This is probably my favorite of all your posts that I've ever read! You're absolutely right! Thanks for sharing this with people (like me!) who really need to hear it right now!!
Great article. Personally I have never aspired to write a book. Too busy making a mess of one kind or another. However my brother and his wife have. How boring those books are. My son thinks abt it. Like a good mom I think I will forward this to him. You gave us permission to draw now you are giving us permission to write on our own terms. Hmm sad abt no editors. Can think of several books that would have benefitted from a good edit. Anyway it’s almost 11 pm. Time to turn into a pumpkin. Thanks!
Hi Danny, thanks so much for your article. An eye opener into the world of publishing. I'm so glad to have this sense of directness with your writing. The opposite of the remoteness and distance you describe in your dealings with publishing companies. I think you write with great heart and authenticity which for me makes it compelling reading! Wishing you and JJ a lovely weekend. Sarah
Powerful take on how the gatekeeping psychology outlives the actual gates. The shift from seeking validation through publishers to recognizing direct reader connection as equally legitimate is huge. I've watched creators struggle with that psychological barrier even after technolgy made it trivial to publish. The insight about production burdens quietly shifting to authors while publishers kept their cut really nails the unsustainablity of the old model.
Beautiful and true. I was lucky to have a remarkably creative supportive editor + publisher for what I consider my “life’s work” book. AND I believe that the most valuable writing I can do now is immediate, ephemeral, more like sending letters than creating a lasting “piece of work.” I’m here for the conversation, in real time, and I trust the rest will take care of itself.
Bravo Danny! You've given me hope and lifted a curtain to so many possibilities. Your first books encouraged me to sketch with fountain pens, which has led to yrs of joyful artistic experimenting! How can I thank you for giving me this gift that gets me through the day, everyday? How lucky are we to have your funny, inspiring books on our bookshelves! You have an adoring audience, keep writing for us! Nina, Waving from Toronto
This couldn’t be more on the nose for me right now. Took me til I was 70 to be “traditionally published “ meaning I’d missed the golden years of the biz by a decade or three. Now I’m putting out my own book. I feel very little red hen about it. I’ve hired fantastic people to edit and design and I’ll do my own publicity just like last time.
Thanks Danny! I love your books. I have been writing for quite awhile but have felt like it would probably never get published, but now you give me hope. By the way if I do succeed I will email it to you. I bet you can hardly wait! :-) Thanks again, keep drawing and keep writing too.
It is truly incredible what you have built and created. You books, essays, videos, podcasts, courses, sketchbooks, followers and admirers -- what an amazing, awesome and inspiring body of work. I'm grateful.
I too have been on this journey... exactly what I have found too! I'm exploring all the different ways to gain visibility. Thank God for all the advances! I love your writing and art Danny!
This is probably my favorite of all your posts that I've ever read! You're absolutely right! Thanks for sharing this with people (like me!) who really need to hear it right now!!
Great article. Personally I have never aspired to write a book. Too busy making a mess of one kind or another. However my brother and his wife have. How boring those books are. My son thinks abt it. Like a good mom I think I will forward this to him. You gave us permission to draw now you are giving us permission to write on our own terms. Hmm sad abt no editors. Can think of several books that would have benefitted from a good edit. Anyway it’s almost 11 pm. Time to turn into a pumpkin. Thanks!
Hi Danny, thanks so much for your article. An eye opener into the world of publishing. I'm so glad to have this sense of directness with your writing. The opposite of the remoteness and distance you describe in your dealings with publishing companies. I think you write with great heart and authenticity which for me makes it compelling reading! Wishing you and JJ a lovely weekend. Sarah
My partner — same experience. Eventual outcome — ended up with his own publishing company.
Yup my book was declined and I believed them. Who is more ignorant them or me?
Enjoying reading your essays 😊
Powerful take on how the gatekeeping psychology outlives the actual gates. The shift from seeking validation through publishers to recognizing direct reader connection as equally legitimate is huge. I've watched creators struggle with that psychological barrier even after technolgy made it trivial to publish. The insight about production burdens quietly shifting to authors while publishers kept their cut really nails the unsustainablity of the old model.
Beautiful and true. I was lucky to have a remarkably creative supportive editor + publisher for what I consider my “life’s work” book. AND I believe that the most valuable writing I can do now is immediate, ephemeral, more like sending letters than creating a lasting “piece of work.” I’m here for the conversation, in real time, and I trust the rest will take care of itself.
PS. I’m a new sketcher and it has opened my eyes to a whole new world.
Bravo Danny! You've given me hope and lifted a curtain to so many possibilities. Your first books encouraged me to sketch with fountain pens, which has led to yrs of joyful artistic experimenting! How can I thank you for giving me this gift that gets me through the day, everyday? How lucky are we to have your funny, inspiring books on our bookshelves! You have an adoring audience, keep writing for us! Nina, Waving from Toronto
Thanks for the encouragement! I love your art and your writing.
Brilliant!
This couldn’t be more on the nose for me right now. Took me til I was 70 to be “traditionally published “ meaning I’d missed the golden years of the biz by a decade or three. Now I’m putting out my own book. I feel very little red hen about it. I’ve hired fantastic people to edit and design and I’ll do my own publicity just like last time.
Thanks pal!
788767
Thanks Danny! I love your books. I have been writing for quite awhile but have felt like it would probably never get published, but now you give me hope. By the way if I do succeed I will email it to you. I bet you can hardly wait! :-) Thanks again, keep drawing and keep writing too.
I self-published my book https://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/topic/my-a59-project-revived/ using a digital printing service, printed.com/ using the free Scribus software and exporting the book in pdf form. It was cost-effective, and I am able to reorder in small quantities.
It is truly incredible what you have built and created. You books, essays, videos, podcasts, courses, sketchbooks, followers and admirers -- what an amazing, awesome and inspiring body of work. I'm grateful.
I too have been on this journey... exactly what I have found too! I'm exploring all the different ways to gain visibility. Thank God for all the advances! I love your writing and art Danny!