agents who specialize in literary fiction. If you start a naive search of literary agents, you will find that their stated interests zero in on books that are of the political moment. The majority of agents are looking for a book, preferably young adult fiction, that focuses on a protected class, of which the author should also be a member. This is not a complaint, but the evident regression to the mean, which is really no more than an acknowledgment of market forces, is available at a glance. Books are no longer commodities whose primary purpose is to be read. Rather, they are meant to capture an upswing of interest in a particular topic, and then become more widely celebrated than widely considered. The fact is that most works of literary fiction written today are simply not up to snuff. Although there are writers devoted to their vocation, they lack a context in which to work. Literary agents cannot contribute to the process of writing. A kind of grassroots appreciation of the benefits intrinsic to reading and writing literature needs to take place, in my opinion, if we are to produce any great works of literature.
- UIUC_06 4y ago
  They have little codes that designate the genres they're interested in, like MG (middle grade) and YA (young adult). And of course, LBTQ etc. > Books are no longer commodities whose primary purpose is to be read. Rather, they are meant to capture an upswing of interest in a particular topic, and then become more widely celebrated than widely considered. Well said. A book to display on your coffee table, not necessarily to read.
- cafard 4y ago
  A look at the Pulitzer Prize for fiction suggests to me that production has been uneven for a long time
  - throwayyy479087 4y ago
    Things being unfair in the past does not justify them being unfair in the future
    - cafard 4y ago
      I didn't have fairness in mind at all. I just think that we tend to remember the past for its successes and not for its mediocrities, so I hesitate to say that we are certainly at a low point.

yamtaddle 4y ago

I think fiction books that aren't extremely light reading are headed the way of classical music: a thing most people find too difficult to get into, and too dull until they've put in that effort, so it's coded as a "smart (and/or pretentious) people thing" and most folks just won't engage with it at all.

dorchadas 4y ago
I think you're right, but it goes a step father. They then associate that with reading in general, and liking books. Then they start to believe that self-insert dystopian YA is just as literary as, say, actual dense literature that explores the human condition. Or they make books their personality, without ever reading them. r/books is full of examples like this, where it almost seems they talk more about the idea of reading than they do the books, while also constantly seeking validation for not even attempting something challenging.

blockwriter 4y ago

There are a select few agents who specialize in literary fiction. If you start a naive search of literary agents, you will find that their stated interests zero in on books that are of the political moment. The majority of agents are looking for a book, preferably young adult fiction, that focuses on a protected class, of which the author should also be a member. This is not a complaint, but the evident regression to the mean, which is really no more than an acknowledgment of market forces, is available at a glance. Books are no longer commodities whose primary purpose is to be read. Rather, they are meant to capture an upswing of interest in a particular topic, and then become more widely celebrated than widely considered. The fact is that most works of literary fiction written today are simply not up to snuff. Although there are writers devoted to their vocation, they lack a context in which to work. Literary agents cannot contribute to the process of writing. A kind of grassroots appreciation of the benefits intrinsic to reading and writing literature needs to take place, in my opinion, if we are to produce any great works of literature.

UIUC_06 4y ago
They have little codes that designate the genres they're interested in, like MG (middle grade) and YA (young adult). And of course, LBTQ etc. > Books are no longer commodities whose primary purpose is to be read. Rather, they are meant to capture an upswing of interest in a particular topic, and then become more widely celebrated than widely considered. Well said. A book to display on your coffee table, not necessarily to read.
cafard 4y ago
A look at the Pulitzer Prize for fiction suggests to me that production has been uneven for a long time
- throwayyy479087 4y ago
  Things being unfair in the past does not justify them being unfair in the future
  - cafard 4y ago
    I didn't have fairness in mind at all. I just think that we tend to remember the past for its successes and not for its mediocrities, so I hesitate to say that we are certainly at a low point.