9-5 Musings: Some Thoughts on Art and Labor
How writing becomes your life, even when it's not (and other news)
It is no secret that I work as a bookseller. I have made that abundantly clear thousands of times.
I’ve worked in three bookstores in my lifetime, a career that will have spanned 10 years next month. Like with writing, I have felt at home working in a bookstore and had even considered opening up my own once upon a time. I never did, not sure if I ever will. But it’s safe to say that after all these years, I am a bookseller at heart.
When I chose to pursue a writing career after high school, I didn’t think I’d be doing anything else. Of course, it was my naive youthful idealism that thought my writing—in particular, my poetry—would be enough to sustain myself. I saw myself winning awards right away, winning all the fellowships, and receiving all the advances before even understanding how advances worked.
In other words, I had no clue how to earn a living as a writer. In most cases, you don’t. You earn a living elsewhere to sustain your writing. In a way, you pay—at least, what I like to call—a writer’s rent. You write to earn your keep, your food, your home, and your writing life. It’s all part of the price of living. For most writers, it’s the reality we cannot escape. Not everyone will be on that NYT bestsellers list—not that everybody should either.
I’m happy to have been blessed with bookselling as my 9-5, though. I have had numerous discussions with friends and coworkers about other forms of employment to sustain my writing—in particular, my poetry. Sure, there are much-better-paying jobs out there. But I applied for them, and they did not want me, which was a mutual feeling most of the time. I didn’t want to work in an office. I like working with books and meeting people who actively want to read. I like setting up my displays with my own curated recommendations. Yes, there are limits to what I can display at work, and what I can order for customers. But I am happy to be passionate about what I sell in the store. I often joke with customers that I’m a much better bookseller than I ever would be a salesperson at a car dealership. It’s often a dead-serious joke.
This is especially true due to other jobs I’ve had in my lifetime. I worked as a barista. I worked as a kitchen worker. I worked in a retirement home. I worked in a college grocery store. I worked as a substitute teacher—I have a whole other essay in the works on that experience alone. All of those are jobs that made me money, obviously never enough. I continue to struggle financially. I’ve been in such bad financial spots for the entirety of my adult life that I cannot imagine my life any other way, no matter how many times I’m told to manifest it.
Still, I’m happy in some ways. Or maybe happiness is not what it is. Blessed, maybe? They can be the same thing, right?
That said, if there’s ever anything I wish for my writing, it is more time. Like every adult in the world, I have obligations—bills to pay, dinners to cook, friends to see, appointments to keep, etc. And, of course, my 9-5. My writing takes center stage in my head. But when it comes to my real-world schedule, writing is given only 15% of my time—and that is a generous 15%. Sometimes I go days without writing. I’m often thinking of it. But I don’t always have time to get to my computer or notebook. As aforementioned, things come up that require my attention. It’s a tough reality to maneuver. But it is what it is.
In a way, my lack of time to write has helped me appreciate what I love about it. I love sitting down and expressing myself through stories and essays. I may not be doing it every day, but damn does it feel good when I do. There is no high greater than that of satisfying your artistic urges. Ask any artist. They’ll most likely agree.
Thus, my 9-5 musings. I write when I can. I work when I have to. I make use of the time I have. Hopefully, I’ll have more of it soon. That and money.
What I’m Reading:
Two books! This time I decided to pick up a novel alongside a nonfiction title.
The first one I picked up was Before and After the Book Deal by Courtney Maum. I have plans for some projects this year, and I have been following Courtney Maum’s own Substack for a while. Her book, like her Substack, is filled with so much good advice and information regarding the publishing industry. Not maybe books touch upon the post-publication part of the author’s journey. So I was very happy to find Maum’s book when I did.
As for the novel, I chose to pick up I’ll Be Right There by Kyung-Sook Shin. I just started this one, so I don’t have too much to say about it right now. That said, it’s been on my shelf for a very long time—I think I picked it up back in college(!). From what I’ve read thus far, it’s a meditative coming-of-age- story. I remember reading Shing’s other novel Please Look After Mom and becoming interested in her work. So after all these years of living on my shelf, I thought I should finally read the other book of hers I had. Excited to dive into it.
Indie Bookstore Shoutout!
A few posts ago, I made a shoutout for friends who were accomplishing great things. This time, I thought it’d be cool to do one for indie bookstores, cultural touchstones that you should support.
Today’s Indie Bookstore Shoutout goes to Annabelle’s Book Club LA!
This Studio City bookstore was founded by 17-year-old Annabelle Chang (yes, you read that right). The store has been open for over a year now, and it’s been a pleasure to drop by now and then. The staff is always so kind, and they have a lot of cool events almost every week. I’m happy to give them a shout-out in this Substack post.
If you’re in the Los Angeles/ Studio City area, feel free to visit them and buy a book or two. Otherwise, you can support them through their Bookshop page.
And in other news:
I joined a karaoke competition. No, really. I did.
In completely non-book-related news, I entered a karaoke competition called Karaoke Knockout. A friend sent me an Instagram post advertising it a while back. I don’t know what got into me to shrug my shoulders and give it a shot. I made my account, posted it on social media, and saw if anyone would be willing to vote for me (votes come from your social media friends, families, and followers).
And I surprisingly got past the first round of votes.
Like, I’m sorry. What?!
All jokes aside, this was a complete shocker for me. Yes, there are prizes involved. But I’m mostly just here for the fun of it.
Either way, if you wish to see me move on to the next round, feel free to vote for me here: Christopher Soriano-Palma | Karaoke Knockout (karaokeko.org)
And that’s about it for now. Like always, feel free to subscribe to this Susbstack and share it around! If you wish to support me in some way financially, feel free to browse through my Bookshop page, upgrade to a paid subscription, or just treat me to a coffee.
Until next time! Keep being awesome!