Mary, you've grown stronger as a writer as your career has progressed. Your contribution to the Alien universe is incredible. It so much hit my wheelhouse. You so much deserve for this latest novel to be snatched up and published well. You are so incredibly talented. Can't wait to read what comes next!
Mary, I am not a writer by profession but I thank you for speaking up on the subject. I just turned 60 this past Oct and just recently was let go from my job of 18 years and am in the process of looking for something else now (happened very unexpectedly) so I want to thank you for your message as I have been in the process of trying to psych myself up for trying to find work again even though I'm a skilled legal assistant and have experience (banking/word processing/insurance many many things) but I still worry about not getting hired b/c of my age and I need to work/can't afford to retire. I NEEDED to hear that message right now. It resonated. So thank you.
Wow, as a 76 year old scribbler who has written 13 books, four published commercially, and others 'self-published' on Amazon, I can relate to this... a lot! After querying (and I'm still doing that) 115 literary agents and receiving only 5% replies, and them simply 'thanks but no thanks,' for my latest book, a literary faux memoir about growing up in the 60s/70s, it has seemed to me that there is a lot of bias in Big Publishing and Big Literary Agency.
I started writing in college in the early 70s. Kept at it but it wasn't till 1995 when my first book was published (I had written three by then). I managed to get three more published, the last in 2001, but it's been a long and fruitless slog since then (that is, getting a commercial publishing contract). Yeah, I can 'self-publish' on Amazon, but anything not 'commercially or small press, the real ones, published, will never be accepted for any literary prizes and will not be reviewed or mentioned (except 'for pay') by 'Big Lit.'
I know you are concerned about 40+ women writers of horror, but according to what I've seen and read here and there, publishing and literary agencies are run by 40+ women. And, sadly, they are no longer interested in books written by men, at least not for the literary branch of the houses.
So, based on my real, lived experience, I many never find a 'house' for my latest book(s) before I end up 'over the rainbow.' It makes me a little sad, but it makes me a lot angry.
I believe that publishing in America now is akin to what it was like in Soviet Russia in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Anyone there and then writing anything that did not glorify the Soviet State and its history and values, was not published.
A similar situation exists now in our country.
I hope you find a house for your work. If I was in my fifties, I'd be looking at a good 20 more years of creative writing. You should feel that way now.
Seriously powerful message! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Mary, you've grown stronger as a writer as your career has progressed. Your contribution to the Alien universe is incredible. It so much hit my wheelhouse. You so much deserve for this latest novel to be snatched up and published well. You are so incredibly talented. Can't wait to read what comes next!
Mary’s letter spoke deeply to my soul as an unknown middle-aged female author of philosophical science fiction. Thank you.
Am I wrong to say just how much I love that anthology title, GABA GHOUL???
Thank you, Mary, for this letter.
Words of wisdom, and Brian… just kidding! I’m hoping for a beastly anthology in the tradition of the one so many of us are excited to read in 2025.
Mary, I am not a writer by profession but I thank you for speaking up on the subject. I just turned 60 this past Oct and just recently was let go from my job of 18 years and am in the process of looking for something else now (happened very unexpectedly) so I want to thank you for your message as I have been in the process of trying to psych myself up for trying to find work again even though I'm a skilled legal assistant and have experience (banking/word processing/insurance many many things) but I still worry about not getting hired b/c of my age and I need to work/can't afford to retire. I NEEDED to hear that message right now. It resonated. So thank you.
Feel you. We're same gen. I was born 1982. My novel The Crew captures my high school days of 2000.
Wow, as a 76 year old scribbler who has written 13 books, four published commercially, and others 'self-published' on Amazon, I can relate to this... a lot! After querying (and I'm still doing that) 115 literary agents and receiving only 5% replies, and them simply 'thanks but no thanks,' for my latest book, a literary faux memoir about growing up in the 60s/70s, it has seemed to me that there is a lot of bias in Big Publishing and Big Literary Agency.
I started writing in college in the early 70s. Kept at it but it wasn't till 1995 when my first book was published (I had written three by then). I managed to get three more published, the last in 2001, but it's been a long and fruitless slog since then (that is, getting a commercial publishing contract). Yeah, I can 'self-publish' on Amazon, but anything not 'commercially or small press, the real ones, published, will never be accepted for any literary prizes and will not be reviewed or mentioned (except 'for pay') by 'Big Lit.'
I know you are concerned about 40+ women writers of horror, but according to what I've seen and read here and there, publishing and literary agencies are run by 40+ women. And, sadly, they are no longer interested in books written by men, at least not for the literary branch of the houses.
So, based on my real, lived experience, I many never find a 'house' for my latest book(s) before I end up 'over the rainbow.' It makes me a little sad, but it makes me a lot angry.
I believe that publishing in America now is akin to what it was like in Soviet Russia in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Anyone there and then writing anything that did not glorify the Soviet State and its history and values, was not published.
A similar situation exists now in our country.
I hope you find a house for your work. If I was in my fifties, I'd be looking at a good 20 more years of creative writing. You should feel that way now.
Best!
Thanks for letting Mary share your platform. Would love to hear more from her.
A powerful message from Mary. And also, Twisted Sister is always inspiring in one way or another.