March 24, 2010

Authors aren't necessarily celebrities

Each week, YA Highway hosts Road Trip Wednesday, a blog carnival in which contributors discuss a specific topic on their own blogs and invite readers to do the same. This week's RTW topic is:

What author's career would you love to emulate?

Nathan Bransford asked this same question a few weeks ago. My answer then was,
Someone who has success but not constant media attention. I wouldn't want JK Rowling's or Stephanie Meyer's career. I'd like to be somebody somewhat under the radar but never completely forgotten about, someone who achieves success but not up in the stratosphere kind of success... maybe Jennifer Weiner or Lauren Willig?
My answer still stands (except adding a few dashes... it should read "up-in-the-stratosphere" as I mean it).

I want to be an author, not a celebrity. There's a difference between being well-known or famous within a co-culture (i.e., YA fans, women's fiction fans, readers in general) and being a celebrity, someone who even your great-grandmother can name. I'll be happy whether I publish or not, but if I am published one day, I'd like to generate just enough interest to have a solid fan base without having to worry about stalkers or people digging through my trashcan.

8 comments:

Debbie Barr said...

I pretty much agree with you there, on that one. I would really hate to be Stephenie Meyer famous.

Kayeleen Hamblin said...

I hope to have my books read, but not to be the center of a circus.

Kate Hart said...

Same here.

Marquita Hockaday said...

Great post! I agree with what you said- I don't think I could handle excessive fame, but I do want to be recognized for my writing- and I like Jennifer Weiner too- I have her story book "the guy not taken." I haven't read it yet. Have you read it, and if so do you recommend it?

Abby Stevens said...

Debbie - Yep, Stephenie Meyer famous is SCARY.

Kayeleen - I've seen you on Heidi's blog, welcome! I feel the same way.

Marquita - HI! Welcome! I adore Jennifer Weiner. THE GUY NOT TAKEN was excellent, though it is probably my least favorite of all her work (not because it is bad, but because the rest of her stuff is that much more awesome). My favorite book by her is either IN HER SHOES or BEST FRIENDS FOREVER. She has such a deliciously snarky attitude, you're hooked from the very first page. I find myself literally laughing out loud when I read her. I highly recommend any of her work.

Rachel said...

oh, Jennifer Weiner is a good one! I love her stuff. I am right there with you on the JKR and SM thing...it would be scary to be in their shoes.

Kaitlin Ward said...

I feel like this too. Being a celebrity would just be a pain.

Kristin Halbrook said...

Great thoughts. I totally agree. Celebrity is not where I want to be - I want a real career. :)

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