All the talented writers in the world can’t create a lasting, dynamic literature—a literature that moves forward—if there are no workers to push their books to a higher standard, guide them, pay them, or get their books into the hands of readers who might appreciate it.
I guess I mostly read the New Left Review extended universe, obscure academic shit and "reactionary liberals" for the frisson, but I had no idea anybody held the combination of opinions expressed in this very interesting essay.
What a load of bollocks. There are large to small publishing houses flourishing everywhere. As you say: "In New York, home to more publishing professionals than any other American city, the average entry level salary is around $45,000." Not a high salary but considerably more, probably quadruple, the average income for an author in the same city. Meanwhile the paid employees of these publishing houses increasingly view literature through a narrow political lens, generally a so-called progressive lens. Such a lens is blind to great writing in which aesthetics will always trump social concerns and political manifestos. Physician heal thyself.
I came to this via Arts & Letters Daily and can't figure out what made them think it worthy of their 'Nota Bene' column. Denis Dutton would spit. The lack of self-awareness is staggering.
I guess I mostly read the New Left Review extended universe, obscure academic shit and "reactionary liberals" for the frisson, but I had no idea anybody held the combination of opinions expressed in this very interesting essay.
What a load of bollocks. There are large to small publishing houses flourishing everywhere. As you say: "In New York, home to more publishing professionals than any other American city, the average entry level salary is around $45,000." Not a high salary but considerably more, probably quadruple, the average income for an author in the same city. Meanwhile the paid employees of these publishing houses increasingly view literature through a narrow political lens, generally a so-called progressive lens. Such a lens is blind to great writing in which aesthetics will always trump social concerns and political manifestos. Physician heal thyself.
I came to this via Arts & Letters Daily and can't figure out what made them think it worthy of their 'Nota Bene' column. Denis Dutton would spit. The lack of self-awareness is staggering.