tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post2852424614532778536..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: What Constitutes a Title?BookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-11320711405953328612009-08-04T18:50:39.180-04:002009-08-04T18:50:39.180-04:00I never really thought about the distinction. I th...I never really thought about the distinction. I think it does go a little farther than just published and unpublished--it depends on what is published. I've always thought of an author as someone who primarily writes book-length material. I'm not sure if I would give that title to a short story writer or columnist who publishes a collection though. <br /><br />Seeing as I write in a variety of forms (plays, poetry, stories, novels, articles), I think I would prefer to remain known as a writer (and editor).Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13661968297027198340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-37319558459712758502009-07-15T18:35:54.603-04:002009-07-15T18:35:54.603-04:00I agree with the majority of you--writers write wh...I agree with the majority of you--writers write whether it's short stories, novels, press releases, TV scripts, newspaper articles and so on. <br /><br />An author is someone who has published a body of work whether it's a novel or a collection of short stories. That's how I feel about the distinction.<br /><br />Recently, I had this very conversation with my husband, and just last month, I finished my debut novel. He said, "Now you're a novelist." Wow. I didn't expect to hear that but it felt so good. Now to become an author!!!Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16685726789687443442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-21257199306784263332009-07-15T12:08:20.908-04:002009-07-15T12:08:20.908-04:00I describe myself as "freelance writer"....I describe myself as "freelance writer". Meaning, "I will write for you if you pay me". I might say that I'm the "author of the Keep Going You Fool blog" if I ever have the good fortune to gain a following worth bragging about.<br /><br />If I ever get a book published (oh, happy day!) I would describe myself as "author of <i>That Book Everyone's Talking About</i>" on my publicity materials, but if anyone asked me "what do you do?" I hope I'd always simply say "I'm a writer". Of course if I can generate income from my own writing I could drop the "freelance" tag; it's something to aspire to.<br /><br />I guess the bottom line is whether you're looking at your profession from the process side or from the results side. Either way it's a noble route to earning a living, right?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07338002014574933192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-17053803705958992112009-07-15T11:01:29.703-04:002009-07-15T11:01:29.703-04:00I have always felt that an author is a published w...I have always felt that an author is a published writer of books, fiction or non-fiction. And I do think it matters if you misrepresent yourself. I know someone who had business cards made claiming to be two things, when she was neither, and I was appalled.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-21742431821523633902009-07-15T00:54:49.735-04:002009-07-15T00:54:49.735-04:00I am the author of my published novel. I'm the...I am the author of my published novel. I'm the writer of the one I'm working on now.Lorelei Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07639663436142251951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-77401832997370728192009-07-14T18:25:37.149-04:002009-07-14T18:25:37.149-04:00I'm even harsher (and probably in the minority...I'm even harsher (and probably in the minority) - I don't think you're a writer until you've been published (short stories, poetry, etc.) -- you're an author when you've gotten a book published... otherwise, you're just someone who likes to write..Joshua McCunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367262185912463258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-61790646764981870172009-07-14T15:59:21.146-04:002009-07-14T15:59:21.146-04:00I've mentally thought of the word author as de...I've mentally thought of the word author as describing a writer who has published novels or non-fiction books, whereas a writer is one who writes everything else and could be published or unpublished.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-89862650184264392392009-07-14T12:14:02.218-04:002009-07-14T12:14:02.218-04:00An author is someone who has written something whi...An author is someone who has written something which is copyrighted, and can be used in their credentials. <br /><br />A writer is someone who writes, published or unpublished.<br /><br />An author can be, and should be, considered a writer, but a writer cannot automatically be called an author without published work to their credit.<br /><br />But that's just how I look at it, and I am simply a writer. :D-30-https://www.blogger.com/profile/13354197571977302917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-22668333435926307702009-07-14T11:50:26.106-04:002009-07-14T11:50:26.106-04:00I'm with those who identify themselves as writ...I'm with those who identify themselves as writers, even though published, but that I'm the author of a specific work. Writer is what I am; author identifies what I've written.<br /><br />At least the writer/author dichotomy is easier than the teacher/educator dichotomy! I am a <i>teacher</i>, not an <i>educator</i>--the latter term sounds stuffy and far too arrogant to me for what I do.joycemochahttp://joycemocha.livejournal.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-9048630279545035702009-07-14T11:14:36.133-04:002009-07-14T11:14:36.133-04:00I feel like the term author goes with a specific w...I feel like the term author goes with a specific work, so when referring to a person in relation to a work (or set of works) they are the author. By definition, that means non-published won't often have such referrals.<br /><br />Writer though, is the identity. It feels more inclusive of the broader thing we do and isn't bound or tied to a specific work or body of work.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-21708848865531107602009-07-14T10:04:01.110-04:002009-07-14T10:04:01.110-04:00A writer is one who writes. An author is one who h...A writer is one who writes. An author is one who has written. I am a writer, but I am the author of the (unpublished, so far) novels I have written. Personally, I think 'author' is best used when mentioning a person's work, not as a stand-alone identifier. That is, Joe is a writer, and the author of an unpublished mystery.<br /><br />Random House dictionary: author: a person who writes a novel, poem, essay, etc.; the composer of a literary work, as distinguished from a compiler, translator, editor, or copyist.<br /><br />Encyclopedia Brittanica: author: one who is the source of some form of intellectual or creative work; especially, one who composes a book, article, poem, play, or other literary work intended for publication.BJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02486893836923864197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-34223401984984327372009-07-14T08:41:48.904-04:002009-07-14T08:41:48.904-04:00I'm an unpublished amateur writer who's wo...I'm an unpublished amateur writer who's won a couple of contests. I'm not even a native speaker though I'm a graduated English major. I used to use the word author when speaking of writers a lot until someone said not to. As for my humble self, I simply prefer the sound of writer to author. So even if I ever get published, I'll remain a writer.Viviennehttp://www.twitter.com/viviennemorgainnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-66529361279368981162009-07-14T08:03:05.883-04:002009-07-14T08:03:05.883-04:00According to Webster, if you write, you're a w...According to Webster, if you write, you're a writer.<br /><br />They had a couple definitions for author: One that originates or creates, or the writer of a literary work. <br /><br />I think if you're unpublished and referring to a specific work of yours, you can say, "I am the author of that."<br /><br />Otherwise, saying that you're a writer sounds more accurate.S.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10637012429541938128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-7311425906789837352009-07-14T08:01:17.619-04:002009-07-14T08:01:17.619-04:00It's an interesting question - being unpublish...It's an interesting question - being unpublished, I'd feel uncomfortable calling myself an 'author' and only dare call myself a writer as it can reasonably be defined as 'someone who writes', which I do. I was hoping the dictionary would clear this up and say one is an occupation, but it mentions writing 'books' on both (ie, book as in finished product as opposed to manuscript) and for writer it specifically says 'for an occupation'. (This is AskOxford.com as my paper dictionary is at home.)<br /><br />I do think, though, that when you say 'author' to people they automatically picture a published book.Clarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04122069613332906904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-17350051848164931822009-07-14T07:25:37.812-04:002009-07-14T07:25:37.812-04:00Interesting. I've always called myself a write...Interesting. I've always called myself a writer and never thought much else about it. I am a writer. I happen to write books, but writing is what I do. <br /><br />Published or not, I don't think it's important how you label yourself as long as you put words on the page and get those books out there.Angie Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05843918280581285622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-39989317330925701622009-07-14T05:03:27.907-04:002009-07-14T05:03:27.907-04:00I call myself a writer. I have written a number of...I call myself a writer. I have written a number of published books, but I also write articles, distance learning courses, website copy, training materials, and so on. It seems to me that writer is a broader-based (and more accurate) description of what I do. If I called myself an author, I guess I'd be concerned people might think books were all I wrote.<br /><br />Nick Daws<br />www.mywritingblog.com<br />http://twitter.com/nickdawsNickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01610067412050376098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-36001579468695236692009-07-14T04:56:59.776-04:002009-07-14T04:56:59.776-04:00Wow, I've never given it any thought. I think ...Wow, I've never given it any thought. I think I'm going to have to differ from most of y'all and be *out* for making this distinction. Getting published is partly luck dependent, so I really don't think it means you've *earned* something that an unpublished author hasn't. And it would mean that Kafka died a writer but not an author. Do we distinguish between painters who've sold from those who haven't? Do we distinguish between composer and songwriter based on sales?<br /><br />This distinction seems a bit silly to me.London Mabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04344685160375710889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-74551266236447507682009-07-14T01:50:00.810-04:002009-07-14T01:50:00.810-04:00I am a writer - a professional in the sense I have...I am a writer - a professional in the sense I have written for my supper since I was twenty - I have now written my first novel, as yet unpublished, and have taken time to consider myself an author. I believe it an important switch in self consideration. To be an author, I must think like an author and behave like an author - whatever that entails. In other words, I must take myself seriously in a different mode or how can I expect others to do so?DOThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00719312854612984929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-62619868304244071052009-07-14T00:36:40.258-04:002009-07-14T00:36:40.258-04:00I'm with Mira (and apparently in the extreme m...I'm with Mira (and apparently in the extreme minority) - while the lines between author and writer are blurry, for me it seems to come down to whether the writer in question has finished a piece of work. I didn't start thinking of myself as an author until I finished my manuscript.<br /><br />Then again, maybe I'm in self-justification mode, since my snazzy new business cards have "author | blogger | friend" as the tagline :) But, I think I chose "author" over "writer" in that case because it just sounded better phonetically in that particular string of words -- I didn't even think of the possibility that I'll get cold glares of reproof from fellow writers.Sara Ramseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03143556068758258524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-20075117994776758712009-07-13T21:37:39.031-04:002009-07-13T21:37:39.031-04:00I call myself a writer, too.
However, I recently...I call myself a writer, too. <br /><br />However, I recently finished my first novel, which is quite an accomplishment, I think. It's a feat many "writers" haven't accomplished. <br /><br />So, maybe if you have actually written a novel, you can be an author. An unpublished author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-60692702922304204032009-07-13T20:40:36.357-04:002009-07-13T20:40:36.357-04:00I think every possible opinion has been offered he...I think every possible opinion has been offered here but I'll add mine to the poll. I have short stories and poetry published in anthologies and have been paid for my newspaper and magazine articles, but so far my novels are unpublished. I consider myself a writer and novelist, but not an author.<br /><br />Like the term "painter", "writer" doesn't adequately identify what we do, while "artist" and "author" are more specific.<br /><br />Careann/Carol J. Garvin<br /><br />More to consider: I have an aunt who says she will always *only* be a painter--that her husband was the truly talented artist. Both have produced beautiful work but his is outstanding. So does "artist" and "author" somehow denote a higher calibre of ability?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-6702905748571261522009-07-13T20:34:40.023-04:002009-07-13T20:34:40.023-04:00I call myself a writer and won't be comfortabl...I call myself a writer and won't be comfortable calling myself an author until I've been published. I wasn't even cool with saying "writer" until I started querying and considered myself to be serious about noveling.Jessica Brockmolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05333664969192588015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-72587976090715473852009-07-13T20:33:06.962-04:002009-07-13T20:33:06.962-04:00Oh, Amazon pre-order date...where are you?! WHEN a...Oh, Amazon pre-order date...where are you?! WHEN are you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-44543938114656566882009-07-13T20:31:05.819-04:002009-07-13T20:31:05.819-04:00I will always tell people "what I do" ba...I will always tell people "what I do" based on whatever I earn the most money doing. If it's my dayjob, then I give the title of my day job, if it's writing books, then I'd say "I'm a writer."<br /><br />Otherwise, I never mentioned writing unless asked point blank if I write, or maybe what I do in my spare time. Now, however, after having a sold a book (even though I will keep my dayjob), I hve a book to promote, so,,,as soon as I have a pre-order date on Amazon and a release date, annyone who asks about "what I do" will get the book info.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-84387912782012507332009-07-13T20:16:01.993-04:002009-07-13T20:16:01.993-04:00Also, in this context, that of a lit agent for boo...Also, in this context, that of a lit agent for books, author refers to either novelisst or non-fic book writer, not journal, mag or newspaper articles. (And not e-books or POD-only, although that's a different discussion).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com