Jason Alexander and Why I'm Optimistic About Publishing

"You're Giving Me The 'It's Not You, It's Me' Routine? I Invented 'It's Not You, It's Me.'"

There have been 25% fewer middle grade books published so far this year than the same period last year. Last month, we talked about the middle grade slump that publishing seems to be going through at the moment, and just in general, there seems to be a grey cloud over the heads of everyone involved in the publishing world.

But you know what? I’m optimistic. Even excited.

A few weeks ago I saw an interview clip with Jason Alexander that I’ve been thinking about ever since. Here it is, and skip ahead to 2:40:

In this clip, just to summarize, Jason talks about how the most frustrated actors right now are the ones waiting for someone to give them the gig. He says that the days of only thinking as an actor are over, and now we must make the gigs/projects ourselve. We must gather the actors and cinematographers and directors and make good stuff ourselves.

Now, this clip is obviously about acting, but I think it applies to writing and publishing just as much, and pretty much any creative endeavor these days. And here’s the thing: I’m not really talking about self-publishing.

Not the full-fledged self-producing books type self-publishing as we know it. Certainly that’s a significant and very valid part of the “create your own gig” pie, but I think taking Jason’s recommended approach is more expansive and full of opportunity even than that. Muchly so.

And that expansiveness actually makes me think that now, right now, is one of the coolest times to be an artist and creative person.

I don’t want this to be overwhelming. I am not at all entrepreneurial, and I haven’t self-published for that very reason. The idea of doing a lot of those things myself actually terrifies me. So why does this advice from a comedy great make me excited and optimistic? Two reasons:

First, collaboration. I’m not a director or a producer or a lighting designer or a costumer. I’m not a copyeditor or a cover designer. But you know what? The people who are are incredible. They are extremely talented and just as invested in their art and their work as I am. They’re not going to give up on creating cool stuff any more than I am, whether the traditional way of doing things is functioning in its traditionally functioning way or not. And where there’s talented, invested people, there’s always hope. There’s always cool stuff happening.

And second, creating our own gigs means infinite things.

Again, I don’t want this to be overwhelming. The type of gig creating that is hiring an editor and a cover designer and figuring out Amazon KDP algorithms and essentially becoming your own publishing house makes my brain want to shrivel like a raisin and get lost in the dust under the couch. Mad, mad props to those who thrive in that type of gig creating. I am awe-struck, and don’t know how you do it.

But listening to Jason, I realize, that’s only one small slice of the gig creating pie. If we’re making things ourselves, that means not just three thousand types of things to make, but three thousand means of making those things.

Here are some “creating my own gig” ideas that have me excited:

• Writing pilot scripts and feature films and submitting them to competitions.

• Talking with other interested screenwriting friends about producing our own shorts.

• Writing books in new genres and age categories.

• Making the types of comics, poems, and songs I want to make and publishing them on social media.

• Writing narrative text-based games using Twinery and publishing them on itch.io.

• Possibly creating a second or third newsletter about film and/or poetry.

And here are some other ideas that, while they sound completely overwhelming and intimidating to me personally, have worked incredibly well for other writers and creative types. Maybe they sound exciting to you:

• Starting an editing or author coaching business.

• Publishing serialized fiction on Substack.

• Full-fledged writing and producing books for publication with places like KDP.

• Building a majority income stream from a speaking and school visit route.

• Starting an online or print magazine.

• Companies that provide typewriter poets for parties (there are more than you’d think.)

Look how wide a variety of possibilities there are! And these are just a few of the ideas I’ve seen. This strategy of creating your own gigs makes me excited, because the number of options means that we can follow where our natural tendencies and muses take us, and it’s okay to ignore the other stuff.

I also love that in this interview, Jason ends by talking about how as we create our own opportunities, it will attract people who can give us the kinds of opportunities we can't make for ourselves. And I believe in that kind of karma.

What type of gig creating ideas sound most exciting to you?

And now…

Let’s talk about Jason!

10 Jolly Japing Jasons!

1. The Writing of Seinfeld and George Costanza.

I’m giving you another clip from the same interview as above because it’s just so delightful, and has some great writing thoughts here too. The video title makes it seem like it’s mostly about Larry David, but it’s really about the way Seinfeld did things well, and did new things from a writing standpoint. It’s absolutely worth listening to.

2. Now we’re entering another dimension:

Did you know that Jason Alexander narrates some Twilight Zone radio dramas? I haven’t listened to them yet but that combination sounds delightfully discombobulating. I think we should all give them a try.

3. Seinfeldia

So I listened to this as an audiobook a few years ago, and as both a pop-culture history and as a deep dive into specific types of writing and storytelling, it is absolutely fascinating. I absolutely love knowing things like, that while three of the main cast were good buds and spent a lot of time goofing off on set together, Michael Richards was off on his own, very intently and seriously going over his physical gags again and again and again. Absolutely a cool book, with lots of good Jason stories too.

4. I’m Loving It.

Ok I just had to…

5. A Guy Like You

This is the most 90’s “Making Of'“ video to ever 90’s, but I still love it! And I love how easy Jason is on camera even doing silly things like this. And I love getting behind the scenes of Disney movies, especially one that I think has some of the best music of any Disney movie. (And anyone else find it especially jarring to watch Tom Hulce in anything after Amadeus?)

6. I’m Disturbed, I’m Depressed, I’m Inadequate

Seinfeld, and George’s character in particular, is a spectacular study in banter and witty dialog. We writers could do worse than studying some of George’s best lines, and here are 15 to get you started.

7. In The Flesh

If you want to see Jason in person (and you’re in Chicago) you’re in luck! He’s back on the stage in Judgement Day at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Honestly I’m jealous of you windy city residents, and would love to go see this!

8. Jason Picture Books??

I’m always a bit skeptical of adult-pop-culture based picture and board books like this, but also part of me is incredibly intrigued? How can something as jaded as Seinfeld possibly be translated into picture book?? Something to investigate.

9. Storytelling Podcast for Kids!

The Circle Round podcast has some great folktale and folklore retellings from cultures all around the world. And Jason happened to be in the studio when they were recording the first episode! He does some absolutely delightful character voices.

Elizabeth Holmes

has an excellent interview with Rebecca Shier of the podcast, all about how they created this podcast and update fairytales for a modern age.

10. Middle Grade Comedy

Since we’re talking about a comedian, I thought I’d bring up a couple recommendations of my favorite middle grade funny folks. Yumi Chung is a heartfelt and adorable story about an aspiring comic, and anything by Arianne Costner is laugh out loud and perfect for readers looking for Wimpy Kid vibes, but a little bit leveled up.

Teachers and Librarians: I would love to do a free virtual Q&A with your class or book group! If you’re interested in scheduling a visit you can reach out to me via my website. Let me know how I can support you! I’ve also got free classroom resources to accompany each book. You guys are rock stars!

Thanks for reading everyone, and now I’m going to go watch Cinderella!

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-Sarah

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