Posts filed under ‘OBSERVATIONS & OPINIONS’
WEBSITES HELPFUL TO WRITERS
This is a series of posts which, I think, will be beneficial to writers.
But first, I would like to include my usual warning about using websites.
Whenever you check a website you are, in my opinion and I talk from experience, being put on a list for sale. So, expect the possibility of being bombarded by ads from companies you, perhaps, have never heard of and have no interest in.
By the same token, I feel that once you call a business for information you are also put on a list, for sale, of similar companies to the one you have called.
That’s just how it is in today’s society.
I hope you find the information offered in these posts helpful.
Anyone familiar with my blog is aware of the area, Writer’s Forum, which already offers a host of websites important for writers.
Reactor
Reactor.com
Once known as Tor.com.
An online magazine publishing short fiction, comics and poetry from established and new writers.
Offers a free newsletter.
September 8, 2024 at 7:18 pm
WEBSITES HELPFUL TO WRITERS
This is a series of posts which, I think, will be beneficial to writers.
But first, I would like to include my usual warning about using websites.
Whenever you check a website you are, in my opinion and I talk from experience, being put on a list for sale. So, expect the possibility of being bombarded by ads from companies you, perhaps, have never heard of and have no interest in.
By the same token, I feel that once you call a business for information you are also put on a list, for sale, of similar companies to the one you have called.
That’s just how it is in today’s society.
I hope you find the information offered in these posts helpful.
Anyone familiar with my blog is aware of the area, Writer’s Forum, which already offers a host of websites important for writers.
Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers
SFWA.org
Supports and promotes science fiction and fantasy writers.
Educates readers about science fiction and fantasy.
Supports Writer Beware which offers information about literary schemes and scams.
Maintains a newsletter and blog.
September 7, 2024 at 12:41 pm
WEBSITES HELPFUL TO WRITERS
This is a series of posts which, I think, will be beneficial to writers.
But first, I would like to include my usual warning about using websites.
Whenever you check a website you are, in my opinion and I talk from experience, being put on a list for sale. So, expect the possibility of being bombarded by ads from companies you, perhaps, have never heard of and have no interest in.
By the same token, I feel that once you call a business for information you are also put on a list, for sale, of similar companies to the one you have called.
That’s just how it is in today’s society.
I hope you find the information offered in these posts helpful.
Anyone familiar with my blog is aware of the area, Writer’s Forum, which already offers a host of websites important for writers.
Liminal Fiction
LimFic.com
Is a comprehensive library of speculative fiction.
Leads speculative fiction readers to books from speculative fiction authors.
Has weekly newsletter and blog on all types of speculative fiction subgenres.
Free books offered by speculative fiction authors.
September 6, 2024 at 4:15 pm
WEBSITES HELPFUL TO WRITERS
This is a series of posts which, I think, will be beneficial to writers.
But first, I would like to include my usual warning about using websites.
Whenever you check a website you are, in my opinion and I talk from experience, being put on a list for sale. So, expect the possibility of being bombarded by ads from companies you, perhaps, have never heard of and have no interest in.
By the same token, I feel that once you call a business for information you are also put on a list, for sale, of similar companies to the one you have called.
That’s just how it is in today’s society.
I hope you find the information offered in these posts helpful.
Anyone familiar with my blog is aware of the area, Writer’s Forum, which already offers a host of websites important for writers.
The Haiku Foundation
TheHaikuFoundation.org
Archives English language haiku.
September 5, 2024 at 2:27 pm
UNWANTED INTERUPTIONS OF SEARCHES CONTINUED
As mentioned in my previous post, I’ve been bombarded with unwanted ads resulting from my search for publishers and agents.
I get ads from companies saying that they want to read my book. I have little doubt that after reading my book they would want to publish my book. Okay, they don’t know whether my book is fiction or nonfiction. For fiction they don’t know the genre. For nonfiction they don’t know the subject. They have no idea of the quality of my craft, but they want to read my book.
This company wants to spend time reading my book and may decide not to publish my book. Right! I have little doubt that after reading my book, if they read it at all, they will like to publish it.
I feel one of the major reasons these companies exit is to stroke the fragile egos of those who would like to say they have published a book and have money to burn.
Now it is possible to find success in self-publishing a book. Ever hear of the novel The Martian which became a bestseller and subsequently made into a movie? Self-published. So success can occur but you must have an exceptional manuscript and be willing to work you ass off, and the asses of close friends.
I’m posting this as a warning. Stay away from companies whose ads state that they want to publish your book.
And as far as agents are concerned, I can’t imagine a reputable agency of agents seeking clients with an ad.
September 4, 2024 at 1:17 pm
UNWANTED INTERUPTIONS OF SEARCHES
I am in the process of looking for a publisher for my novel, The Beast Awaits.
As I’m sure you know I am fan of the website Duotrope for locating publishers. The site also provides information for literary agents. I have used Duotrope to explore publishers with little luck for my novel, so I am now using it to seek an agent. My search for an agent on Duotrope resulted in a list of 124. I then used another website and reduced the number to 16. The method I used will be described in a later post.
Since beginning my search, I have been inundated with ads for publishers wanting to read my novel and agents wanting me to contact them for representation.
I’m fairly certain that Duotrope or the other site I used would not sell my name and email address, so this intrusion must be the result of my searches. In this day and age someone is constantly looking over your shoulder.
Companies now involved with self-publishing were once called vanity presses. Also, I have never seen ad for agents before.
More to follow.
September 3, 2024 at 12:56 pm
WEBSITES HELPFUL TO WRITERS
This is a series of posts which, I think, will be beneficial to writers.
But first, I would like to include my usual warning about using websites.
Whenever you check a website you are, in my opinion and I talk from experience, being put on a list for sale. So, expect the possibility of being bombarded by ads from companies you, perhaps, have never heard of and have no interest in.
By the same token, I feel that once you call a business for information you are also put on a list, for sale, of similar companies to the one you have called.
That’s just how it is in today’s society.
I hope you find the information offered in these posts helpful.
Anyone familiar with my blog is aware of the area, Writer’s Forum, which already offers a host of websites important for writers.
Rattle
Rattle.com
Publishes poetry from established and up-and-coming poets.
Offers quarterly print publications by subscription.
Has a daily blog with previously published poems, audio readings and more.
Has podcasts with poet interviews and livestreams.
September 2, 2024 at 2:25 pm
WEBSITES HELPFUL TO WRITERS
This is a series of posts which, I think, will be beneficial to writers.
But first, I would like to include my usual warning about using websites.
Whenever you check a website you are, in my opinion and I talk from experience, being put on a list for sale. So, expect the possibility of being bombarded by ads from companies you, perhaps, have never heard of and have no interest in.
By the same token, I feel that once you call a business for information you are also put on a list, for sale, of similar companies to the one you have called.
That’s just how it is in today’s society.
I hope you find the information offered in these posts helpful.
Anyone familiar with my blog is aware of the area, Writer’s Forum, which already offers a host of websites important for writers.
Buton Poetry
ButonPoetry.com
Has developed a system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for performance poetry.
Runs contests for poems to be considered for publication.
September 1, 2024 at 4:45 pm
Recently, RFK Jr. joined the Trump team and brought up the subject of chronic diseases. I felt this subject required a reality check. Also, it is an issue I had never heard before addressed in politics.
With both political parties issues are mentioned but, until pressure is applied, seldom addressed. The mention of chronic diseases really caught my attention, and for better or worse, set my mind in motion.
There are a host of chronic diseases, many with a genetic origin such as diabetes and obesity. There are many auto-immune diseases that are genetic in origin. Lupus, eczema, and some forms of arthritis can be added to the chronic list. Serious attempts at genetic engineering could alleviate some of this chronic suffering.
Along this train of thought, there have also been advances in agriculture using genetic engineering. The crops to which genetic techniques have been applied are referred to as Geneticaly Modified Organisms, or GMOs. Now there is a population against the consumption of GMOs. How would these people feel if their disease could be lessened, or perhaps cured, by using genetic engineering. They would be walking GMOs.
There already exist medications which elevate, to some extent, the scourge of chronic diseases. But this is on an individual basis, by a means already in existence. I assume what RFK Jr. is referring to is the total elimination of the disease. I feel the only way this can be accomplished is through genetic engineering. Of course, I’m not a politician, only a former scientist who tries to keep up with what is going on in the scientific community. What comes to mind is a relatively new procedure which has been awarded the Novel Pize and that method is CRISPR. I don’t understand exactly how it works but it seems to me that not only does it lessen or eliminate the disease for an individual but also for all the offspring of that individual. RFK Jr. has most likely investigated this method already or why boast about eliminating chronic disease and not just curing the disease for an individual.
However, there is one chronic disease plaguing this country that I wish RFK Jr. and other concerned politicians would address.
The chronic disease of gun violence.
August 30, 2024 at 4:14 pm
WEBSITES HELPFUL TO WRITERS
This is a series of posts which, I think, will be beneficial to writers.
But first, I would like to include my usual warning about using websites.
Whenever you check a website you are, in my opinion and I talk from experience, being put on a list for sale. So, expect the possibility of being bombarded by ads from companies you, perhaps, have never heard of and have no interest in.
By the same token, I feel that once you call a business for information you are also put on a list, for sale, of similar companies to the one you have called.
That’s just how it is in today’s society.
I hope you find the information offered in these posts helpful.
Anyone familiar with my blog is aware of the area, Writer’s Forum, which already offers a host of websites important for writers.
Mystery Writers of America
MysteryWriters.org
Organization for professional mystery writers.
For both professional and developing mystery writers.
Promotes mystery writers.
Hosts Edgar Awards.
Promotes scholarships and literacy programs.
August 29, 2024 at 12:39 pm
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