Love this. I do feel like "midlist" is only ever used as a term of shame, but it means you're selling! I means profits (yes as you say for the publisher and not nec the author but still it means you'll still get published).
I spent many years as a midlist writer in the world of comics and graphic novels, and now that I'm focusing mainly on fiction these days I appear to have landed squarely in the same place 😂 Still, it keeps me going…
Have you got any tips for aspiring authors who are looking to get into a career as a midlist author? Realistically, with the type of books I'm writing (quiet, cosy contemporary romance), I think that's where my goal is, and I would love a career as a midlist author. But I fear agents, and then publishers, are really looking for a splashy bestseller when it comes to a debut. I've had a couple of agents tell me they love my full manuscript (for my first novel) and can see I'm a good writer, but they are passing because it's too 'quiet'.
Great piece Phoebe! Now how does one break out of the midlist if one is accorded only limited support by a publishing company? Is it a case of hoping for lightening to strike or is there something you can do? Any inspiring examples you can think of?
Love this. I do feel like "midlist" is only ever used as a term of shame, but it means you're selling! I means profits (yes as you say for the publisher and not nec the author but still it means you'll still get published).
Such a clear and helpful piece, as ever, Phoebe. Thanks so much for tackling this subject. 💚📚
I spent many years as a midlist writer in the world of comics and graphic novels, and now that I'm focusing mainly on fiction these days I appear to have landed squarely in the same place 😂 Still, it keeps me going…
Thank you for another helpful post, Phoebe!
Have you got any tips for aspiring authors who are looking to get into a career as a midlist author? Realistically, with the type of books I'm writing (quiet, cosy contemporary romance), I think that's where my goal is, and I would love a career as a midlist author. But I fear agents, and then publishers, are really looking for a splashy bestseller when it comes to a debut. I've had a couple of agents tell me they love my full manuscript (for my first novel) and can see I'm a good writer, but they are passing because it's too 'quiet'.
Great piece Phoebe! Now how does one break out of the midlist if one is accorded only limited support by a publishing company? Is it a case of hoping for lightening to strike or is there something you can do? Any inspiring examples you can think of?
Midlist seems like an enviable place to be, really, without the pressure of a huge advance and the demands of being a Big Name. Call me crazy…
I quite agree!