The writing profession in France: Between symbolic and professional recognition

This article examines current transformations of the writing profession in France. Based on qualitative research (interviews with writers and their representatives, as well as organisers of literary events) and on a national survey conducted in 2016 by the Centre national du livre, it emphasises the tension between symbolic and professional recognition at different moments of a writer’s ‘career’. In a country where literary agents are only now starting to organise, and where creative writing courses are not as well established as elsewhere, publishers still play the key role of ‘gatekeepers’ into the literary field. The relationship with the publisher is thus crucial and is based on elective affinities. Yet, once published, an author still needs to be distinguished and recognised. Apart from the traditional literary prizes, which give symbolic and professional recognition, literary events (festivals, public readings) and residencies offer new career opportunities. These related activities, or ‘activités connexes’ have significantly increased in number: the article focuses especially on analysing how they now fit into and structure the literary careers of authors, as well as how authors themselves perceive them