# The Business of Art

Have we gotten to the point where we need our hands held so continually?

I’ve officially been a trad debut author since May. So, let’s talk about it.

I had preconceived notions about the genre, most of which were rather unfair.

For the briefest of moments, I thought I’d made it. I was so proud of my achievements. Of course, the joy didn’t last forever.

It’s endless. And constant. You hear "No" way more than "Yes."

We can’t recognize escapism any more when hard truths are staring back at us every morning in the mirror.

Can you fully unlock your imagination if your mind is obsessed with success?

I’m excited for you, believe me, but hold up a second here and let’s have a little talk.

I spent weeks, each time making all these changes in the desperate hope that one of these “artists” he was pitching it to would buy it.

Yes, people like being treated like people.

At his age, he had plenty of wisdom to draw upon and apply to the characters he was auditioning to play.

The writing had to stand on its own. Nobody gave a crap if I was cool.

I thought I should get to work on the whole manuscript and maybe a query, too. Oh, my giddy cousins, was I wrong.

What I discovered was eye-opening at the curiosity level, but also valuable for my thinking and planning as a publisher, and for you as a writer or author.

... in swapping stories with fellow small publishers and indie authors, I eventually happened upon the secret of the apple orchard.