December 2012 Group Read - Birthdays For The Dead by Stuart MacBride

[Koeeoaddi]

...and I'm gone. The idea I've seen floating around that this will cull all but "serious writers" shores up my conviction that I've been a feckless dilettante all along. :)

Wonder why they didn't try to monetize the site with leveled memberships (with ads disappearing when you subscribe)? Oh well. It's been fun.

[Rose]

I think the HOUSEBOAT will opt out too.

[Ruth]

I'm considering. I do use Duotrope, but I don't use their submission tracking. Is it worth $50? Hmmmm.

[Joan]

I'll just go back to using Poets & Writers, methinks. www.pw.org.

The only thing I've used Duotrope for is to browse issues and easily find websites. I'll have to think hard about whether the convenience is worth $50. Their listing is a little more extensive than P&W but that might change with these charges being assessed.

Here's another thing. I received my Chi Trib bill stating it was going up $8 (for 8 weeks), I called the rep and said it was an outrageous increase. He gave me the line about how they had added so many pages. I said I didn't like that either--puffing stories they way they do. He said how much would I pay. I said I would pay what I currently pay. Then he said okay--he'd adjust my account accordingly. I got his name, jotted it on my "altered" bill, asked him for how long he guarantees this. 24 weeks he said. (I learned to do this when our local paper tried to increase the cost--you can do it with magazines too). Just Say No.

[Joan]

Just had a thought. Go to Duotrope Search and Open Browse (Poetry) and save to your Favorites. It works, and you'll still have access to the mags listed for convenience sake.

[Ruth]

It probably still works because the paying thing doesn't start until Jan 1. I bet you'll have to sign in after that.

But I'll try it. That's really the only part I use.

[Poppy]

A sign of the times, methinks. I can read my local newspaper in 10 minutes, the price is phenomenal, the advertising sheets weigh it down, and the little 1/2 paper flaps annoy me endlessly. I have complained, and yet - I DO want that newspaper every morning at my breakfast table.

Everything is going "to be up in the air" soon, polluting away.

[Ruth]

I hate those paper flaps, too. But what I hate even more are the sticky advertisements they slap right on top of the first page.

[Joan]

What you save to Favorites is what is on there right now. So, no, it won't update, but you can still use it to find websites and addresses of mags.

[Poppy]

Ruth wrote: "I hate those paper flaps, too. But what I hate even more are the sticky advertisements they slap right on top of the first page."

Ugh. Yes.

[Bill]

I was just sardonically amused on page 86 that people in Britain are becoming as illiterate as us Yanks--a fire exit says THIS DOOR IS ALARMED just like those here at the U. I always wonder, "Alarmed at what?"

This will be my second Stuart MacBride book so I'm prepared for really nasty things to happen to the characters.

[Sarah]

I found the price steep. $50! I still haven't decided about subscribing, though, because I discovered a lot of interesting and unknown (to me) markets through Duotrope. I contributed most years but well below $50.
I use the tracker, but actually only did it as a favor to Duotrope for the sake of their stats! I keep track myself on paper.

[Koeeoaddi]

Here's a free tracker. A little clunky, but better than Excel!

http://www.writersdb.com/

[Bill]

I'm just about halfway and I think we've rumbled the murderer. Of course this point is where mystery story writers love to leave a great smelly red herring too.

[AngryGreyCat]

I haven't started it yet, but I am happy this book won the poll because it really sounds good.