Tony Hillerman's Example-Write what you know

Cover of Seldom Disappointed: A Memoir=photo in New Mexico

by Jean Purcell

editor@opinebooks.com

Follow on Twitter @opinaripeople

My husband and I have read every Tony Hillerman (d. 2008) fiction book, and we have watched two Hillerman movies. Finally, when the author's memoir, Seldom Disappointed, was released, I bought it and found interesting tales about writing and life, along with good humor, advice, and insight for writers and fans.
     Tony Hillerman became a best-selling author published in many languages. He lived in New Mexico, the scene of his crime novels. At the beginning of his attempts to sell his book manuscripts to publishers, however, a literary agent advised him to drop his Navajo context and characters. "Readers are not interested. It won't sell," was the general point. In his writing memoir, Seldom Disappointed, Hillerman told the story. Ironically, then, readers came to love this new author of Leaphorn and Chee books. Robert Redford made two movies based on HarperCollins books about the fictional Navajo detectives.

     Hillerman is not the only author to be encouraged to change directions. How did he know to follow his instincts instead of professional opinion, which he did not easily cast off. The experienced agent was giving professional advice. Yet, in Hillerman's case, it did not fit. Who could know?

     A key writer's mantra, "Write what you know," surely helped in this author's life. Like many other authors, he knew the landscape, life, and people that he wrote about. Throughout his career, he was  honored not only with writing awards but also with a special Navajo Nation award. 

  "For all the recognition he received, Mr. Hillerman once said, he was most gladdened by the status of Special Friend of the Dineh (the Navajo people) conferred on him in 1987 by the Navajo Nation. He was also proud that his books were taught at reservation schools and colleges." ( source: New York Times)   

 

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What every writer needs to know about scams, bad deals, and day jobs

If you are invited to receive an "award," "special status," or a listing in an "important professional/executive registry," and then...you find out there's a payment, from you!, attached to the "honor," what do you do?

To quote Shutter Island, Run!!!

Professional agents do not ask for or require money up front, before they've arranged contracts or sales; then, their fees are based on percentage of what they earned for the writer!
Professional registries, directories, and awards do not ask for or require any payment from the honoree, or listee! Ever.

Not a scam, but not a good deal, is the self-publishing contract that does not allow the author to set the list price for his or her book. Self-publishing means the author is the publisher, and publishers set the prices.
Authors need to look for companies, print-on-demand (POD) or other, that give pricing decisions to the author, who is their client.

Also not a good deal, in OQ's view, is the case where authors are required to buy books from the printer at prices that vary, based on number of books ordered together. Re: pricing, a better deal is to find a printer, POD or other, that gives the same, fair, low (compared with the list price) author (owner) purchase price every time.

Don't leap into any business opportunity. If it cannot wait 24 hours or more, it likely is not worth much. 

Writers are targets of more scams than bulls eyes at a shooting range. Unfortunately, writers beginning to seek publication often do not know this. "Buyer beware" if  "offered" a special status or client position attached to payments outgoing from your wallet.

Also, as we say: "Don't quit your day job," especially if your first book is a bestseller or award-winner. The shelf life of most books is strongest six months after publication. It is the rare book that sells well beyond that time. At the point of some success with one book, it's the next books' marketplace successes the writer cannot take for granted. Huge success may, or may not, happen again.
Keep writing!