Thank you for this inspiring post Katherine. I used to visit the Parsonage regularly as a teenager looking for inspiration and imagining the lives of Emily, Charlotte & Anne. Bereft of their mother and older sisters, writing by hand in candle light. And then having to take on male personas to be read at all. Their commitment to their craft shows true resilience. I think it’s time for another visit very soon.
I always feel better after reading one of your pieces. It has been a good while since I've read one of the Brontes, and now I feel a weekend with Wuthering Heights and some hot chocolate coming on.
It does make me sad to think of their need to take on male personas, but how brave of them! How much faith they had to have in their work and each other. We forget today the difficulties that classic authors, particularly women, endured for their art.
I loved this piece and can't wait to visit Haworth myself. Highlighting the Brontes struggles with the publishing industry has given me more hope with mine.
I love this viewpoint! It is so reassuring to know writers have struggled with the same things for so long. Im curious though- querying we know takes a long time, but how long very roughly would an agent or editor take to respond to a writer they already represent? I’m sure it’s hugely variable but I’m wondering what the ideal waiting time usually is so that no one loses their mind!
Katherine is right, Bonnie, but the latest survey in The Bookseller, shows that writers are waiting at least six months to a year, and often the same or more, to get paid. So just because we're not waiting for hand delivered correspondence, things have not sped up! For me personally, I've spent the past 3 years 'working' on my thriller, but the majority of that time has been spent waiting for my agent to respond with feedback. At least I can feel a little more kinship with the Brontës!
So you mean 6 months is a totally normal amount of time to wait for feedback? That’s so long!! How is anyone meant to stay sane?! I admire your patience and persistence.
I wouldn’t say that’s normal, but it does happen. I would suggest asking for clear timelines at all stages of the process. Any decent agent/editor should be able to give you that.
That was my thinking - that as long as I was kept informed it would be possible to focus on other things. It’s not knowing and drifting in limbo that’s the WORST!
Exactly. Communication can be an issue in publishing, so I make it a priority to ask questions and get clarity. Most people are respectful and understanding about these things. If not - that's a red flag IMO!
Impossible to answer, Bonnie! And depends on context. I know some agents/editors are much quicker than others. Sorry to be vague but I don’t think there’s really a definitive answer!
I always enjoy your posts, Katherine. They are thoughtful, insightful and reflect your sincerity.
You must feel very fortunate to be living in a part of the world where each day you can view landscapes that have been gazed upon by legends. I'm quite embarrassed to admit I've never read any of the Bronte novels - shhh, don't tell anyone. That said, I included JANE EYRE on a list of ten must read novels as part of an MFA assignment this autumn; three of which I will study in detail. You've convinced me JANE EYRE should be my third and final choice (I had previously studied THE ENGLISH PATIENT and ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE). Thanks for the "Bronte nudge" and for your fine work. Best regards, Brian
p.s. a shameless request and plug ... if you have a moment to take a peek at my website: https://brianrendell.com (it's so new it still has the new car smell) and leave me your thoughts, I'd be very grateful.
Thank you, Brian! I recommend Jane Eyre wholeheartedly. It’s a book I read as a teenager and have returned to often. Thanks for the link also. I’ll take a look this week.
Love this! I too have visited the museum many times over the years. 🥰 It reminds me of some Tweet I saw (via Instagram as I’ve never gotten on with Twitter) about how pay for writers hasn’t changed since the time of Little Women (that’s a bit depressing as I imagine that fee that the fictional Jo received was proportionately more in 1868). But your post is reassuring in that as you say, all writers have similar journey when it comes to fears around publication (although I’m not this far into the process just yet). Thanks for sharing. 🫶🏻
I've not commented on your posts for a while although I read them all. (I'll email you soon to explain). Haworth is well worth a visit but I find all the Bronte mugs, tea towels, cafes and biscuits a turnoff, although the parsonage itself is always inspiring.
I love this. There is hope in this for the yet unpublished author. If only query letters were so easy though 😄 My friend recently published a book on Anne Brontë about her life (non-fiction).
I enjoyed reading this. Thank you. The tentacles of history bind us all. I find comfort in the
permeability of the human experience and expression. There are things, however, that I wish were not on repeat.
Thank you for this inspiring post Katherine. I used to visit the Parsonage regularly as a teenager looking for inspiration and imagining the lives of Emily, Charlotte & Anne. Bereft of their mother and older sisters, writing by hand in candle light. And then having to take on male personas to be read at all. Their commitment to their craft shows true resilience. I think it’s time for another visit very soon.
It’s such a magical place. Wait until the Wuthering Heights fuss is over though - apparently Haworth is heaving this weekend 😆
I always feel better after reading one of your pieces. It has been a good while since I've read one of the Brontes, and now I feel a weekend with Wuthering Heights and some hot chocolate coming on.
It does make me sad to think of their need to take on male personas, but how brave of them! How much faith they had to have in their work and each other. We forget today the difficulties that classic authors, particularly women, endured for their art.
A timely reminder - Thank you, Katherine!
Thank you! It’s the perfect time of year for a cosy weekend with Wuthering Heights! Sounds good to me.
I loved this piece and can't wait to visit Haworth myself. Highlighting the Brontes struggles with the publishing industry has given me more hope with mine.
Thank you Jane! If you're a Brontë fan the Parsonage is a must!
I love this viewpoint! It is so reassuring to know writers have struggled with the same things for so long. Im curious though- querying we know takes a long time, but how long very roughly would an agent or editor take to respond to a writer they already represent? I’m sure it’s hugely variable but I’m wondering what the ideal waiting time usually is so that no one loses their mind!
Katherine is right, Bonnie, but the latest survey in The Bookseller, shows that writers are waiting at least six months to a year, and often the same or more, to get paid. So just because we're not waiting for hand delivered correspondence, things have not sped up! For me personally, I've spent the past 3 years 'working' on my thriller, but the majority of that time has been spent waiting for my agent to respond with feedback. At least I can feel a little more kinship with the Brontës!
So you mean 6 months is a totally normal amount of time to wait for feedback? That’s so long!! How is anyone meant to stay sane?! I admire your patience and persistence.
I wouldn’t say that’s normal, but it does happen. I would suggest asking for clear timelines at all stages of the process. Any decent agent/editor should be able to give you that.
That was my thinking - that as long as I was kept informed it would be possible to focus on other things. It’s not knowing and drifting in limbo that’s the WORST!
Exactly. Communication can be an issue in publishing, so I make it a priority to ask questions and get clarity. Most people are respectful and understanding about these things. If not - that's a red flag IMO!
Impossible to answer, Bonnie! And depends on context. I know some agents/editors are much quicker than others. Sorry to be vague but I don’t think there’s really a definitive answer!
I thought that was probably the answer!
I always enjoy your posts, Katherine. They are thoughtful, insightful and reflect your sincerity.
You must feel very fortunate to be living in a part of the world where each day you can view landscapes that have been gazed upon by legends. I'm quite embarrassed to admit I've never read any of the Bronte novels - shhh, don't tell anyone. That said, I included JANE EYRE on a list of ten must read novels as part of an MFA assignment this autumn; three of which I will study in detail. You've convinced me JANE EYRE should be my third and final choice (I had previously studied THE ENGLISH PATIENT and ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE). Thanks for the "Bronte nudge" and for your fine work. Best regards, Brian
p.s. a shameless request and plug ... if you have a moment to take a peek at my website: https://brianrendell.com (it's so new it still has the new car smell) and leave me your thoughts, I'd be very grateful.
Thank you, Brian! I recommend Jane Eyre wholeheartedly. It’s a book I read as a teenager and have returned to often. Thanks for the link also. I’ll take a look this week.
Love this! I too have visited the museum many times over the years. 🥰 It reminds me of some Tweet I saw (via Instagram as I’ve never gotten on with Twitter) about how pay for writers hasn’t changed since the time of Little Women (that’s a bit depressing as I imagine that fee that the fictional Jo received was proportionately more in 1868). But your post is reassuring in that as you say, all writers have similar journey when it comes to fears around publication (although I’m not this far into the process just yet). Thanks for sharing. 🫶🏻
I've not commented on your posts for a while although I read them all. (I'll email you soon to explain). Haworth is well worth a visit but I find all the Bronte mugs, tea towels, cafes and biscuits a turnoff, although the parsonage itself is always inspiring.
Ha! Yes, it is a bit cheesy, but as you say, the parsonage itself is wonderful.
Great post Katherine. I love the fact they self published!
Beautiful and poignant. Thank you
Thank you for reading!
I love this. There is hope in this for the yet unpublished author. If only query letters were so easy though 😄 My friend recently published a book on Anne Brontë about her life (non-fiction).
Thanks Jilly! That’s interesting - who’s your friend and what’s her book called?
‘Lay the flower where it’s fallen’ is the title and she goes under the name SF Taylor
Well said! I take great comfort from this - thank you 😊
Thank you for reading!