Writing is easy. Getting published is hard. Getting published again is harder. And it’s easy to get discouraged.

During the 2025 Nebula Conference, I attended a workshop by Becca Syme of Better Faster Academy about career longevity among writers. Up front, she delivered the startling statistic that 80% of writers give up within three years. Her presentation focused on helping people set more realistic expectations and persist in the face of adversity. (Note: Her presentation, The Longevity Blueprint: Building A Career That Lasts, was really excellent and is still available to watch, but only for Nebula or Quasar attendees — or SFWA members. Note: you can still join SFWA or register for the upcoming Nebulas to gain access.)

The worst thing about publishing is that it’s stochastic. Outcomes are largely decoupled from inputs. You can do everything right and still not get published. Until you recognize that and internalize it, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Getting rejected really only means that this editor didn’t need this manuscript this time.

Still, I’m reminded of the Stupidity Demotivator: Quitters never win, winners never quit, but those who never win and never quit are idiots.

The real question, I suppose, depends on what one means by “winning”…

Many, many years ago my brother and I discussed career paths. His approach was to work at a job he hated, but which paid well, with the goal of saving enough to be able to retire early so he could do whatever he wanted. He retired around age 50 and has been “doing whatever he wants” for more than 15 years now. By contrast, my approach was “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” I found a career that was meaningful and satisfying and, although it was a lot of work (I aimed for 50-55 hours per week), it was work I generally enjoyed and found rewarding.

For me, my authorship is the same. I don’t write aiming to make a lot of money. I do it because I find it satisfying. I love to write. It makes me happy.

I’m sad, however, when I think of all the people who’ve crashed out. Who came to the party with high expectations and ended up going home alone. I wonder where you’ve gone and what it might take to get you to come back.

As I move toward full retirement, I’m devoting an increasing amount of my effort to trying to build sustainable communities to support writers. Straw Dog Writes, Wandering Shop Stories, and my work for SFWA all fall under this category. But they only address one side of the equation.

The money is harder. Economic forces are squeezing the publishing industry — and writers even more. Sociocultural shifts have resulted in fewer people buying and reading magazines and books. And now, Generative AI is flooding the marketplace with slop, making it that much harder for a new author to get discovered among the noise.

I remember Elizabeth Bear commenting that writers aren’t competing with one another: writers are all competing with the six-pack of beer at the party store for a purchaser’s dollar. I liked that way of looking at it. One of my goals for the coming year is to spend less money on beer and more buying books and then writing about them. Look for that here in the coming year. I hope you’ll still be here.