The Speed Trap in Publishing—What’s Happened to Writing?

Speed has become the publishing industry's new currency. Writers are expected to churn out books at an unsustainable pace to meet market demands. This shift threatens the essence of great writing — depth, nuance, and emotional resonance. 

As a slow writer myself, I’ve felt the pressure to "write to market" and adopt rapid release strategies. While I’ve improved my process, I can’t produce several books a year without sacrificing quality. And frankly, I enjoy taking my time with stories.  

When Did Publishing Become a Sprint? 

Publishing has turned into a race. Algorithms favor authors who release frequently, and readers, spoiled for choice, consume books as if bingeing a TV series.  

This shift owes much to self-publishing and digital platforms. The logic is simple: the more you write, the more visible you remain. And visibility is everything in today’s saturated market.  

Yet this fast-paced model comes at a cost: 

Quality suffers: Characters feel flat, plots grow predictable, and prose becomes forgettable.  
Creativity dwindles: Innovation and introspection are sidelined in favor of meeting deadlines.  

Of course, some prolific authors manage to maintain quality while keeping pace. But they’re exceptions, not the rule.  

Writing on the Assembly Line  
Treating books like products drains the art from writing. Authors rush to meet market demands, producing formulaic works aimed at quick sales rather than lasting impact.  

Why do writers push themselves this way? Fear. Fear of being forgotten. Fear of being overlooked.  

Readers often prioritize quantity over quality, and the industry caters to this appetite. But literature is art, not just a commodity. And art cannot thrive under relentless pressure.  

Remember When Patience Was Celebrated?  
Once, authors could spend years perfecting a single book. Gabriel García Márquez spent over a decade on *One Hundred Years of Solitude*. Donna Tartt takes nearly ten years to craft each novel. Their works endure because they had time to mature.  

Today, authors who take their time risk obscurity. The rapid release cycle overshadows their efforts. Yet slow writing offers undeniable rewards:  
- Ideas mature: Concepts evolve naturally, gaining depth.  
- Characters grow: They become layered and authentic.  
- Themes deepen: Writers can explore complex topics without rushing.  

When writers slow down, they can create stories with lasting impact — stories that resonate, surprise, and challenge readers.  

The Cost of Speed for Writers  
The relentless demand for speed takes its toll on writers:  
- Burnout: Creativity dries up when writing feels like an assembly line.  
- Stress: Deadlines overshadow the joy of storytelling.  
- Compromise: Writers feel forced to choose marketability over artistry.  

Many writers produce at breakneck speed out of necessity. Books are modestly priced, leaving volume as the only path to financial sustainability. And readers often wait for a series to be complete before buying — fueling the need for rapid output.  

Can We Shift the Focus Back to Quality?  
Change starts with readers. When readers value depth and originality over speed, the industry will adjust. Publishers and platforms must also step up by:  
- Promoting books that challenge trends.  
- Supporting authors who take their time.  
- Investing in diverse voices and perspectives.  

For writers, resisting the pressure to produce at an unsustainable pace is key. Trust that your work—given time and care—is worth the wait.  

Why Slow Writing Still Matters?  
Slow writing allows stories to breathe and grow. While fast writing often relies on tropes, slow writing digs deeper, revealing truths that linger with readers.  

Books should do more than entertain. They should inspire thought and offer insights into the human experience. But this can only happen when writers have the freedom to create without haste.  

The Future of Writing  
The fast-paced nature of publishing may not slow down, but that doesn’t mean slow writing has to vanish. There’s room for fast and slow writers alike. What matters is staying true to your process.  

As a writer, focus on quality over quantity. Resist the urge to conform to unsustainable expectations. Take the time your stories need.  

And readers? Be patient. Support writers who create with care. Great stories are always worth the wait.