I gave up on mainstream publication years and years ago. Self-publication is a LOT of work, especially if you are doing all the proofreading, editing, cover design, and formatting of the text yourself. You can always pay someone to do this, but that can cost in the thousands of dollars and there is no guarantee that you will like the outcome. I've been self-publishing for about 8 years now and, unless I get offered a great huge chunk of money, I probably will not ever go back to mainstream publication. I have had inquiry letters from publishing houses and agents over the years asking me if I had anything new to submit. I have quietly trashed all of them because I know how underhanded the publishing business is. Not to mention that the bleeding-heart artist in me refuses to have my work ripped to shreds by an editor and reshaped into something that did not remotely resemble my original work. Thanks, but no thanks. I prefer the challenge of self-publication. After all, if I am going to have to do my own networking and my own advertising and get my own self noticed, why would I let someone else in an editing chair tell me what to write about?

 

AMEN, Nicola!!! Several years ago I was given a contract to write a 'mainstream' book only to almost-too-late discover that all the sales and promotional work would be mine to do. I did have editorial control (which meant they didn't have to have hire editors, proofreaders, etc.) but they had exclusive rights (movie/reprint/foreign) to my works for years!
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I had some exciting news - a fan on another site has a relative in college who is an art major. They are willing to give my story a read and see if they can illustrate it the way I need. The people I have previously spoken to are more into abstract art.

 

Thanks, all! Some responses.

First off, I will dispense with the Colleen nonsense. "A.P." is an amalgam of people who had fun with a big bad draft, well and truly a "band of idiots." But at the innermost layer of the onion, there really is an author, a real person, who does not begrudge that Nascent was turned into filth for the titulation of the masses. The author even participated, after a fashion, in an advisory role. (It would not have found an audience otherwise.) That author is writing now.

Okay.

LOL, and amen! Good luck with your venture, ejls, should you decide to self-publish.

My work is too long, even for me. I am currently reading Part 1 of the Mark Twain autobiography. I will devote the time and attention to an iconic figure such as Twain, but not to fiction. I have said many times to "fans" that I am a poet by training, and poetry is what I prefer to read. Succinct, easily digestible epiphanies.

Excellent and inspiring counsel. Thanks for plugging away, and for not quitting.

LOL, squared. Luckily I am affluent enough to be able to admit that money is not a motive. Indeed, I have spent thousands on my little experiment. But I do value time, and time is the crux of my quandary.

By the way, I see in your response to Nicola that I am vindicated. Last year I reviewed your work, and I went out on a limb with the prediction that you are much better at this little vice of ours than your many critics give you credit for. I had you pegged as a pro in hiding.

__________

There are no good answers. No one reads anymore. It does come down to that. I feel a digression coming on, so I will stop right there.

A.P./Colleen/Clarise/et. al.

 

I find that I do have more than a half dozen or so fans who write me and bug me and ask me when the next episode is coming out. Fact of the matter is I have writers block and I havn't been able to shake it yet. My biggest problem is finding someone who is halfway decent at proofreading who would be willing to look at the crap that I turn out and make it more intelligible. Yes I do say crap everything even were I to put out a masterwork would be crap... The content doesn't matter. I write because I love to do it, after a few hundred thousand pages of handwritten stories, I have reverted to this medium, I think that writing is important as is reading there are only so many things you can watch on video, and seriously it lacks a lot because its not your view its some other idiots view. and while I'm rambling, I like and respect most of the writers on this forum because they are encouraging and honest but they are not afraid to tell you when your flavors and their tastes clash, and that makes me happy. Okay end of ramble.

 

when is the contest starting and what are the particulars? e.g. word count, theme, etc.

 

Nicola Matthews is actually aiming to set up a peer proofreading group/service thingie its sticky on the front page of the sex story forum I didn't see you weigh in on it so I thought I'd mention it. (I haven't weighed in either as I'm unsure aswell).

sorry about the writers block I really know how that is. I find walking helps (thats out the window for me till the ice melts though) and finding a cozy coffee bar with a pad of paper. for what its worth... sounds silly your exponentially more prolific than me.

I think she said she's going to put it up sometime today... as its only 5 EST she has a bit of time... its only 10 am where she is

 

Jayney is on holiday now. When she finalizes her thoughts, we will put a sticky at the top of the page, announcing it. Post your intent to write, and any questions you may have. Remember, there are no cash prizes - just the honor of running the next challenge.

 

A.P./Collen/Clarise/et. al,

You must be careful reading about that subversive author TWAIN. This "icon" of literature made the world news last night over the politically incorrectness of his book Huckleberry Finn. Apparently, the "N" word was used 219 times! As it turned out, the author intentionally used this word to point out the discriminatory manners and morays of the 18th and 19th century South. Anyways, a newer 'better' version is being written.
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Now that the copyright has expired, the politically correct crowd can 'fix' things. It will be a better world.

 

WOW, exciting news indeed! Good luck with this.

On another note; I miss your holiday stocking avatar, but like the faraway looking Siren of the Seaway avatar you have now. How about posting a full-size picture so we can get a better look at her?
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God please no!:\'mad:

 

Even though I'm sitting on it, political correctness burns my butt all the damn time!!!
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You betcha!

 

Grrrr

I just typed a lengthy post, outlining my intention to set the new contest, beginning next Sunday, but my computer has lost it

I'll be back later (or tomorrow), when I have a bit more time...SEE YOU SOON!

 

Walking does help... but I have to win two games of freecell in a row in order to write... some sort of Bizzare OC behavior. As for me proofreading anything... I am doubtful that I would be terribly helpful with that hence I haven't weighed in.

 

I actually mentioned it cause you said you wanted someone to proofread for you.

the freecell thing is odd... but if it works (and you are ok at freecell) then I suppose its not too bad.

 

Yes I did mention something about needing an Editor...proofreader whatever, I was just commenting that I would be quite poor at doing the job, so I'm not sure how helpful it would be to go and do what Nicola is suggesting, not that I don't think its a good idea, only that I don't think I would be terribly helpful at it because I generally don't pay a whole lot of attention to the rules.

 

CJ-

I'm still hoping for a Chapter 2 of "Aftermath." It just seems like the beginning of a much longer story. Have you ever considered it?

 

Doing a part two or even a chapter 2 to aftermath I have thought about it, But it is a tricky proposition which is why I haven't really delved deeply into it.