I have to disagree with Mr. Lewis about writers and risk-taking these days. He of all people should know that writers do, in fact, take risks, but publishers and agents are far less willing to do so. There's a whole lot of risk-taking that's not hitting the book stands but is instead languishing semi-invisible in small presses or deep in dark drawers because of rejection slips. Publishing is more a conglomerate today than it ever was in Mailer's day. Everything has to be approved by the marketing department as much as editors and their editorial teams. I know from experience.

How many risks have you taken with your writing lately, Mr. Lewis? Or do you stick to what "works" so that you can keep publishing...?