Posts tagged ‘writing’
WRITER’S FORUM: EXPLORING A NEW GENRE
WRITER’S FORUM
EXPLORING A NEW GENRE
For those who are familiar with my work, read some of my stories, this next series of posts will appear bewildering. For those not familiar with my work and stumbled upon this blog, I am principally a writer of horror and science fiction.
The direction of the next series of posts, Writer’s Form, will involve formatting children’s picture books.
Your eyes have not deceived you. I want to produce a picture book.
Sometime ago, quite to my surprise, I wrote a long poem entitled Dragon Eggs and I feel the poem can be broken up into pages for a children’s picture book. And as a requirement for most children’s books, it provides a lesson, and I am also hoping that the title with the word ‘Dragon’ in it will grab a young one’s interest.
So, for the next few posts you will journey, with me, in what is involved in producing a picture book.
WRITER’S FORUM: ABSOLUTE WATER COOLER
WRITER’S FORUM
ABSOLUTE WATER COOLER
To appreciate the vast amount of information for writers, this website must be explored.
One helpful feature located near the bottom of the description of the information available is an area where you can discuss, with other writers, the experience they had with publishers and agents you may be interested in.
Use of this website is free.
WARNING
As I’m sure you know in our current society very little is free. When you use a site indicating that it is free your email address or telephone number is probably being added to a list which will be sold. So, when using any website consider the value of the site to you and if it is worth the occasion annoying ad.
WRITER’S FORUM: PREDITORS AND EDITORS
WRITER’S FORUM
PREDITORS AND EDITORS
Years ago, Predators and Editors was a website where a writer could check if editors, publishers and lawyer were safe to use. They have been going through a transition for some time now.
There appears to be good information for writers here, but not the type of information that was available in past. So, a word of caution. Use carefully.
Preditors and Editors – Writing Corner
WARNING
As I’m sure you know in our current society very little is free. When you use a site indicating that it is free your email address or telephone number is probably being added to a list which will be sold. So, when using any website consider the value of the site to you and if it is worth the occasion annoying ad.
WRITER’S FORUM: AGENTQUERY
WRITER’S FORUM
AGENT QUERY
AgentQuery provides a wealth of information about agents and publishers. Information is provided as to where to find agents, organize and track queries and look at agents’ data. Publishers’ info is also available.
If you do find an agent or publisher that fits your needs; do some research before you make any commitments. Using this website is free.
In future posts I will introduce you to the websites which can provide information on how reputable agents and publishers are. These sites include Duotrope for which information has already been posted. Other sites in upcoming posts which will also be helpful are Predators and Editors and also Absolute Water Cooler.
AgentQuery :: Find the Agent Who Will Find You a Publisher
WARNING
As I’m sure you know in our current society very little is free. When you use a site indicating that it is free your email address or telephone number is probably being added to a list which will be sold. So when using any website consider the value of the site to you and if it is worth the occasion annoying ad.
WRITER’S FORUM: LITERARY AGENTS
WRITER’S FORUM
LITERARY AGENTS
ASSOCIATION OF WRITER’S REPRESENTATIVES
For a writer there is no certain way which will enable you to find a valid publisher for your work. But there is one avenue which will help a great deal: Obtaining a literary agent.
The ability in obtaining a literary agent depends on the quality of your work. A reputable agent will not take you on as a client unless they feel that your work is publishable. The fact that you have an agent will gain you access to publishers you would otherwise not be able to approach. You see, an agent, a reputable agent, does not make a dime unless they can find a publisher for you. Of course, publishers know this so the fact that you have an agent tells them that perhaps they should take a look at your work.
The purpose of this post is to provide a word of caution and how to protect you from dishonest actors. Yes, as in all professions, there is a sleaze element.
A valid agent should not charge you anything to take you on as a client. Even if the agent appears to be honest, there is another scam. The agent will say they will take you on as a client, but your work needs editing. That’s when the money starts flowing out of your pocket. Run, don’t walk away from this agent.
I also want to mention that if you find a publisher for your book on your own you should not have to pay them anything to publish your work.
Back to literary agents.
There is a highly respected organization, Association of Writer’s Representatives, made up of reputable and honest literary agents. To become a member of this organization they must agree not to charge the writer and only earn their commission from the sale of your book. This database has a huge number of agents which can be searched according to the genre of your work.
And it is free.
USA Literary Agent Directory and Database 2023-24 – Free Access (literary-agents.com)
WRITER’S FORUM: REFDESK
WRITER’S FORUM
REFDESK
Refdesk is a website offering an unbelievable wealth of information.
News outlets and access to a host of newspapers – it’s all there.
Also, links to many websites providing information on a wide variety of topics.
Give it a try. You won’t be disappointed. And it’s free.
Reference, Facts, News – Free and Family-friendly Resources – Refdesk.com
WRITER’S FORUM: DUOTROPE
WRITER’S FORUM
DUOTROPE
If you choose not to take the easy path of self-publishing to becoming a published writer, which requires no judge of talent and no gatekeeper, I suggest you look to Duotrope to locate a publisher.
More on my thoughts of self-publishing in a future post.
Duotrope is a fantastic website for locating publishers of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. An annual fee of $50 will gain you access. I primarily seek publishers of fiction and there are thousands listed. You are provided with a questionnaire to fill out for the piece you wish to publish and a search will provide you with a list of potential publishers.
You will find markets which are paying and non-paying, how long the publisher has been in existence and, with some publishers, statistics on acceptance, rejections and response times. A link for each publisher is provided to their website which gives information for making a submission and further information about the publisher.
If you are serious about becoming a published writer with an established publisher I highly recommend that you consider Duotrope.
Here are some links to provide you with information about Duotrope.
Duotrope: A Basic Guide to Using the Site
A WRITER’S FORUM
A WRITER’S FORUM
With this posting I am reinstating a series from the past, A Writer’s Forum.
I have accumulated, over the course of my twenty-four years of calling myself a writer, information which writers will find beneficial. The information is primarily in the form of websites. And as always you will find all postings on my blog to is free.
If you are serious about writing, and I will discuss what I mean by serious, I think you will find these posts to be of value.
PLUMBING PROBLEMS: PART VIII
PLUMBING PROBLEMS VIII
While Robin was involved with her various activities, I busied myself with some errands. After a few hours we returned home and as we approached the house, I was surprised to see Dave’s truck still in my driveway. I got Robin settled with a snack and a video we had rented, then proceeded upstairs to see how things are coming along. I thought Dave would be long gone by now. The fact that he was still here was not a good sign; a big bill was heading my way. Halfway up the stairs, I was greeted by a horrible stench that started me gagging. I made it up the stairs and opened some of the windows. The house smelled like Porto-John on a hot summer day. I was not really prepared for what I found in the master bathroom. Dave’s tools were scattered over the floor, but Dave wasn’t there. Yellowish goo, inches deep in some places, covered the bathroom floor. The smell in the bathroom was horrible, smelling as if the septic system had backed up and that smell was combined with another smell that defied description. I hurried from the bathroom and started calling for Dave. I went outside for some fresh air and took a short walk around the property. Jack was working in his field, so I asked if he had seen anyone walking around my place. Jack just shook his head and went back to his work. Finally, I phoned Dave’s office and was greeted by the voice of a young woman who introduced herself as Debbie Watson and asked how she could help me. I told her who I was and that Dave’s truck was still at my house but I couldn’t find Dave and my plumbing problems were getting worse. Debbie’s voice changed from that of a professional secretary to a worried wife and then to something else. She suddenly sounded furious.
MY ATTEMPT AT WRITING POETRY: WAITING TOOL
Published by New Worlds Unlimited in Mysteries of the Lyric World in 1988.
WAITING TOOL
A pencil sits poised
Waiting to give life,
As a sculptor creates form
From the essence of marble,
So, the words await
Needing a sculptor of thought.
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