I know many writers want to keep their political thoughts to themselves for fear they may rile editors with contrary views. It is understandable. Many people in many walks of life are afraid to jump into the political arena for fear of losing work.
Understandable.
But the fact this country is spinning into stupidity is because of this. When you write you are writing truth so how can your work and product be valid if you deny truth and even deny truth from others. To bar writers, editors, actors and artists on the basis of a political belief rather than on the truth of their work harms all discussion and stains ones own work. Be true and not a follower.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Happy Birthday, though belated by minutes to Charles Beaumont
Yesterday, January 2nd marked the birthday of Charles Beaumont. For those of you who know me, you know the esteem and reverence I have for Mr. Beaumont who was taken from in 1967 at the age of 38. He and his genius continues to be missed.
Classic Book Review: RATMAN By Howie Carr, Frandel LLC, 242 Pages, 2013
Editor's Notes Part Three
There is a line from 'The Producers' where Max says emphatically and concurrently NEVER PUT YOUR OWN MONEY IN THE SHOW.
The same can be said for writing. Oh, it is okay to donate a token for a cause or help launch an anthology or magazine that you may be working on but NEVER and I mean NEVER EVER pay a read fee. Read fees are not industry recognized except as extortion.
NEVER PAY A READ FEE for a contest.
NEVER PAY A READ FEE for a publication.
NEVER PAY AN ENTRY FEE FOR A CONTEST.
You might as well wear a sign that says LOSER!
You are just setting yourself up for a heartache. Read fees are inherently and historically ... Oh Heck, if you are going to do that why not just send the money directly to me, I will send you my paypal address. At least I'm a nice guy and honest about the flushing of your money down the drain.
Don't pay to play.
The same can be said for writing. Oh, it is okay to donate a token for a cause or help launch an anthology or magazine that you may be working on but NEVER and I mean NEVER EVER pay a read fee. Read fees are not industry recognized except as extortion.
NEVER PAY A READ FEE for a contest.
NEVER PAY A READ FEE for a publication.
NEVER PAY AN ENTRY FEE FOR A CONTEST.
You might as well wear a sign that says LOSER!
You are just setting yourself up for a heartache. Read fees are inherently and historically ... Oh Heck, if you are going to do that why not just send the money directly to me, I will send you my paypal address. At least I'm a nice guy and honest about the flushing of your money down the drain.
Don't pay to play.
Editor's Notes Part Two
Resist. You must resist assimilation.
You really should.
A relatively new phenomenon is to stoke up writers on social media with the lure of a place in an anthology. For editors this is a marvelous thing because floods of stories will naturally pore in.
But be wary. Be careful WHO is dangling the shiny baubles.
I recall a recent pitch, a couple of years ago, where scribes were pumped up with invitations; daily messages of the grand scope of the project; lucrative contract terms and visibility from space. Facebook was all a twitter and twitter was foaming at the beak; new writers, writers who barely dipped a toe in the ink of published works posted feverishly about their brushes with greatness only in the end to be dashed by cronyism.
I am not smart. I warned people as I warn today. Choose wisely who are willing to entrust with your work.
You really should.
A relatively new phenomenon is to stoke up writers on social media with the lure of a place in an anthology. For editors this is a marvelous thing because floods of stories will naturally pore in.
But be wary. Be careful WHO is dangling the shiny baubles.
I recall a recent pitch, a couple of years ago, where scribes were pumped up with invitations; daily messages of the grand scope of the project; lucrative contract terms and visibility from space. Facebook was all a twitter and twitter was foaming at the beak; new writers, writers who barely dipped a toe in the ink of published works posted feverishly about their brushes with greatness only in the end to be dashed by cronyism.
I am not smart. I warned people as I warn today. Choose wisely who are willing to entrust with your work.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Editor's Notes Part One
This year we will start a new feature title EDITOR'S NOTES. As we prepare for the opening of class in February this a good tine to get a good jump on what editors look for in a story.
Today's word is 'disconnected'. When your story is disconnected it is random, disjointed, just a series of unconnected scenes with no unifying element. Let's use the word in a sentence: "The incoherent, delirious inmate whose incoherent ramblings frustrated the staff". Thank you Merriam Webster Dictionary. Editors look for a story line something simple to mark the line of action from Point A to Point B to Point C. Linear connections involving a unifying element such as a character is preferred.
Understand that literature is not always linear just as arithmetic is not always addition. When a character does unify each scene he does just that and as an editor that should be evident.
Editors and writers rarely see eye to eye; they are natural born enemies so while helpful hints may seem innocuous such, as the unity of a story missed, may seem derogatory.
Today's word is 'disconnected'. When your story is disconnected it is random, disjointed, just a series of unconnected scenes with no unifying element. Let's use the word in a sentence: "The incoherent, delirious inmate whose incoherent ramblings frustrated the staff". Thank you Merriam Webster Dictionary. Editors look for a story line something simple to mark the line of action from Point A to Point B to Point C. Linear connections involving a unifying element such as a character is preferred.
Understand that literature is not always linear just as arithmetic is not always addition. When a character does unify each scene he does just that and as an editor that should be evident.
Editors and writers rarely see eye to eye; they are natural born enemies so while helpful hints may seem innocuous such, as the unity of a story missed, may seem derogatory.
My Interview Is Up!!!
And from Scotland by way of the Internet here is my interview on authorsinterviews:
http://authorsinterviews.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/here-is-my-interview-with-joseph-j-patchen/
Thank you Fiona Mcvie.
http://authorsinterviews.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/here-is-my-interview-with-joseph-j-patchen/
Thank you Fiona Mcvie.
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