I’m one of those people who is a trendsetter without even knowing it.
In the 1980s, I lived a wild life in New York and San Francisco, clubbing and dining the nights away. I prowled for a husband. Soon after I was married, chick lit books like Bridget Jones' Diary became popular. (Please note it never occurred to me to write about my experiences.)
I had my first child in 1992, my second in 1995, and POW! A few years later books about having children were all the rage. Anne Lamott’s Operating Instructions became a ubiquitous baby shower present. (Note #2: I did not write one of these either)
From then on I vowed to pay closer attention to my life so I could capitalize on my natural angst. Therefore, I am happy to announce that the next trend is MOTHERS WRITING BOOKS. (Yes, I know that Camille Peri and Kate Moses already have edited a number of excellent anthologies on that topic) Evidence for my declaration: two deals announced this week in Publisher’s Marketplace.
“Christina Katz's WRITER MAMA, showing how moms can launch a successful and productive writing career while taking care of the kids, to Jane Friedman at Writer's Digest Books, by Rita Rosenkranz at Rita Rosenkranz Literary Agency.”
“Hip Mama series creator Ariel Gore's HOW TO BECOME A FAMOUS WRITER BEFORE YOU'RE DEAD, an irreverent guide for aspiring writers to self-promotion and becoming buzzworthy, detailing the real ways that authors go from obscurity toliterary success, to Katie McHugh at Three Rivers Press, at auction, by Faye Bender”.
Now I just have to shove the kids aside and get to work.
1 comment:
Frances: I have a curious question, largely because the issue seems to have cropped up with many women writers I've talked with for the Bat Segundo Show. But I'm curious why it never occurred to you to write about your experience. Did it slip your mind or did you feel that you weren't ENTITLED to write about them?
The reason I ask is that I seem to be unearthing a trend in the publishing industry (particularly in fiction) in which a woman who writes in conventional terms about a common issue such as a wedgie or, say, pornography is not granted the same freedoms as a man (see Jonathan Franzen's Shit Monster). Was curious what your take on this was.
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