15:02, April 25, 2024, PAI
It is easier to become a writer in Russia now than in Soviet times. Soviet and Russian children’s poet, writer, translator Viktor Lunin shared this opinion on the air of the Ministry of Culture program on the Silver Rain radio station (88.3 FM) in Pskov.
“In my opinion, it is probably easier to become a writer today. If only because today a person who writes has more opportunities than in Soviet times. <...> But this does not mean that you will be rich,” noted the radio guest.
During the Soviet years, there was serious censorship in Russia, explained Viktor Lunin. In addition, for example, there were only two publishing houses for young children – “Children’s Literature” and “Malysh”. “Some publishers that print books for adults might publish a small work, but mostly only these. Now look: in Moscow alone, in my opinion, there are more than 180 children’s publishing houses. There are publishing houses in St. Petersburg, and in Yekaterinburg, and in various cities. There is a place to publish. It became different. Previously, books were printed in huge quantities, but writers lined up,” the speaker said.
In the Soviet Union, books were published according to a predetermined plan, noted Viktor Lunin. “Young authors were almost never published. In Soviet times, poets were considered young, do you know up to what age? If he started publishing, he was young until he was 50 years old. And until he was 50, he did not have the right to publish a bound book, only a small brochure. And now the publishing houses are free, I don’t know yet what will happen next,” the writer noted.
