Ursula Le Guin said "we will need writers who know the difference between production of a market commodity and the practice of an art", and as always she's 100% right. I've been noticing this trend in books lately – a lot of the current best-sellers and social media sensations just aren't that great. It's always quantity over quality, like publishers don't care about good writing and important messages anymore (if they ever did). Consumer culture and capitalism literally ruin everything lol.
I feel like they are. To start with, 90% of movies and shows now seem to be franchises because studios don't want to take any chances anymore, they'll only go for what they know will make money, not for movies/shows that actually have something to say :/
Yeah makes sense. I think the content difference between Apple TV+ and Netflix is a good example of the vast spectrum, with the latter leaning more for commodity and the former maybe more art? Strong maybe lol
I agree with that. I haven't been impressed with Netflix's quality for the last couple years, especially the movies. I swear half the scripts are written by AI they're so awful. Apple TV seems to have more depth to the subject matter and doesn't seem to churn things out quite as quickly.
Ok I’ve never read either romantasy series but did you listen to the latest episode of Bad on Paper podcast by chance? They had an interesting discussion on a very similar thing, i.e. “Is Fourth Wing Harry Potter for Adults?” that I found really interesting.
Speaking as a complete outsider, your commentary seems spot on. And sadly makes me want to steer clear of the series lol. I agree it is sad that consumerism and capitalism incentivize such a model and I feel for Rebecca Yarros!
I haven't listened to it, but I'll add it to my list of must-listens! That sounds like an interesting conversation, I'm curious what Becca and Olivia have to say.
The first book isn't bad, I found it enjoyable. It's just a stark contrast to the second and third in my opinion. Hopefully Rebecca taking a break means the fourth will be worth the read!
I find it interesting to think about Rebecca Yarros' experience as an author in 2023-25 and L.M. Montgomery's experience in the 1910s to 1930s. The Anne of Green Gables series is as long as it is because her publisher pushed her for it. And it shows! The books become less about Anne over time, her character sometimes doesn't feel much like the character we know and love, and, sadly, the books lose their charm as the series goes on. Obviously, consumer culture was very different back then and there was no internet or social media, etc. But there still seemed to be this need to capitalize on a success to squeeze even more money out of it. And, as you pointed out, ultimately, it's the author themselves and the fans who suffer for it.
Ooof that comparison is spot on. Even if the end goal isn't money, just the concept of "more more more" has a huge impact on the quality of the work. The finality of endings is what gives things meaning. It's why the deaths in something like Game of Thrones hit so much harder than those in Marvel, where there's always a loophole for the hero to come back to life.
Ursula Le Guin said "we will need writers who know the difference between production of a market commodity and the practice of an art", and as always she's 100% right. I've been noticing this trend in books lately – a lot of the current best-sellers and social media sensations just aren't that great. It's always quantity over quality, like publishers don't care about good writing and important messages anymore (if they ever did). Consumer culture and capitalism literally ruin everything lol.
Yes, it's so clearly quantity over quality! And as an audience we're conditioned to keep wanting more and more, which only feeds the cycle.
Bleh the double CCs lol. Agreed. Are tv and movies the same way?
I feel like they are. To start with, 90% of movies and shows now seem to be franchises because studios don't want to take any chances anymore, they'll only go for what they know will make money, not for movies/shows that actually have something to say :/
Yeah makes sense. I think the content difference between Apple TV+ and Netflix is a good example of the vast spectrum, with the latter leaning more for commodity and the former maybe more art? Strong maybe lol
I agree with that. I haven't been impressed with Netflix's quality for the last couple years, especially the movies. I swear half the scripts are written by AI they're so awful. Apple TV seems to have more depth to the subject matter and doesn't seem to churn things out quite as quickly.
And in the rare event they make an actually good series, they cancel it after one season because they can't be bothered to promote it!!
Netflix or Apple you mean?
Ok I’ve never read either romantasy series but did you listen to the latest episode of Bad on Paper podcast by chance? They had an interesting discussion on a very similar thing, i.e. “Is Fourth Wing Harry Potter for Adults?” that I found really interesting.
Speaking as a complete outsider, your commentary seems spot on. And sadly makes me want to steer clear of the series lol. I agree it is sad that consumerism and capitalism incentivize such a model and I feel for Rebecca Yarros!
I haven't listened to it, but I'll add it to my list of must-listens! That sounds like an interesting conversation, I'm curious what Becca and Olivia have to say.
The first book isn't bad, I found it enjoyable. It's just a stark contrast to the second and third in my opinion. Hopefully Rebecca taking a break means the fourth will be worth the read!
Thanks for this thoughtful piece, Lauren!
I find it interesting to think about Rebecca Yarros' experience as an author in 2023-25 and L.M. Montgomery's experience in the 1910s to 1930s. The Anne of Green Gables series is as long as it is because her publisher pushed her for it. And it shows! The books become less about Anne over time, her character sometimes doesn't feel much like the character we know and love, and, sadly, the books lose their charm as the series goes on. Obviously, consumer culture was very different back then and there was no internet or social media, etc. But there still seemed to be this need to capitalize on a success to squeeze even more money out of it. And, as you pointed out, ultimately, it's the author themselves and the fans who suffer for it.
Thank you so much for reading, Cassandra!
Ooof that comparison is spot on. Even if the end goal isn't money, just the concept of "more more more" has a huge impact on the quality of the work. The finality of endings is what gives things meaning. It's why the deaths in something like Game of Thrones hit so much harder than those in Marvel, where there's always a loophole for the hero to come back to life.
Yes, that's such a great point about endings! They're bittersweet and that's what gives them so much resonance.