Have you noticed lately that many authors, especially those writing mysteries, thrillers, and romances, are producing more than the usual one-book-a-year formula. Well, the reason for this increase is that the “e-book age has accelerated the metabolism of book publishing.” In a Sunday, NYT’s story, author Lisa Scottoline states that e-book readers want more and more books to be available to be downloaded with the tap of a button. So publishers are putting pressure on authors to increase their productivity.
In order to meet this need, authors are increasing their output in different ways. Lisa Scottoline must write 2,000 words a day in order to meet her schedule. Lee Child, Jack Reacher’s creator, supplements his hardcover books with short stories . John Grisham has added the Theodore Boone series to his writing output. And, of course, James Patterson, who produced 12 books last year, often writes with a co-author. Thankfully, literary novelists are not under the same pressure.
Some authors have become to accept this necessary requirement of the book market. They may not be happy about it because it obviously takes more work to produce more writing, but it is today’s reality for writers.