What are the Top 5 issues in the literary community?

I posed the question ‘What are the Top 5 issues in the literary community?’ on socials and received quite a bit of thoughtful feedback. I’m going to share ideas that were discussed hoping to expand the conversation.

#1 – AI

You might have guessed AI was going to be in the Top 5. Writers are worried. We know from past new technologies that this is normative; however, the threat from AI somehow feels different. Down the road, there is a sense AI may eclipse humans in writing ability (in some capacities). What will change for The Arts? My prediction is that we’re going to have to focus on what makes each artform distinctly human. For visual art, this will be a little more straight-forward with a focus on tactile artforms and increased interest in work that has previously been called “outsider”.

What it will mean for writers is yet to be determined. We’re creative animals and our ingenuity is impressive so I wouldn’t count us out. We are pretty good at staying one step ahead of the curve. In this case, AI may constantly be playing catch-up while humans continue to find ways to “make it new”.

#2 – Community Culture

There was a shift that started on October 7. If you’re paying attention, and engaged on social media in the literary community, you have felt this. Almost immediately, I started to receive notes from poets and writers through backchannels that they had become fearful about sharing their view publicly.

Increasingly, poets and writers have indicated that they are self-censoring—not only in public discourse but in their own writing. A question is whether or not we’re still comfortable privately writing openly for ourselves. This should be a must for writers. Not everything you write has to be for publication. Balling up your emotions can make you physically ill. The writing community has enough problems with mental health.

On the subject of politics, writers expressed concerns over taking sides, others not being open to real discussion, political posturing, and feuds.

Antisemitism was mentioned repeatedly as a top concern. I agree.

Some expressed feelings of isolation and a struggle to find kinship with other writers. I believe this relates to other thoughts shared about the need for spaces that allow for healthy discussion and disagreement. Feelings that writers are spending too much time in siloed spaces within cliques.

#3 – Readership

It says something that this is NOT the #1 concern.

You would think that the #1 concern for writers is being read.

Sadly, we live in a time when writers are torn in many directions. Introverts are put in the position of feeling like they must be public-facing in some capacity (such as social media). This isn’t for everyone—and yet many find themselves pushed into these uncomfortable spaces for fear of being left out of the conversation or their work not receiving the attention it deserves.

Because the literary community, like any community, is a microcosm of society writ large, we’re in a related position of elites and, well, non-elites. I’m not a huge fan of using the word elites; however, that’s the term that gets thrown around. In this scenario, what we’re really talking about are poets and writers who get more of the limelight than someone who is not famous.

Beyond talent, we’re aware of some of the reasons why this is the case. Those who have attended Ivy League schools (even decades ago) are more likely to win awards. Big names, those who are “name-checkable”, are more likely to receive more attention. Attention yields further attention. It’s a snowball effect. Some folks are really good at “hacking” social media to get their work more attention and rise up in the literary community. They deserve credit for being good at making use of the tools available; that being said, this is different from earning accolades because you write well and have something of substance to share.

Concerns were raised about careerism (and narcissism) and a focus on publication instead of the act of writing itself, as well as a focus on self-promotion over the raising up of others and a lack of reciprocity. Competitiveness over collaboration.

Jealousy came up as an issue. Jeez, I wonder why?

#4 – The Economics of The Publishing Industrial Complex

Many concerns were raised about publication. This comes as no surprise.

Writers expressed questions and concerns of self, hybrid, and traditional publishing. What is “real” publishing? Frustrations about book mills, scams, pay to play (submission fees), and journals that don’t pay.

Contests are seen by many as shady.

Unpaid labor in the lit community was expressed as a concern. I agree, this is a problem. The belief (and unfounded pride) taken in having a staff that consists of all unpaid volunteers is not something to pat yourself on the back about. Usually, pay is unavailable because journals and presses cannot afford to pay. That doesn’t mean it should be this way.

#5 – Print vs. Online

Yes, the age old question— is print dead!?

This was mentioned in many forms. Do modern readers prefer reading online journals or print journals? Are younger readers more or less inclined to pick up a physical book? Has the Western Canon been abandoned?

Bonus:

More food for thought.

A number of other important questions were raised.

These include variations of concerns about:

·       Book bans

·       Cancel Culture

·       Not enough DEI initiatives

·       Class issues

·       The MFA as expected (to be considered a serious writer)

·       Editors not doing enough “real” editing

·       The trouble with distractions (like social media)

·       Playing the victim (on social media)

·       Punching down

·       Digestible writing gaining traction over quality writing