Posts filed under ‘WRITER’S UPDATE’

                     A SCAM, IT’S NOT MICROSOFT

A SCAM, IT’S NOT MICROSOFT

This post will be followed by another more lengthy post concerning scams I have experienced three times with my computer being locked with a screen saying Microsoft has found a security leak on my computer. There is usually a blue screen along with one or two others warning you not to turn off your computer. You are given a phone number to call. DO NOT CALL THE NUMBER.

Do turn off your computer. After turning my computer back on one time the screens and lock were gone, one time they weren’t, and I had to seek help to get my computer unlocked.

The first time I experienced this scam I did call the number listed. I will soon post what happens when you call the number

June 11, 2025 at 8:16 pm Leave a comment

WHAT IS AN ‘INFO DUMP’?

                            WHAT IS AN ‘INFO DUMP’?

What is an ‘info dump’?

A ‘info dump’ is something writers try to avoid. In my opinion, an ‘info dump’ slows down the story and may result in boring the reader. Here is the condition which could result in an ‘info dump’ if the writer is not careful. It would be interesting if you now thought about some of the stories you have read and whether they contained an ‘info dump’ and if it affected your appreciation of the story. Say there’s a situation in a story which requires a detailed explanation to carry the story along. How the writer decides to explain these details could result in the story shifting from a story to a lecture and possibly bore the reader. What I usually do is first determine how much detail the reader needs to understand what is happening in the story. Then I deliver the knowledge usually with characters discussing the situation rather than writing a detailed explanation to inform the reader of what is involved in what is occurring in the story. Conversation between characters avoids an ‘info dump’. In my story, Martian Rebirth, I use the head of NASA conducting a press conference to include some prion information in the

June 10, 2025 at 6:22 pm Leave a comment

                            CALL FOR WRITERS

CALL FOR WRITERS

The Paoli Writers Group, supported by the Paoli Public Library, is looking for new members. The group has been in existence for more than six years. Meetings are held on Zoom 12:30 – 2:30. Our next meeting is on Thursday February 6th, and from then on every second Thursday. It is a relaxed group where writers have an opportunity to present their work and receive constructive feedback. This is a link to the Paoli Public Library to obtain more information about the group.

https://ccls.libcal.com/event/13546466

January 29, 2025 at 8:56 pm Leave a comment

WRITER’S FORUM FICTION WRITERS

                        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.

Pipeline Artists

PipelineArtists.com

Website for fiction writers and screenwriters focusing on education and elevating voices in film and publishing.

Has craft articles across genres along with information regarding competition resources and giveaways.

October 28, 2024 at 1:03 pm Leave a comment

WRITER’S FORUM E-BOOKS REVIEWS

                        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.

Indie Author Project

IndieAuthorProject.com

Helps users of libraries find indie-published books.

Through this website authors can submit e-books directly to local libraries to be reviewed to be reviewed by industry editorial partners such as Library Journal and Publishers Weekly and library’s editorial boards.

This can lead to expanded discovery, marketing and networking.

Offers an archive of webinars with industry experts.

October 8, 2024 at 1:21 pm Leave a comment

WRITER’S FORUM  SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY WRITERS

                        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 Leave a comment

                                  WRITER’S FORUM

                   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.

Hippocampus Magazine

HippocampusMagazine.com

Educates about creative nonfiction.

Features contests, small presses and conferences.

Contains pieces on writing, interviews and reviews on the writing life.

August 14, 2024 at 1:43 pm Leave a comment

  WRITER’S FORUM

                    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.

Disability in Publishing

DisabilityInPublishing.com

Database for agents and editors and freelancers looking to acquiring and working with writers with disabilities.

Free online events to help writers.

August 4, 2024 at 4:11 pm Leave a comment

USING DUOTROPE TO FIND PUBLISHERS



My experience with Duotrope



I have been using Duotrope to find
publishers for quite some time now. The cost is $50 a year and is well worth
it.



They currently list 7581 publishers
for fiction, nonfiction, poetry and visual arts. The website also lists
literary agents which is something I will discuss in a future post.



What I would like to cover now is
how you go about starting a search and what are the factors I look for in the
information resulting from that search.



But first, when considering a
publisher, I feel, you need to be realistic in what you feel is the level of
your talent is when seeking a publisher. As in everything in life, there are
multiple levels of competence. And as you continue publishing your work to
expand your resume, you improve your skills with hard work and experience. This
will increase your level of competence as a writer and expand the number and
quality of publishers you will approach.



I use the website almost
exclusively for finding publishers of fiction. The type of fiction various
publishers are looking for includes flash fiction, short stories, novellas and
novels.



One word of caution when approaching a publisher. Especially a publisher of novels.

To get your work
accepted and published should not cost you anything especially for novels.
Editing, developing a cover and whatever else is involved in getting your novel
to market should not cost you a cent.



 



July 26, 2024 at 2:26 pm Leave a comment

LATEST PUBLICATION: CEMETERY MOON

I thought I would pass along a link to the Cemetery Moon website.

My story is in issue 14. I would like you to read it, but more importantly, I would like you to support the small presses printing words sometimes lost in the wilderness.

http://www.fortresspublishinginc.com/index_files/cm.html

January 30, 2018 at 11:07 pm Leave a comment

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