The “crack” of the literary world

Jun 19 2007

JK Rowling, Stephen King – these names usually bring up images of bestselling authors who seem to have the publishing world wrapped around their fingers. Yet many, also consider the two the "crack" of the literary world, or at the very least, comparable to a gateway drug.

While many criticize Potter and King because they appear to be able to sell an unnatural amount of books, there is no doubt that because of the two, countless people have taken up reading and never looked back.

Melissa Fryer, who is the art editor for the Nanaimo News Bulletin, became hooked on reading after picking up a Stephen King book:

I became a serious reader of more adult-oriented books at about Grade 6, giving up Jessica, Elizabeth and their world at Sweet Valley High. I love the feel of new books; the smooth cover and tightly packed pages, so when I saw Four Past Midnight in the supermarket, I bought it.

Perhaps instead of criticizing Rowling and King for writing books that sell, we should be thanking them. If a child gets hooked on Harry Potter, then perhaps they will start searching out other authors and books in an attempt to satisfy their literary cravings.

This is one of the big problems with the literary world. Literary authors tend to shun anyone who is considered a popular author and who can sell millions of books. They call them sell-outs and hacks. But at the same time, they also curse the public for not reading more and not buying their own books. It appears many literary types want to have it both ways.

I can understand the anti-commercialism sentiment of the literary world, since the big house publishers seem more concerned about profits and often leaving many deserving authors to fend for themselves. I can also understand the publishing world’s view that, like any other business, their goal is to make profits.

But given the pitfalls of the publishing world right now, and the ever-decreasing readership, even literary authors should praise the likes of King and Rowling simply for the fact that they are hooking millions of young kids on reading. And they won’t always be kids. They will grow up, and as they mature, their literary tastes will change, and they will probably consume the very literary books, written by the literary authors who denounce King and Rowling.

I haven’t read one Harry Potter book (although I have seen a few of the movies). I’ve read a few Stephen King books, but will admit they weren’t a huge influence on my literary likings. When I was younger, I read a wide range of books, which was influenced a lot by my own family – a family of avid readers!

Who will the next giant of the publishing world be? I don’t know. Neither does anyone else (there is speculation, but until the books start selling, it’s all speculation). But when they make their humble appearance, we should welcome them with open arms and just say "Thank you".

Read the entire article by Melissa Fryer here:
Author King the gateway drug to a literary habit

2 Responses

I think you’re showing your age when you mention Stephen King. Do you think kids and teenagers still read King? I know I did, but I was a teenager in the 1980s. I don’t know that he’d be anywhere near the top of the kids list these days.

J.D. 6/22/2007 3:15 pm
Hi JD, you make a really good point. Stephen King is a little outdated and I doubt today’s youth are flocking to his books like they once did. Perhaps JK Rowling is a little more relevent. Thank you for your comment!!!

Brad 6/23/2007 1:36 pm