If books
can help us solve problems, shouldn’t authors get together to agree on which
problems should be made a priority to write about? Or
do we let the current system of letting writers choose what to write about stay
in place, even if it means society doesn’t benefit as much?
Imagine
a more organized society where authors are encouraged, rewarded, and assisted –
provided they write on approved topics within certain parameters. If it’s determined that we need fewer books on
bullying and abortion, but more on guns and the environment, what incentives
would we give to those who choose to write on these topics? To give such incentives and assignments, is
that a form of government censorship -- or is it merely a smart and fair way to
rally our nation’s writing resources?
If the
country needs more nurses, private practices and the government would start
paying higher salaries, increasing training, and doing a better job of
recruitment. If the nation needs more
books on a topic, what concerted effort – and by whom – has or can be made to
encourage writers to cover it?
Maybe we
need an app that does matchmaking, lining up what books need to be written to
writers who are willing and able to write them.
Simultaneously, should we have incentives not to write about overdone or
useless topics? Who is to say that
nothing new can or should be written on such areas?
Further,
should we encourage more non-fiction books to be written over fiction? After all, shouldn’t writers first inform us
of what is before we explore who we could be?
On the
other hand, could fiction at time be more valuable instructive, and interesting
than non-fiction? Books don’t just
convey or preserve information, but rather, they explore ideas, fantasize
alternative universes, prosper theories, and help us dream.
But of
the million-plus new books released each year, we probably could use a little
more of some kind of books, and fewer of others. Further, we need different areas and angles
of an issue explored deeper, further.
Maybe we
need books that discuss how to solve real problems, from cancer and terrorism
to environmental meltdown and government corruption. And we need fewer books about star athletes,
celebrities, and criminals. But that
becomes a judgment call of personal preference.
Could we
really have a way of guiding writers to cover underserved areas, the way we
incentivize people to move and work in Alaska, or to take up a job that’s
dangerous?
Perhaps.
Some
writers will write about anything if there’s enough money flowing their way. Others will feel like they are serving their
country by stepping it up. Some writers
will become enraptured in an egotistical thing, to overcome a challenge. Certainly other writers will be curious to
see if they can uncover something new or different on the topics offered.
Maybe we
need a kind of Peace Corps approach to books, where we identify needs and then
recruit writers to fill the voids.
Writers can come to the rescue and put a spotlight on an issue and raise
awareness for it. One book will beget
others and before you know it, you have a dialogue going.
So what
would we focus a group of writers on?
·
Books
that explain things well on topics like historical events, how to make money,
and how to live a full life
·
Books
on important things – health, parenting, peace, and government
·
Stories
that truly inspire our youth
·
Books
that promote literacy and education
We need
books on everything and anything, but we could do with fewer books about Kim
Kardashian or Bill Cosby. Engineering
the world through books can be powerful and it might require an organized
effort but realistically, we can’t architect or quarterback which books get
published. As long as a book adds value,
it should be published. Alternative viewpoints, contrarian ideas, new takes on old information, and fresh voices with
unique perspectives deserve to be heard.
We can’t have a quota system for books. Book eugenics may not serve us well.
What we
need to organize, however, are higher standards to be imposed for those looking to
publish a book. Whether it’s
self-publishing or the Big 5, we need to demand writers adhere to certain
quality controls. Books need editing,
fact checking, and so many other things before they are worthy of being placed
in the hands of others. Some books just
don’t measure up.
In the
coming year I’m sure there will be some books that debut with a lot of success
and take us by surprise. There will be
great books that come out that we didn’t anticipate and couldn’t even imagine
would exist. No amount of planning can
guarantee such books would get published and maybe if quotes were in place,
some of these books wouldn’t ever see the light of day. That would be a shame.
Writers
are free to pursue their heart and what they believe is important. Perhaps that’s the best way.
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