There are pros and cons about becoming a published author in this day and age. On the pro side is how technology has not only revolutionised the way we write, but also the way we publish, advertise and sell our work. Authors are no longer held ransom by major publishing companies or exorbitantly priced self-publishing and have the option of going it alone and using social media to promote their work. On the con side, these things can also hinder an author's journey. Because there is so much more written work out there competing for the same amount of readers, it is very difficult to get noticed (especially if you are an unknown).
Many years ago when I visited Rome for the first time, a few of my fellow travellers complained about the standard of hotel rooms there - the fact that they were small, had no air-conditioning and tiny, badly designed bathrooms. One particular guy (you know the kind...the one who should have just stayed home because he hates everything about travelling) made the statement that the Italians should lift their accommodation standards. Our tour leader just laughed and said, 'Rome is an amazing, historical city that people want to visit. They're going to come anyway - whether or not the rooms are large and luxurious. Why would you need to change when you've already got a massive tourism industry?'
One of the great things about being a writer in the 21st century is that there is a genre for just about every taste - be it chick lit, sci-fi, crime, romance, vampire.... the list goes on. Sometimes readers (and authors) can be made to feel that their preferred genre is not as 'good as' the more classical literary styles. To this I say, each to their own. The world would be a pretty boring place if we all enjoyed the same types of books and as long as you enjoy reading a certain style of book, then you should do so to your hearts content. And you should never feel like you have to apologise for liking a particular genre. For example if your read for escapism and to relax, then you may love to indulge in a chick lit or romance novel - good for you! Or you might love to engross yourself in a chilling murder mystery or psychological thriller to engage your mind. Or maybe you love biographies or books about alien abductions and that is OK too. Thanks to the internet, you will be able to find books to suit your taste, so go for it. Read (and/or write) what you love, enjoy it and don't criticise others who don't share your taste.
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