Archive for October, 2016
STRUGGLING TO GET IT PUBLISHED: MARKETS AND AGENTS
This piece is a sample of upcoming posts to this blog.
The following is a list of websites to help writers find markets and agents. In the future I will discuss each site in more detail, but I thought I would offer this piece for writers to explore these sites, if they want, on their own.
First, I am sad to say that one of my favorite sites to explore the validity of markets and agents no longer exists. The site is Preditors & Editors, a site I have looked to over the years for their opinion about markets and agents. They will be sorely missed.
Now let’s deal with markets.
To my mind, Duotrope is the go-to site for seeking markets for fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Once free, it now charges 50$ a year to use it. Although there are some that argue about the fee, I think, for the service they provide, it is well worth the cost. This site is a fantastic search-engine to find markets specific to your work.
Here is the site:
https://duotrope.com/index.aspx?bp=search
Here is a site to find markets for science fiction and more. I have yet to become acquainted with it, but I will before I report on it.
http://www.ralan.com/index.htm
Now for agents.
In my opinion, this is the site to first visit when seeking an agent. The site is for the Association of Writers Representative. You can search the site for your specific genre and be connected to the agent’s site. You should never have to pay an agent to read your work. With the agents associated with this site, you never will. They have taken a pledge of honesty.
Here is the site:
Next is a site devoted to the writer to query other writers about their experience with publishers and
agents. Great place to check on honesty.
Here is the site:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/activity.php
Finally, here is a site to use to see an agents background. I will discuss this site in greater detail in a later post.
Here is the site:
http://www.agwentquery.com/default.aspx
I hope this helps my fellow writers on their journey to publication. As promised, a more extensive look at each site will follow. I want to help my fellow writers to be where they want to be.
POEMS & FLEETING THOUGHTS: MAINTAINING LIFE’S WORTH
CREATIVE IMMORTALITY
Those who create,
Who pour their souls
Into life
Should not age,
But continue
To create
As their strength
Provides power.
RANTS & RAVES: TRUMP
With the latest developments, I sincerely hope those who still think Trump would make a good president have filled out their organ donor cards.
For surly, they are brain-dead.
WHO I AM
Some time ago I received a questionnaire from Book Buzzr, a marketing website I’m using to promote my novel, New Moon Rising. I thought I would share my answers to give you a closer look into who I am.
BOOK BUZZR
Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Now a retired scientist, I spent 34 years studying renal physiology.
I’m a Newark, New Jersey boy now living in West Chester, Pennsylvania, divorced with two outstanding daughters. One is a farmer working for the Rodale Institute and the other is pursing and MFA in fiction at Syracuse University.
Describe your book, New Moon Rising, in 30 words or less.
The novel is science fiction centered on the Ring of Fire. Think of the movie, Deep Impact, but in reverse.
What was the hardest part of writing this book?
Editing? I hate editing. The initial story just flowed. I went along with the characters and saw the action through their eyes. But when it came to editing the adventure was over, and I missed it.
What books had the greatest influence on you?
When I was in high school I read three books by Tom Dooley, a doctor who went to Laos, among other countries, to provide medical assistance. Of the three, the only title I can remember is The Night They Burned the Mountain.
His work was influential in establishing CARE.
What Dooley did to me I could never reverse. His words established in me the need for a sense of purpose, that you must strive to make a difference. Even at my advanced age, I cannot shake this mind-set.
Briefly share with us what you do to market your book.
Not enough. I have has one signing at a local bookstore which went quite well.
I am, of course on your site. I also have a blog, walttriznastories.wordpress.com, where I have discussed my novel and have provided links to my publisher, Melange Books, barns&noble.com and amazon.com., where my novel is available. But the primary purpose of my blog is to provide help for writers on the road to publication.
How do you spend your time when you are not writing?
I read a great deal, as most writers do. I firmly believe the basis for any writers desire to write begins with reading and the love for books. Of house and outside chores also require certain amount of time.
What are you working on next?
I have multiple short stories I am editing and hope to publish.
I also have two novels that are written and need to be edited and published.
The first, Sweet Depression, follows a corrupt high-level officer in a pharmaceutical company fulfilling his need for control and greed with devastating results. Think of a cross between novels written by James Patterson and Robin Cook.
The second novel, The Beast Awaits, combines illicit stem cell research creating a monster mindlessly intent on destroying our world.
RANTS & RAVES: IS THERE HOPE?
I will soon get back to the true purpose of this blog, aiding writers. I have pieces planned for ideas for science fiction stories, (I have too many ideas to work. You are welcome to use what I describe. You won’t be disappointed.), sites to publish and a host of websites for finding agents. But first, I had to get this off my chest.
This is food for thought. For a writer of nonfiction or fiction, here are situations which, unfortunately, are not fiction.
Banks are destroying the country yet say that regulations are too strict, just think Wells Fargo when you consider that the regulations for these institutions are too strict.
Pharmaceutical companies are selecting products individuals need to survive and increasing prices for no other reason than to increase profits. I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry and realize the cost that goes into making a drug. I have seen projects that have failed, after many years of effort. Some of this cost is passed onto the consumer to pay for projects the do work. But when the price for a product is set, and it is suddenly raised, the purpose of the increase is nothing but greed.
Where or what is the policy which can reduce greed. CEOs constantly complain of too much regulation. But it is these very individuals profiting from the control they have, especially through political contributions, who reap the profits as the public reaps the pain.
Are we totally lost, or is there a way out of this atmosphere which grips our country?
POEMS & FLEETING THOUGHTS: TIME
The Value of Time
If time is meant
To be merely filled,
Why possess
Time?
Walttriznastories's Blog 