Manda_W Wrote:Not the Jack situations, this little cat fight we have going. Anyone got popcorn to share?
I was attempting a funny...What is the first thing a sorority girl does in the morning?
Walk home.
Scott
Jesus died for your sins, get your money's worth. Chad Daniels
Manda_W Wrote:Not the Jack situations, this little cat fight we have going. Anyone got popcorn to share?
![[Image: popc1.gif]](http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/spezial/Fool/popc1.gif)
.
It's Thirteen O'Clock
-------------------------------------
"I said, Hey Senorita - that's astute, I said, why don't we get together and call ourselves an institute?" --Paul Simon
-------------------------------------
"In the final analysis, the last line of defense in support of freedom and the Constitution consists of the people themselves." -- Ron Paul
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
I don't have kids, so one of you that does, please put these two in a time-out or something, because if you don't then I'm gonna take my belt off and start whoopin'!
Major K
"He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a Prince." George Graham Vest
"We are alone, absolutely alone on this chance planet: and, amid all the forms of life that surround us, not one, excepting the dog, has made an alliance with us." - Maurice Maeterlinck
Yoyogod made an attempt to discredit my work and I replied by offering the message below--but he's never replied.
As stated, acquiring an agent and getting published today is extremely difficult. There are very few overnight success stories. Perhaps FPW would agree. The phenomenally successful John Grisham could not get published, therefore self-published and bought 1,000 of his own books to capture publishers' attention (by the way, Yoyogod, I'm signed with the same guys that originally handled his foreign rights). The authors of the bestselling series of 'Soup' tomes met with a dozen publishers and were rejected. They self-published, were successful, and then publishes took notice. A successful author friend took nine years to before being published. Another that was routinely rejected, took five years, and now published in five languages.
I'd be interested in hearing stories from board members who have had similar experiences. I believe sharing is healthy.
Yoyogod: If you knew anything about today's literary business, you'd be aware of how difficult it is to get an agent and get published. If agents do not recognize your name, or if you're not referred by one of their clients, you have little chance. Today, the literary god is profit. After retirement, I attempted, like so many others, receiving polite rejections.
I had no knowledge of PublishAmerica until their publisher contacted me--and I jumped at the chance for my first two novels. I did not agree for them to publish the third in the trilogy--so to have it published a year after the second, I opted to self-publish that one. However, 'The Franciscan Trilogy' received excellent local, regional, national, and international acclaim, including dozens of positive reviews, interviews on Public Radio and Fox-TV. In all, I had 18-book signings. Not too bad for a first-time neophyte without publicity backing from a publisher.
Winterwolf Publishing heard of my work and agreed to publish 'Overlay' and the sequel, 'The Dacian Resurgence.' Yes, they didn't live up to their promises. Again, the reviews were positive. Bestselling author Jon Land read and reviewed my international suspense novel, "Overlay', comparing it with Ludlum's best work. And bestselling author James Rollins read and reviewed 'The Dacian Resurgence', comparing it with both Clancy and Cussler's work.
I had no literary agent for the first five novels. Based on the reviews, especially those by bestselling authors, Jon Land and James Rollins--I landed a New York agent to handle all past and future work. This year he took my novels to the International Book Fair in London and emailed me: "You weren't here but you were a hit in London and the second most requested material that we handle."
Recently, he had two publishing editors review one of my manuscripts, 'Fatal Incision' (a spinoff of the Jack the Ripper mystery)--and received glowing feedback. There are another five completed manuscripts.
All five of my first novels initially took off in the beginning but sales took a nose dive without publicity. Perhaps we can improve on that in the future.
So you see, Yoyogod, one must start somewhere, have confidence in your work, and move up from there. Hopefully that's what I did.
As stated, acquiring an agent and getting published today is extremely difficult. There are very few overnight success stories. Perhaps FPW would agree. The phenomenally successful John Grisham could not get published, therefore self-published and bought 1,000 of his own books to capture publishers' attention (by the way, Yoyogod, I'm signed with the same guys that originally handled his foreign rights). The authors of the bestselling series of 'Soup' tomes met with a dozen publishers and were rejected. They self-published, were successful, and then publishes took notice. A successful author friend took nine years to before being published. Another that was routinely rejected, took five years, and now published in five languages.
I'd be interested in hearing stories from board members who have had similar experiences. I believe sharing is healthy.
Yoyogod: If you knew anything about today's literary business, you'd be aware of how difficult it is to get an agent and get published. If agents do not recognize your name, or if you're not referred by one of their clients, you have little chance. Today, the literary god is profit. After retirement, I attempted, like so many others, receiving polite rejections.
I had no knowledge of PublishAmerica until their publisher contacted me--and I jumped at the chance for my first two novels. I did not agree for them to publish the third in the trilogy--so to have it published a year after the second, I opted to self-publish that one. However, 'The Franciscan Trilogy' received excellent local, regional, national, and international acclaim, including dozens of positive reviews, interviews on Public Radio and Fox-TV. In all, I had 18-book signings. Not too bad for a first-time neophyte without publicity backing from a publisher.
Winterwolf Publishing heard of my work and agreed to publish 'Overlay' and the sequel, 'The Dacian Resurgence.' Yes, they didn't live up to their promises. Again, the reviews were positive. Bestselling author Jon Land read and reviewed my international suspense novel, "Overlay', comparing it with Ludlum's best work. And bestselling author James Rollins read and reviewed 'The Dacian Resurgence', comparing it with both Clancy and Cussler's work.
I had no literary agent for the first five novels. Based on the reviews, especially those by bestselling authors, Jon Land and James Rollins--I landed a New York agent to handle all past and future work. This year he took my novels to the International Book Fair in London and emailed me: "You weren't here but you were a hit in London and the second most requested material that we handle."
Recently, he had two publishing editors review one of my manuscripts, 'Fatal Incision' (a spinoff of the Jack the Ripper mystery)--and received glowing feedback. There are another five completed manuscripts.
All five of my first novels initially took off in the beginning but sales took a nose dive without publicity. Perhaps we can improve on that in the future.
So you see, Yoyogod, one must start somewhere, have confidence in your work, and move up from there. Hopefully that's what I did.
sigokat Wrote:Yes, you are correct, but we use the latter more then the former.When I saw FIDO....I thought immediately of BOHICA....one of hubby's favorite work sayings!
Here's another, but it doesn't really apply in this situation:
BOHICA
And I'm just sitting back, watching the fur flying around here..........meow.
This post was last modified: 11-22-2006, 06:05 PM by cobalt.
EWMAN
WR.PARK Wrote:Yoyogod made an attempt to discredit my work and I replied by offering the message below--but he's never replied.
As stated, acquiring an agent and getting published today is extremely difficult. There are very few overnight success stories. Perhaps FPW would agree. The phenomenally successful John Grisham could not get published, therefore self-published and bought 1,000 of his own books to capture publishers' attention (by the way, Yoyogod, I'm signed with the same guys that originally handled his foreign rights). The authors of the bestselling series of 'Soup' tomes met with a dozen publishers and were rejected. They self-published, were successful, and then publishes took notice. A successful author friend took nine years to before being published. Another that was routinely rejected, took five years, and now published in five languages.
I wasn't actually trying to discredit your work. If I was trying to do that I'd just say that your writing sucks, which I wouldn't do without having actually read it.
While I have never actually tried to get a novel published (I'm just too damn lazy to get more than three or four chapters into writing one before I get distracted), I do like to follow some of the writing related blogs, especially Miss Snark and Writer Beware. They're good places for wannabe writers to read to keep advised of potential scams. A lot of people don't keep track of the scams on the fringe of the publishing industry, and I wanted to be sure that you weren't being scammed.
Yoyogod...you'd be surprised at how many that aspire to the literary trade do checkout Writers Beware. Preditors & Editors is another great site to check on agents and publishers. Ms. Snark is another subject. I'm told by many that while she's informative, she's also a little too sharp-edged for their taste.
Anyone dipping their toe in today's literary waters better be aware of sharks. I learned a valuable lesson from the get-go...and now know better--and pass on that knowledge by talking to writer's groups whenever possible--hoping they don't make mistake I did. As I said, I believe in sharing. We can all help each other survive.
I would hope, if you did read any of my work, you wouldn't think they sucked. But we all have different tastes. I've read some novels that received glowing reviews that I didn't even finish. Just laid one to rest. Should have either buried or burned it.
Anyone dipping their toe in today's literary waters better be aware of sharks. I learned a valuable lesson from the get-go...and now know better--and pass on that knowledge by talking to writer's groups whenever possible--hoping they don't make mistake I did. As I said, I believe in sharing. We can all help each other survive.
I would hope, if you did read any of my work, you wouldn't think they sucked. But we all have different tastes. I've read some novels that received glowing reviews that I didn't even finish. Just laid one to rest. Should have either buried or burned it.
webby Wrote:You know, even if it didn't sound like sour grapes before, it sure does now. I want back the five minutes I just spent reading this thread..
You only spent 5 minutes? I've been reading what seems like forever now, just to find out who wins the fight. But believe me, I wish I stopped long ago. Sorry...take that back. The story ideas for Jack are awesome. (IMHO) I started to write something then scrapped it. Not that I was eligible either (not in the US). Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.
Stephanie
Abe's raised eyebrows caused furrows in his extended forehead. "Five in twelve hours?"
"Oh, and like you've never had a cranky day?"
Silverfish Wrote:
You only spent 5 minutes? I've been reading what seems like forever now, just to find out who wins the fight. But believe me, I wish I stopped long ago. Sorry...take that back. The story ideas for Jack are awesome. (IMHO) I started to write something then scrapped it. Not that I was eligible either (not in the US). Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.
Stephanie
5 minutes on that particular day - just reading the posts I hadn't read before.
I agree, the posted story ideas were excellent! I'd seriously like to see Jack take one or more of those on!
.
It's Thirteen O'Clock
-------------------------------------
"I said, Hey Senorita - that's astute, I said, why don't we get together and call ourselves an institute?" --Paul Simon
-------------------------------------
"In the final analysis, the last line of defense in support of freedom and the Constitution consists of the people themselves." -- Ron Paul
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]