I am at a strange point in my journey as a published writer that most of us in this field have experienced. I am neither widely read nor completely unknown. I am on the cusp of the next level. Thus, I am acknowledged, and recognized in some quarters and either ignored or dismissed in others. Some approach me to work with them, with respect and professional courtesy and others are affronted when I ask to be paid--even nominally--for my writing, because I actually have been paid, both for my fiction and my columns. Some ask to review my work, others exclude me from forums where Bangladeshi writers writing in fiction are discussed. It is a tough place to be because when I was an aspiring writer, I was new, I was just happy to get a personalized rejection letter. THAT to me was success for that stage. Now with some accomplishment, a growing publication history and even a great agent, its hard for me not to pause when my book is excluded for review or when one solicits me to write for them and then ignores me when I ask about payment. I guess I have paid some dues and now need to pay more. I guess this will be how it is until the novel comes out and then a whole new set of ego/existential crises will crop up I am sure. I read a barrage of angry , embittered tweets sent out by the author ayelet waldman when her book did not make a nyt notable books list. Lord dont let me be like that.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 01:24:13 +0000
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