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wayoutwalt
Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870
TEXAS (it's all big)

0 posted 2002-06-02 01:55 AM


I seriously want to finish my life a long time from now having been published in an outlet of some reputation (not that I don't cherish my copy of the PIP book). Well, my problem has been thankfully diagnosed and as to the editors at Cosmopoliton I am indebted to them for bringing to light the fact that I am not alone. I suffer from the disability of licking a stamp and putting a letter into a mailbox. My wife pays all the bills. I get friends to package my warrantied items and send them off for fixing. I cannot mail!!!

So how will I ever be published?

I tried all the online sources, you can even submit to the New Yorker online but the sad fact is so can a million others just like me. We 'fraidy cats that think of a paper cut on the tongue from licking an envelope is as dispecable as waiting six to eight weeks for a response when nothing most likely will ever come back in return.

There needs to be a support group!

disclaimer: walt will not be the support group president. he also has a fear of responsibility.

In the support group we can remind each other that submitting is the only way and snail mail is unfortunately the proven way to get it done. I know that online submitting might have worked for some of you but not the majority of anyone ever submitting. A support group can buddy up to remind each other that 6 to 8 weeks is all it takes to:

ruin an engagement
plan a wedding
solve a rubiks cube
clean my bedroom
etc.

6 to 8 weeks is a scary thought and I am bringing my own self down as I think about it... wish I had a shoulder to lean on (sniff)

any other thoughts





[This message has been edited by wayoutwalt (06-02-2002 01:58 AM).]

© Copyright 2002 Walt Burns - All Rights Reserved
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
1 posted 2002-06-02 02:04 AM


Maybe someone has a current edition of "Poet's Market" we could use (no, not to prop the door open!).

I think a lot of us are unsure of WHERE to submit...who would publish what we write? I know some magazines like free verse and wouldn't print my rhyming stuff (word edited for decency!)....

I'm in...do I have to do a secret handshake? I don't want to be treasurer...I am not a money person...I'd spend it on doodads or something.


Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
2 posted 2002-06-02 07:40 AM


LOL ... looks like I'll be the third member Walt ... sign me up too please.
Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

3 posted 2002-06-02 07:54 AM


6 to 8 weeks is all it takes!

6 to 8 weeks is all it takes!


And we even have a slogan...


Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
4 posted 2002-06-02 08:44 AM


...and it passes quickly...

jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
5 posted 2002-06-02 09:48 AM


I believe IVY ROSE has published - you may solicite suggestions from her - Maybe she'd mentor the group...if her schedule would allow.

jimmy

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
6 posted 2002-06-02 09:55 AM



Walt, in placing my own foot firmly upon my own backside [not an easy task, believe me!] I searched for a "local" [meaning State-local] publishing house.  Found one.  Then I did some research on it, and found it to be quite reputable.  Also, they want to take unpublished first-time authors and give them a leg up.  

But before I contact them, I thought perhaps to do something else.  What, I asked me, and me answered, am I going to send them.  [Spouse thinks you just pack it all up and ship it all in, but I don't think that's quite the way to do it.]  So, I asked a friend who is pretty much my opposite when it comes to writing if she would be interested in going through my work and picking out those readings that she would pick up again, and again if she were to own my writing in book format.  Now, this in itself is not an easy task, deciding on someone to basically turn your life over to.  But I know I cannot make an objective decision...

then you tell a few trusted friends your deepest secret...shhhh...I'm really going to try to do this, but you all have to be the burr in my side and ask now and then "how's it coming along...?"

and with that impetus, you truly feel you cannot let ANYONE down...[or they will come get you, I SWEAR!]...

so...baby steps, Walt...baby steps...but it's up to YOU to know when the time is right.  [For you, that was probably about two years ago, but it's never too late...]

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
7 posted 2002-06-02 12:01 PM


Sunshine, are they charging you to publish - as in a chapbook?
wayoutwalt
Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870
TEXAS (it's all big)
8 posted 2002-06-02 12:17 PM


It's overwhelming to pick what to send off as I always like to reinvent myself or feel that I am improving to the point that all my old stuff is yuck... I show it to a friend and he picks what I would never pick and I think oh he just doesn't get the point and I get nowhere in the situation but not believing in myself like I should.
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
9 posted 2002-06-02 12:22 PM


Ok....I'm going to post this, I've asked them to send me more info so as soon as I get it, I'll fill you in..but here's a website:

http://www.1stbooks.com/

catalinamoon
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543
The Shores of Alone
10 posted 2002-06-02 04:49 PM


Walt,I posted here a few week ago a company I have contacted that publishes for really low rates. The info is here /pip/Forum29/HTML/000940.html
Aside from that, I have sent so many submissions, and the 6-8 weeks doesn't apparently work, cause I have only ONCE even received an actual decline by mail, its usually just a big ignore. And once I won a little poem contest at PoetryKingdom, online. Otherwise, no one seems to give a care what I write. Except my fiends here.
Sigh.
Sign me up for the club. I will be the chief complainer.
Sandra

[This message has been edited by catalinamoon (06-02-2002 04:51 PM).]

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
11 posted 2002-06-02 05:21 PM


No, devine one...they are out to HELP the author...not a chapbook in the least!  I'm so jazzed...

[This message has been edited by Sunshine (06-02-2002 05:21 PM).]

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
12 posted 2002-06-02 05:24 PM


I have a number of poems published in small magazines and some anthologies also.  I find the Writer's Market invaluable for finding appropriate places to send out to.  Most of them are pretty good at getting back to you within a couple of months.  I have enough rejection letters to prove it.

I haven't sent anything out for a long time...it is pretty discouraging, but if you don't send anything out, then there is no way you will ever be published.  I need a push too...can I be a member??

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
13 posted 2002-06-02 05:59 PM


Does anyone give a reason when they reject your work? Are they looking more for free verse, etc??
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
14 posted 2002-06-02 06:28 PM


I mostly send free verse...They usually say something like this one:

"We thank you for having given us the opportunity to read your manuscript, but regret that it does not meet our particular needs at this time."

or..here's another:

"Thank you for sending us your manuscript.  The return of your work does not necessarily imply criticism of its merit, but may simply mean that it does not meet our present editorial needs.  We regret that circumstances do not allow individual comment."


wayoutwalt
Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870
TEXAS (it's all big)
15 posted 2002-06-02 11:03 PM


hehe yuh can you believe that the New Yorker simply IGNORED me!! outrageous... well I only sent to them for the fun of it and not expecting anything in return... I am going to try for real now... I really am.
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
16 posted 2002-06-03 06:44 AM



Martie!  You've read my mail!  

Walt, if it doesn't get submitted, it's a clear No.  If if does get submitted, you've the 50/50 chance...

Let's go play the odds, shall we?

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
17 posted 2002-06-03 07:51 PM


Here's my email reply from 1stBooks:

quote:

Hello Sharon,

This is Dan Heise from 1stBooks Library.

You recently requested information about 1stBooks and our
publishing services.  So that you won't have to wait for
our publishing guide to arrive in the mail, here is a link,
which will allow you to view the publishing guide at your
convenience:
http://www.1stbooks.com/publish.html

The guide explains print-on-demand and how it helps authors
as well as the services we offer.  Also, here's a link to
download the latest version of our contract and view our
prices:
http://www.1stbooks.com/misc/contract.html

I've also taken the liberty of listing the 7 best features
of publishing through 1stBooks and how they benefit you:

* No rejections---Never receive another rejection slip
again. Get published now!  We believe that all books should
be given a chance to get published and that all authors
should be published.  So, we accept all manuscripts (with
the exceptions of pornography and hate material).

* Personal touch---In this age of technology, we still
believe in the "personal touch."  During each step of the
process (before you submit your manuscript, while it's
being published, and when we're promoting it), you'll have
a personal contact to guide you through each step and to
keep you up-to-date.

* Promotion and marketing---We understand that you're a
writer and not a marketer.  That's why we have established
programs that can send out press releases for you, teach
you how to schedule book signings, and even place
advertisements in the New York Times and Los Angeles
Times!

* Customization---The staff at 1stBooks is acutely aware
of how committed you have been to write and refine your
work to the finished product you will send to us.  Your
input is requested so that we partner to produce a finished
product that you can be proud of.

* Pick the price of your book---Not only do we give you
choices for the price of your book, you can also choose
the amount you receive for each sale.  It can be as high as
50% and as low as 5% -- your choice!  With 1stBooks,
we work hard to make sure you're comfortable with the
price of your book.

* No literary agent---Since we accept all manuscripts,
that means you don't have to hire a literary agent, which
means you don't have to waste time finding one or spending
money paying one either!

* No inventory of books---We don't force you to buy
hundreds (or thousands) of books.  Our print-on-demand
technology allows us to print just one copy or thousands of
copies of your book.  And, we print them only after orders
are placed, which means no leftover inventory.

We at 1stBooks are proud of the unique quality and quantity
of services we provide for our authors.  And, we would
like to share our expertise and experience with you.
However, you can only take advantage of them if you publish
through 1stBooks.  Please feel free to either respond to
this email or give me a call at the number below to discuss further.

Sincerely,

Dan Heise
Associate Director of Author Services
1stBooks Library
2595 Vernal Pike
Bloomington, IN  47404 http://www.1stbooks.com
dheise@1stbooks.com
Toll Free: 1-888-519-5121 ext. 257
Fax: 1-812-961-1023

P.S. I've also added you to our bi-weekly email newslettersubscription list, 1stNews from 1stBooks.  Each issue contains articles that help you build skills in writing, publishing, and book marketing.  I hope you'll enjoy it.


Cirrus
Member
since 2002-05-12
Posts 55

18 posted 2002-06-04 04:55 PM


I'm in, sign me up
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