Rachel Kushner Quotes

Any fool can write a novel but it takes real genius to sell it.

Probably because I really love this bookmaking and storytelling world, I'd been thinking for years about the possibility of becoming a literary agent.

I wrote my first novel-length story when I was 14 but had no idea what to do with it. Brisbane was a long way from the publishing industry then. Nowhere's a long way from the publishing industry now.

Writing one's first novel, getting it sold, and shepherding it through the labyrinths of editing, production, marketing, journalism, and social media is an arduous and nerve-wracking process.

All writing and publishing is very difficult, regardless of genre. There are going to be obstacles no matter what.

When you write a book for publication, you're writing it for other people to read.

People generally don't recognize how long it takes to conceive, publish, and write a book.

Because most writers have totally unrealistic concepts of how publishing works.

I never want to deal with a book once I'm finished writing.

I'm not sure if you can strive your way into a career as a novelist. You have to write books; there are no short cuts.

There is nothing quite like having your book read and truly understood. It's all the better when it's someone who knows how to go out there and sell it.

I have been incredibly lucky with my novels but I had absolutely no idea if anyone would be interested in a cookbook. So I started to think about self-publishing.

A publisher should always be on the receiving end. He should take an interest in almost any subject and remain anonymous, letting the author take center stage.

I started out as a novelist and wrote several novels before deciding to publish one, and I fully intend to go back to the form.

Writers are essential. Readers are essential. Publishers are not.

No one was interested in picking up a midlist series, even though I have a decent fanbase and respectable numbers.

In so many ways, being a literary agent is an irresistible job to me. Not only does it involve all the things I love - being an advocate for others, problem solving, and going to meetings - yes, that's true, I love meetings, though everyone says it's bizarre! - but most importantly, I love working with people whose writing excites me.

I enjoy writing. Publishing... not so much. I've been lucky to work with some very talented people in the publishing world, and the print industry has allowed me to write full time.

No matter how well a person writes, a successful book is a team effort involving many, many people.

I am hoping to work with writers publishing books for first time, since I of course remember what that experience is like. It's all a bit of a mystery for new authors who don't know what to expect.

As a writer, I'm always aware of the fact that there are so many books out there.

For a lot of people, becoming an author is a change in occupation... they are coming from something that totally has nothing to do with this. If they are expecting to come into a room full of people praising them, then they are in the wrong place.

Publishing can be tough. It has the ability to kill dreams.

Sometimes writers say true things about the overall nature of publicity, promotion, and the publishing industry; but alas, not always.

I wanted to highlight that whole dreadful process in book publishing that 'nothing succeeds like success.'