Any writers?

[Lincsong]

Keep us posted Giacomo. I want to read that and, hmm another set of nice legs here at Oakland Airport, WTH?, what? oh yeah, let us know when it's published. I want to read Mixing Girls and get a copy of The Joker is Wild.

 

[Undertow]

Shooting for St. Valentine's Day release right now, but it might be more like the end of Feb. Not only does the print business run at a snail's pace, but publishing a quality book, I've learned, is incredibly hard work; there are things that can go wrong at every step of the way, and they have. As I said, I did have a product in December, but the POD model just wasn't happening. The technology just isn't there to produce quality hardcovers, and now I know why they won't sell them in stores.

At this point, I just want to get Mixing Girls out just so I can start working on the next book. I haven't written anything since the summer. Onward.

Regards,

Jack

You know Jack, that's really too bad about the POD. It seems to me that an enterprising person could really make bank on something like this; imagine how many people would pay decent money for a high quality product, especially considering the "vanity" publishing market. I've considered looking into a POD format but I simply don't have enough resources.

Well, here's to hoping things go well from this point forward!

 

[Derek WC]

The Grave Robber and the Grave Digger

As I deftly picked the lock
I soon came into shock

For out of the ground behind me
came two hands, cold and bony

As they grabbed my feet
I let out a shriek

And could feel the ground
coming up to my crown

How I fought with such rigor
so did the grave digger

Now I know what happened,
that dreary night, so dampened

When Mr. Crigger
the grave digger
pulled the trigger.


Kind of morose, but it just popped into my head.

 

[Pompidou]

You should turn that into a full novel - in verse, since verse is what you do already. It'll be nothing less than a great mental exercise and nothing worse than one more story people won't see. If you pull it off, publishers will cringe at the thought of publishing it, because it's so easy for such a story to be bad (for example, if you let the rhyme and meter force your hand in telling the story). I haven't gotten negative feedback on my current 18 pages, but I have to admit, the rhyme and meter has forced my hand on many an occasion. It's more important that I follow my own arbitrary rules than produce a quality product. Anyway - looks like there's a good tease there into a greater story you could flesh out. Since you don't restrict yourself to sounding sing-songy, it might even be easier for you. Catalectic trochaic heptameter - apparently it's the only thing I can work with. Your stuff is more diverse.

 

[Derek WC]

You really think so, Pompidou? So you're saying the whole book will be just about the same as a big poem, like Shakespeare?

 

[Pompidou]

I reorganized mine into couplets today, but I'll post a few random examples. One of my characters, the tin music box dancing man that comes to life, only speaks French, so I'll be forced to market this almost exclusively to French Canadian children, but I'm doing this more for me than for money. I doubt anyone will compare me to Shakespeare, but I've got 18 pages of couplets so far, telling the story. Pardon the lame I love Lucy joke. Had to toss something in the story for the adults forced to read it.

Through the window with a thump, she scuffed up both her knees.
Lucy’s some ‘splainin’ to do, back home, when Grandma sees!

“La fille folle se mêle toujours, et je sais pas que faire.
Mon Seigneur sera très fou. Rien de l’ordinaire...”

Cobweb covered corners capped by decades worth of dust.
What was shiny metal, once, was little more than rust.

 

[Derek WC]

Sounds great, Pompidou. It's a children's book?

So how does one go about writing a poetry epic, and publishing it?

 

[Pompidou]

One goes about writing it with lots of coffee, one stanza at a time. Best not to plan too far ahead, because if there's no word that fits, plans change. How does one go about publishing it? Umm, if this thread is any indicator, better writers than I, with traditional, publisher-friendly books are getting turned away by traditional presses. It's all over Google that verse stories are anathema to publishers - too many people failed at being the next Dr. Seuss. ePublishing to Kindle and the iTunes iBook store are my initial routes. Those are guaranteed outlets, albeit you've gotta do your own marketing to drive sales. If I see any success, I'll take it physical. Publishers don't like risk. If I can show numbers, they'll go with it, I'm sure.

 

[AmateisGal]

Anyone else wish they could win the lottery (or have a very generous benefactor) for the express purpose of being able to quit their job and write full-time? That's me today, especially since the day job is stressful today.

 

[martinsantos]

Certainly! I'm trying it every week for the last 12 years!

A brazilian writer that I like vert much, Monteiro Lobato (1888 - 1946) made the same, wanting to just write to himself. Never won - but became rich with literature. Strange world...

 

[AmateisGal]

Entering the world of freelance writing with some history articles. I've got a great WW2 human interest story that I'm hoping to write and lots of other ideas bouncing around. Translation? I'm sick of not using my master's degree in history!!!

Still working on the novel, too.

How is everyone else doing?

 

[Undertow]

Anyone else wish they could win the lottery (or have a very generous benefactor) for the express purpose of being able to quit their job and write full-time? That's me today, especially since the day job is stressful today.

Haha! I just wrote a 2 page email to a friend about this!

 

[Benzadmiral]

Not the Golden Era yet, but I've written several private-eye stories set in the early Sixties, the Kennedy era -- and I pride myself that I came up with the idea before "Mad Men" premiered: http://www.thrillingdetective.com/fiction/07_12_03.html

 

[AmateisGal]

Not the Golden Era yet, but I've written several private-eye stories set in the early Sixties, the Kennedy era -- and I pride myself that I came up with the idea before "Mad Men" premiered: http://www.thrillingdetective.com/fiction/07_12_03.html

Good stuff, Paul!!!

 

[martinsantos]

Liked a lot!! Very, very good!

Martin

Not the Golden Era yet, but I've written several private-eye stories set in the early Sixties, the Kennedy era -- and I pride myself that I came up with the idea before "Mad Men" premiered: http://www.thrillingdetective.com/fiction/07_12_03.html

 

[Pompidou]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110216/ap_on_en_ot/us_borders_bankruptcy

According to that article, Borders is declaring bankruptcy because they failed to keep track of technological developments that were changing the face of the book, magazine, cd and dvd markets. Normally, I wouldn't bother posting that here, but it goes on to detail the impact to the publishing companies that put all their eggs in a few big baskets. They're going to be hurting, especially in the paperback market, it says. In summary, it's going to be a lot harder to get published for a while.

 

[LocktownDog]

Entering the world of freelance writing with some history articles. I've got a great WW2 human interest story that I'm hoping to write and lots of other ideas bouncing around. Translation? I'm sick of not using my master's degree in history!!!

Can't wait to read it.

 

[AmateisGal]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110216/ap_on_en_ot/us_borders_bankruptcy

According to that article, Borders is declaring bankruptcy because they failed to keep track of technological developments that were changing the face of the book, magazine, cd and dvd markets. Normally, I wouldn't bother posting that here, but it goes on to detail the impact to the publishing companies that put all their eggs in a few big baskets. They're going to be hurting, especially in the paperback market, it says. In summary, it's going to be a lot harder to get published for a while.

I've watched the incredible effects that e-books have had on the publishing industry, and really, I think it's because the "old" business model of traditional publishing has been out-paced. They simply haven't adapted or haven't WANTED to adapt.

 

[Pompidou]

I've watched the incredible effects that e-books have had on the publishing industry, and really, I think it's because the "old" business model of traditional publishing has been out-paced. They simply haven't adapted or haven't WANTED to adapt.

Nobody here seems to have too much interest in e-publishing either. I am, but only because it's a sure thing. There's no way NOT to get e-published if you want it. That said, it doesn't seem the same. It's almost like a consolation prize. You haven't really gotten published until you can go to Borders or Barnes and Noble and buy your book off the shelf (preferably in hardcover - I always shoot for hardcover). Will we have printed paper media when I draw my last breath in oh, 90 years? I'd like to think so, but the safe bet would be on no.

 

[Unique Tales Of Intrigue]

Hi all,

my name is Daniel Benjamin Orris; I am the co-editor of a literary magazine.

I have been reading some of your posts (I originally stumbled upon this website, I think because of either seersucker suits or some other related garb, maybe just vintage suits in general [which by the way, I found a beautiful three-piece green suit at the Salvation Army with a low-gorge/aka/u-cut vest], or hats) and a number of you appear to be as fed up with so-called "e-publishing" as I am.

Unique Tales Of Intrigue will be publishing our spring issue, LORD Willing, within the next couple of months. We are still looking for stories and serials to be included in this particular issue.

Our search is now focused on two things: already written stories, and writers who are able to write good quality material fast (thousands of words per week). We want to buy publishing rights, while the writer retains copyrights.

At least at the end of the day, we can guarantee that you will be published, paid and with your name (birth or pen) getting out there, so to speak.

E-mail us at, uniquetalesofintrigue@gmail.com (we might set up a P.O. Box as well)

For more information, please read this thread; http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...-stories-and-serials-to-be-published-upcoming...

May THE MIGHTY LORD GOD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Bless these United States Of America!

Sincerely,

Daniel Benjamin Orris

(12:34 AM-EST, Friday, February 18th, 2011 in the year of JESUS CHRIST ALMIGHTY!)