Should Writers with Little Money be Kept Out of Publishing? – Guest Post by Traci Kenworth…

Posted on by Chris The Story Reading Ape

A few weeks ago, there was a big argument on Twitter on whether writers with little money should be kept out of publishing. There were those who wondered how writers not being able to pay the $20 PitchWars fee, how could they afford to be on the internet? Basically, they were saying that if you can’t afford to pay, you shouldn’t be trying to write a book or publish it. I’m on a fixed budget with mental health issues and I don’t think it’s fair that myself, or any other marginalized writer, should be blocked from publishing because of funds. I responded early when the post came up, not in negativity toward the PitchWars creators as they put up a voucher which I applied for, but then I heard about all that happened on Twitter as far as some writers arguing that $20 wasn’t much and if you couldn’t afford that why are you even trying?

We all know the writing profession doesn’t bring in a lot of money for writers, unless you’re a big brand name. Still, it’s like inviting everyone to a party and then charging a fee at the door that some can’t pay. If you continue that practice only the privileged are going to be there. You’ll miss out on stories that might change your perspective on things. Since the beginning of time, a lot of writers had to find backers to sponsor their work. William Shakespeare, anyone? What if they’d said to him, “You don’t have money, so you can’t write these plays?”

I’m not really upset at PitchWars, who reversed their decision to charge the fees with the outcry. It’s that there are those people out there who think a person should be barred from publishing simply because they can’t afford to pay. Personally, I would Indie publish if I could afford it, but since I don’t have the funding to do it properly, I’m looking into traditional. I hope my lack of funds doesn’t hold me back. That publishers who are aware of my situation choose to work with me despite it. I hope to get the same chance as everyone else. I’ve spent a lot of time learning my craft. Shouldn’t my work be judged according to this; not how much money is in my bank account?

Traci Kenworth

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50 thoughts on “Should Writers with Little Money be Kept Out of Publishing? – Guest Post by Traci Kenworth…”

  1. Excellent post Traci. I think about this sort of thing all the time. Self-Publishing is expensive. People talk about editing and cover design but the truth is that not everyone can afford to pay rent/mortgage type money on a book cover or for editing. And what if they intend on publishing more than one book? It adds up. I am just getting part two of Nora out almost one year later for this reason. I had to save for editing. I hope more people would speak on publishing from the poor man’s perspective lol.

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  5. Wonderful post, Traci. I’m sure the economic divide so many of us have experienced impacts more people than anyone realizes.

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  7. I agree with Traci as I am on a fixed income myself. I started out as an Indie Author and now have a publisher. I feel anyone with the will to write should have the opportunity to publish their work. @v@ ❤

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  10. This is mind-boggling, Traci. It seems that people who have never had to pinch pennies don’t understand that the Internet is a lifeline for so many, especially for those of us on limited and low incomes. Paying for an ISP is a priority, and it comes with a price outside the monetary monthly fee. It’s a constant tradeoff ~ do I pay for an ISP or do I go to the movies and dinner once a month; or worse yet, pay for my medications and groceries? I don’t know the financial situations of those running the PitchWars, so I don’t want to judge them, and I give them credit for reversing their decision. But some of those commenting on Twitter would do well to curb their elitist attitudes and try walking in the shoes of those who live paycheck-to-paycheck ❤

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    • Exactly, Tina. The internet can be the difference between isolation and being able to chat with friends and family for a lot of us. I struggle with what to pay a lot of times but I scrape together for the internet because I know what all of the interaction means to me.

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