When Authors Stop Publishing

When authors whose books you read stop publishing, do you wonder why? 

Several authors whose work I have enjoyed have stopped publishing. Some make public announcements but many do not. Authors like: Olivia Cunning, J.M. Darhower, Katy Evans, C.M. Foss, Linda Fairstein, Earlene Fowler, Cara McKenna, Katja Millay, Leah Raeder/Elliot Wake, Tina Reber, LaVyrle Spencer, Tammara Webber, and Joanna Wylde. These are some of “my” authors who have ceased publishing. I feel fortunate I enjoy re-reading special books, but I also acknowledge that I most assuredly miss continuing books from these authors. 

 

Within the following list are the actual reasons that several of the authors mentioned above stopped publishing.

 

 Observations and Questions

• This is about publishing and not writing. 
• We can be curious and still be respectful.  
• I'm aware of why a few of the above authors have stopped publishing but respectfully withhold proclaiming such.
• Some have mostly (or completely) disappeared from social media and even deleted their websites.
• Some authors use pseudonyms and ostensibly disappear by using their real names. 
• Does keeping an air of mystery positively affect their book sales in perpetuity?  
• Some authors return to publishing after lengthy breaks without an explanation.
• Did they decide it was the time to retire?  
• Did they feel their books weren’t doing well enough? 
• Did they feel they didn’t have any more stories to tell?  
• Did they feel like they couldn't keep up with the trends?
• Did they doubt their abilities?  
• Did they feel any rewards weren’t worth the negativity and possible outright animosity directed at them/their books? 
• Did they change careers?
• Was there a scandal?  
• Were there accusations of plagiarism? 
• Were there health reasons? 
• Family reasons, like divorce, illness, etc.? 
• We can certainly wish them well. 

 

How do you handle it when your authors no longer publish? 

 

Edited to add on 08/03/2024: In further looking for updates about the above authors, I found a huge amount of speculation and hearsay on sites like Facebook and Reddit. I also noticed people posting updates claiming knowledge of some of the authors. If it doesn't get posted by the author or administrator I won't consider it official. Although I can understand being disappointed when there are no forthcoming books, can we initially feel concern for their well-being? They are not writing machines, they are humans, and things happen that must take precedence over placating readers with an inappropriate sense of entitlement. 

 

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(rev. 08/26/2024)

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