YOU ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING, RIGHT?

[R.F.G.]

A.K. wrote: "Don’t seek to limit yourselves by believing the traditional publishing industry is a bridge only a select few are privy to cross. With persistence, a true belief in the power of your words, a broad..."

Considering the contracts Trad Publishers offer to people who aren't numbered amongst the select few, why would anyone want to cross that bridge?

[A.K.]

R.F.G. wrote: "A.K. wrote: "Don’t seek to limit yourselves by believing the traditional publishing industry is a bridge only a select few are privy to cross. With persistence, a true belief in the power of your w..."

I see your point and empathize with your angst. As a traditionally published writer, I do have mixed feelings about self publishing. I think it's a wonderful thing that anyone can now publish their own books. But I've seen so many problems we lovers of the written word are having.

For many the cost is high however they expect that it will all be paid back after they get it out to the public. But that is the second problem. Once published they don't know what to do to get it out where it will make them money. The thing they need to realize is that when you publish your own book, YOU are the publisher. And you need to do what all traditional publishers do; that is if you know what to do, which is NEVER the case. Some really excellent book printers do give self publishers quite a bit of help, but it doesn't compare to what a traditional publisher does for it's authors.

Are you one of those writers whose work is exceptional? You very well may be. Should a traditional publisher take your work? It probably should. But if you have or plan to self publish then find the best rated book printer who will give you some extras to help with getting your book out there. And then make a marketing plan and do everything possible to promote your book.

WHAT INSPIRES ME - http://thekuykendallpost.blogspot.com...

[R.F.G.]

Angst, not really what I'd call it.

In this day and age most aspiring writers who have talent are going to have to hire and pay an editor, copy editor, and proofreaders, before submitting their manuscript to a Trad Publisher in order to make it past the hung-over intern going over the slush pile. Not an inexpensive process to be sure.

What the Trad Publisher does for its new unknown authors usually costs them as much as Self Publishing until they've made a name for themselves, with the added bonus of a lousy contract.

[A.K.]

R.F.G. wrote: "Angst, not really what I'd call it.

In this day and age most aspiring writers who have talent are going to have to hire and pay an editor, copy editor, and proofreaders, before submitting their ma..."

Angst may have been the wrong word choice, R.F.G., and for that I apologize. Look, the plethora of self publishing mills out there would hope that you simply give up; think the way you're thinking now and tire of the endless rejections in order for these vultures to benefit from your dismay.

The stigma of it all is still a sticky one. I've been writing since I was ten years of age under countless nom de plume's that are very much alive to this very day and, like that of Stephen King at an early stage in his life, I fished many of the short stories I weaved to traditional publishers -- royalty paying anthologies with much success. All to prove to myself and others that not only did I find my work worthy, but so did others with a traditional perspective. Worthy enough to invest in the publication of such material.

It is both with the short stories and the novels I've written that my advice comes into play. Believe it or not, but I've written thirteen novels/concepts in my life; eleven of which, during my time in college I reluctantly sold the copyright too because I was essentially broke as hell. They were sold to many 'big' names in the publishing industry today of which I can't divulge any details due to the stipulations of the agreements signed, but I can tell you that these stories have grossed millions in print and motion picture.

My advice comes from a simple fact that our stories in the hands of one with established clout will both excel and sell beyond anything you yourself could ever hope to achieve. That is just reality as it is not what you know, it's who you know. As a raw, nameless storyteller making my way through college with a major in pre-medical studies with a minor in Psychology, it was (looking back on it now) the only way I could have earned on my stories.

Anyway... the problem with most enterprises that will help you self publish is that they don't really care about the product. Though they would argue vehemently that they are not; in fact, any company that takes your money for anything in book form other than printing is a vanity press, in my opinion. There's nothing wrong with that as long as you realize that is what you are getting into. Many of them charge thousands of pounds/dollars. They would publish the alphabet on two hundred pages for you if you paid them.

For me, I believe that self publishing means what it says. You do all the work including formatting, publicity etc and you publish , probably on Createspace and Kindle as they don't charge you a fee. They then do POD which again costs you nothing.

Libraries and chain bookstores are out of reach for the POD authors. If the self published author orders a couple of thousand books to be printed by a reputable printing firm he/she is likely to get stuck with a lot of remainders. And there is no guarantee that they will buy the books in the first place.

So, if you want your books in the mainstream I'm afraid you are stuck with the traditional publishers who have the clout to get you there.

A STRATEGY IS WHAT YOU NEED - http://www.thewriterofbooks.com/home/...

[R.F.G.]

Writing for a mainstream audience is fine for those whose dream is to [maybe] make millions. Often enough many writers achieve a small measure of that success after going through the same old process of subjugation until they accept whatever pitiful recompense offered.

Toady's new writers basically have to go through the same work and expense of Self Publishing while attempting to get a contract with Trad Publishing, so either way one goes they're stuck with a situation that is far from perfect. A lot of the issues you detail about Self Publishing are the same for Trad Publishing -- new authors don't get get good (much less great) contracts unless they know someone.

If you, as a writer, have had so much success with Trad Publishing, here's a plan. Read the work of a few relatively unknown Indie authors, then use your contacts to help them get a fair reading.

As for mainstream success, I find myself oddly happy I don't and won't have that. If I did, I wouldn't have the time to devote to my child now because I'd be too busy doing footwork so a large corporation could make more profit from my efforts. Being there while my tiny demon grows up is worth more to me now because soon enough I'll be gone.

[A.K.]

R.F.G. wrote: "Writing for a mainstream audience is fine for those whose dream is to [maybe] make millions. Often enough many writers achieve a small measure of that success after going through the same old proc..."

Writing for a mainstream audience is not only for those whom dream of making millions, but for those whom wish for their words to be read far and wide and without the stigma attached to that of self-publishing. It is true, however, that both traditional publishing and self-publishing has its merits and it's pitfalls. Words of encouragement from one whose been there is worth its weight in gold for those whose dreams loom large in this world of words and story.

STAY THE COURSE - http://www.thewriterofbooks.com/list-...

[R.F.G.]

Really?

I encourage people to follow their dream but be realistic about their chances. In all honesty writers today need to gain a following before submitting to a Trad Publisher, otherwise they may see that dream become a nightmare.

Being an obscure author I have had readers on every continent except Australia, South America, and Antarctica. A reader in China even offered to translate my work into Mandarin, though that is a market I prefer not to enter. Do I care if I don't get invited to parties or asked for autographs? No, but to each their own.

Any stigma attached to Self-Publishing is no different from the 'stigma' people are beginning to attach to Trad Publishing. Yes Trad Publishing has 'gate keepers' -- people who often enough bypass a lot of uniquely creative writers for a few pounding out more of the same old same old. The 'stigma of Self-Publishing' is also often pushed the hardest by Trad Publishing in order to protect its falling profits.

In either venue a reader can find what amounts to schlock, though with Trad it's often enough work that's also warped to fit a narrowly defined marketing niche. A writer can write what a particular Trad Publisher wants or Self-Publish, either way with no guarantee of 'success'.

Either way a writer goes it will take time and effort to have an audience, unless the writer is one of the very few who is fortunate enough to have a friend (or acquaintance) who knows an editor who owes them a favor and so on and so forth.

[Rebecca]

There are advantages both ways. I think that it's not helpful to argue for the supreme value of one route over the other. Best might be a mix; my hope is to get enough written ahead to send some out the trad route while I keep self-publishing others.

To me, the biggest problem with self-publishing is the myriads of folks who shove stuff out there without editing. That tends to bury the good stuff. Unfortunately, there's a similar pile of schlock in every agent's in-box, so it's just as hard to get through that way.

My books are available to a library that wants them. The problem is discoverability, as the key reviewers won't review self-published work (again, this is the consequence of the veritable landslide of books, many just bad).

Agree that if you want to be an author-publisher, you have to be ready to take on a lot of jobs! I was ready for the writing and editing end (with a little help from my friends), but marketing is WAY outside my expertise. I have had to accept that the long learning curve on that one impacts my sales and reach.

[Regina]

God knows, I hope I'm not that "good." The traditionally published novel I am currently reading contains the word "majorly." As in "He was majorly disappointed."

It's a period piece set in 1860 and I feel his pain. Not that any other time setting would make that word acceptable in any context other than in the dialog of a contemporary 13 year old girl.

"Not good enough." That's rich.

[Rebecca]

Regina wrote: "God knows, I hope I'm not that "good." The traditionally published novel I am currently reading contains the word "majorly." As in "He was majorly disappointed."

It's a period piece set in 1860 an..."

God. Anachronisms are a pet peeve of mine; I'd probably take that book back and ask for a refund! Or else fling it out the window.

[Mike]

Same here. I recently read the phrase "her negativity infects everything" spoken by someone in the 1940s. I should say that the book was otherwise very good - excellent, in fact - and I gave it a positive review. But just for a moment, I was majorly infected by negativity.

[R.F.G.]

There can be advantages either way a writer goes, but for unknown authors the odds aren't very good by going the Trad route. It's a bit like going to Vegas thinking "I'm going to clean house" or buying that lotto ticket and retiring on the winnings -- the odds of doing either are less than your odds of being struck by writing.

An interesting article many starry-eyed writers should read is http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/the-ne...

Either way a writer goes, he or she needs to be ready to have editing done, and even with others doing editing things can and often enough will slip through.

The days of a big publisher showering all sorts of 'free' help on a relative newcomer's work are gone, if they ever existed in the first place, which considering how awful contracts are for unknowns...

[Noorilhuda]

Maybe traditional houses looks for certain types of plot lines (the huge YA wave and even majority of young voters at GR is not a coincidence). Following is an interesting infographic on what gets the attention of Booker Prize!

http://www.slow-journalism.com/plot-l...

[Mike]

R.F.G. wrote: "There can be advantages either way a writer goes, but for unknown authors the odds aren't very good by going the Trad route. It's a bit like going to Vegas thinking "I'm going to clean house" or b..."

Great. So we all have to write about love, death and corruption! Publishers and the Booker judged will come running.
Maybe they would. Years ago the British journalist and humourist asked his publishers what the most successful themes were. "Golf," they said. "And cats. And Nazis, of course." So he called the book Golfing for Cats and they put a swastika on the cover. Forty years later it's still no. 21,000 on Amazon. Though the swastika did get it confiscated at the Frankfurt Book Fair at the time.

[Quoleena]

I've read some traditionally published books--with editors--where I was like, "Wow, another glaring typo." Also, I read a popular trilogy last year, and the thing that bugged me the most about the first book was the crazy lack of transitions. A character would be sitting and chatting in a group, and the next paragraph, they'd be somewhere completely different, doing the thing that was alluded to in the previous paragraph. It bugged me throughout the book, which had a publishing house editor, btw. So, yeah, so much for the "Not good enough for traditional publishing" perspective.

Now, the problem with the self-publishing arena can sometimes be attributed to impatience.(Sometimes it's delusions, like those kids on American Idol whose parents tell them they're awesome, but Simon Cowell tells them the truth, and they call him an ass.) There are writers who think that just because it's available, people will read it and enjoy it. I tried to read one before, and I couldn't get through the first page. Then I read another, and it was so well-written and had a great story to boot.

So, my point is this: there is traditionally published crap, and there is self-published crap; there are traditionally published gems, and there are self-published gems. Quality is king. To condescend with "not good enough to go the traditional route" indicates someone that simply isn't paying attention to the trend. The weight of power has shifted. No longer does a good book have to sit for months in a pile on a desk, hoping a publisher will bother to pick it up. There is a reading public out there who is hungry to dig into a good book right now, downloaded straight to their Kindles, Nooks, and such.

I would say it takes as much effort pushing a book through the traditional route as there is pushing it through all the eBook outlets, such as bloggers, reviewers, and this cool little website called, Goodreads.

Sure, the publishing houses know how to do it, but are they going to pick it up in the first place, when they're already so inundated and are playing a different sort of game than simply putting out a book because it is good?

But for those talented authors who try the self-publishing route in lieu of that game, there's this little thing called the internet, which is kind of funny in the way it works. You see, an author can do tons and tons of research on marketing and advertising their book, in order to get it out to the public. So to say: "And you need to do what all traditional publishers do; that is if you know what to do, which is NEVER the case." is quite laughable. This is a new generation of readers and a new era of publishing. All those who refuse to jump on board the digital train will simply get left behind in the heaps of books left on publishers' desks.

A propos of nothing, one day I dream to both self-publish and have my book published in print by a traditional publishing house.

[Jim]

Just an observation. I have probably read approximately 700 books to date. I have discovered an occasional technical writing error in a traditionally published book. However, such errors have been rare - the exception rather than the rule.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned from my father and other mentors during my youth was that pointing out bad behavior and mistakes in others was no excuse for, and had absolutely no bearing upon one's own bad behavior or mistakes.

Accept the fact that nothing worthwhile can be achieved without expending the time and effort required to actually achieving it and you will succeed much more often than you will fail.

Don't allow false modesty to ever prevent you from accepting the credit for your successes. On the other hand, never allow pride to prevent you from accepting responsibility for those times when you fail.

[Rayanne]

All I know is that I submitted inquiry letters to a few publishers and never heard a thing. That biz model doesn't work in any industry, so I did what any entrepreneur would do - I established my own publishing company. Some of us simply don't have the time and inclination to waste.

[Justin]

Usually the reason people go with self publishing over traditional is because they don't want to wait around, never heard back or they get rejected. So, in some ways yes it is hard to get accepted but that shouldn't stop people from still trying. Make your book as great as possible and submit it to as many places as you can, if none of them accept perhaps consider another route.

[Christine]

R.F.G. wrote: "...The days of a big publisher showering all sorts of 'free' help on a relative newcomer's work are gone, if they ever existed in the first place, which considering how awful contracts are for unknowns..."

Your propaganda is a bit heavy. Perhaps you had a bad experience with a small ineffective publisher. Your comments are inaccurate in most cases.

I'm a traditionally published author with my first book being released in May. That makes me a newcomer. I have an excellent contract and am not required to pay for cover, editing, promotion, etc. In fact I don't see me paying for anything. The publisher is well respected and takes very good care of its authors.

There was a time when many small publishers cropped up and took advantage of new authors. Most of those are now defunct. I think it would be logical to research the credibility of the publisher and/or agent and have an expert review your contract before signing.

Never making any attempt to be traditionally published makes no sense to me - just my opinion.

[R.F.G.]

Christine wrote: "R.F.G. wrote: "...The days of a big publisher showering all sorts of 'free' help on a relative newcomer's work are gone, if they ever existed in the first place, which considering how awful contrac..."

Good to know some people win the lotto.

As for propaganda and inaccuracy, you're entitled to your opinion.

[Jim]

Winning a lottery is pure chance. Talent, skillset, and knowledge play no part in winning or losing. There are far better methods to achieving a comfortable lifestyle.

A legitimate mainline traditional publisher makes it known up front that approximately 97% of submissions are rejected annually because they are so poorly written that they cannot be salvaged or they are not commercially viable within the current market.

The legitimate traditional publisher's acquisition agent will recommend that the candidate has their attorney review the author/publishing contract prior to signing and returning it. Producing and successfully promoting a commerically viable book is a team effort that requires a partnership between publisher and author, based upon mutual trust and respect.

[R.F.G.]

Jim wrote: "Just an observation. I have probably read approximately 700 books to date. I have discovered an occasional technical writing error in a traditionally published book. However, such errors have been rare - the exception rather than the rule..."

Just an observation, at my age I've read upwards of 10,000 books to date and errors/typos aren't all that rare.

I had over 700 titles in the book collection I lost due to a storage fire (someone robbing units used fire to try to cover their tracks).

At any rate people are free to choose whatever route they wish, from vanity/subsidy publishing to self and traditional publishing.

Have a great evening folks, I have diapers to change and bottles to fix, whether that comes under the purview of the US FDA or FTC is anyone's guess. :)

[Micah]

Jim wrote: "Just an observation. I have probably read approximately 700 books to date. I have discovered an occasional technical writing error in a traditionally published book. However, such errors have been rare..."

Well all I can say is you're damned lucky. I've been running into it more and more often these days. In fact in my unscientific observation, it's rather the exception that a traditionally published work if free of obvious errors. Most of them, no doubt, are products of editing--typos, repeated words, incorrect punctuation and capitalization--rather than errors by the authors themselves.

It's even worse with books that have been (cheaply and sloppily) converted to eBooks.

[Micah]

Rayanne wrote: "All I know is that I submitted inquiry letters to a few publishers and never heard a thing. That biz model doesn't work in any industry..."

And when publishers declare that they accept no simultaneous submissions, technically your book then becomes literally nonpunishable because you've given them exclusive rights of review.

It is, and always has been, an arrogant and elitist business model, and now more than ever it's quite out of step with the modern world.

[Sherri]

I have books that are traditionally published and I recently dipped my toes into the self publishing waters. When done right, self publishing isn't that much different than publishing traditionally. The major difference is that the cost is coming out of my pocket and that I'm having to upload the books to the retail sites myself. My book still goes through the same amount of editing, formatting, etc. I'm still doing much the same marketing. Personally, I like having both. It gives me access to more readers that way. And so far, only one blogger has refused to even look at my book because it was self published. Considering I've also ran up against someone in the past who didn't want to have anything to do with my book because it was traditionally published, I'd say that's not something I'm going to lose sleep over.

We really need to stop looking at whether or not a book is traditionally published or self published. What's important is the book itself and how much effort went into producing a quality book. Why exactly are authors tearing each other down for choosing to publishing their books differently than someone else?

[R.F.G.]

Sherri wrote: "I have books that are traditionally published and I recently dipped my toes into the self publishing waters. When done right, self publishing isn't that much different than publishing traditionally..."

:)

Good point.

If I had the money I'd order a few of your books.

Now back to diaper duty.

[Jim]

R.F.G. wrote: "Jim wrote: "Just an observation. I have probably read approximately 700 books to date. I have discovered an occasional technical writing error in a traditionally published book. However, such error..."

You have read approximately 9,300 more books than I have. I am 67 years-old. In order for me to have read 10,000 books, assuming that I started at age 6, I would have had to read three books a week, every week, for 61 years. I guess it is merely a matter of choice. I spent much more time living life than I did reading about it.

[Timothy]

I always find these discussions interesting, however you must know there is never going to be a resolution to this issue.

Many trade published authors will wear that as a badge of honor that tells the world they ran the gauntlet and made it through.

Many self-published authors will wear that as a badge that says I did it my way and I damn proud of that fact.

Personally, after being told my book was too long and would not even be read until I pared it down, I stepped off the trade path and self-published. I'm not interested in writing 80,000 word "novellas" that feel like every other new book on the market. Just my choice. You may chose to do that and I support your choice. I just don't feel like 300 pages is worth the reader's time, or mine. Just a personal choice.

Well written and well edited are wonderful, but not necessarily what sell books either. We can all cite examples like Fifty Shades that make us shake our heads in wonder as readers turn the authors into Best Sellers.

If there was truly a formula that worked all of the time, that's what we would all use. There is not, so we take the path that works for us.

Do all trade published books end up selling thousands of copies a month? Absolutely not. The percentage of successful trade published authors is quite low, though arguably higher than self-published authors. I don't think we have accurate data however to make that determination either.

It's all good.

Put out quality work and let the reader decide.

[Mellie]

A.K. wrote: "Don’t seek to limit yourselves..."

I'm not sure what the point of the OP was, but all I can say is that most writers these days don't limit themselves. The savvy writers know that waiting millennia for a trad deal is only one route. We all find the path that suits us and our novel - be it self publishing, small/medium presses or sitting at the end of the bridge waiting for someone to notice us.

[Christine]

R.F.G. wrote: "Good to know some people win the lotto...As for propaganda and inaccuracy, you're entitled to your opinion..."

Your comment was rude and ignorant. I'm neither an opportunist nor a liar. I deserve an apology.

My contract had nothing to do with luck. It was the result of talent, planning, and hard work. As for the comments about my publisher, they may not agree with your backwoods nonsense, but they are the absolute truth - no opinion involved.

[Timothy]

Christine wrote: "R.F.G. wrote: "As for the comments about my publisher, they may not agree with your backwoods nonsense,"

The pot calling the kettle black?

R.F.G. is not the only one who is rude and should apologize.

[Suzanne]

YOU ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING, RIGHT?
It's not whether the person is good enough. It all boils down to what is marketable, what sells and what doesn't. This varies with different publishers.

I am published with a small press publisher in print and e-format. I am also INDIE published, and very close to being Traditionally Published several times.

It is not that I'm not good enough, it is either, the story has too much suspense, and they want straight romance. Another traditional publisher said, the romance has to go; it's a suspense thriller etc.

I decided to self-publish some of my Outback Novels, and on Christmas Eve, I had another request from a Traditional Publisher on a manuscript I pitched in August. A surprise on Christmas Eve, yet I'm expecting it to return saying, we really can't market the suspense and sell well to our Romance readers, or vice versa. This same Traditional Publisher has stated that another novel I have written could be split, making a suspense novel and a romance novel. A lot of work, and I haven't decided as yet where to go with this manuscript.)

The point I'm trying to make is that it's not that if you're good enough, it's the wip you are writing/pitching. Is it marketable, have you sent it to the right publisher who publishes your type of work?

My ultimate goal is to be Traditional Published and I have had my eye on a particular publisher for a while now. Who knows, but in the mean time I will INDIE publish my work. Naturally, I hire an editor, and a professional cover artist. Many of my author friends are published the Traditional way, and some self-published. Their books are beautifully written.

With modern technology, authors have the upper hand in choosing whatever direction they like.

Okay, I'm going now.  I hope you all are enjoying your holiday break.

[Suzanne]

Sherri wrote: "I have books that are traditionally published and I recently dipped my toes into the self publishing waters. When done right, self publishing isn't that much different than publishing traditionally..."

I must agree, Sherri.

[Suzanne]

Micah wrote: "Rayanne wrote: "All I know is that I submitted inquiry letters to a few publishers and never heard a thing. That biz model doesn't work in any industry..."

And when publishers declare that they ac..."

Rayanne, it does pay to attend writer's conferences and meet up with publishing houses, editors and agents.

[Martyn]

I always get suspicious of an agenda when someone starts a thread, ending every post with a link to their own outside articles. When the thread is also started with a provocative title intended to get all kinds of naysayers and conflict seekers out of the woodwork, I get the itchy feeling that a thread is intended to promote the business of the thread starter.

Especially as the thread starter plasters the same 'provocative' thread across several groups.... Maybe I'm just too suspicious, but everyone can just click on A.K.'s profile and check his latest posts to find he's been spamming several groups with this thread, putting out the same tripe about 'angst' in order to provoke replies. Meanwhile the links are all intended to promote either himself or websites/blogs that he 'sponsored' in order to get his face and 'interview' plastered on the front page.

As to A.K.'s claims to have sold the copyright of 11 of the 13 stories/concepts he wrote and owned, but is now contractually forbidden to speak about, except to hint that they've been turned into movies... I get the same glazed over look when I hear Steven Seagal hint at having worked for the CIA...

Maybe I should invent a legend of my own. Just tell people I gave up my career as a freelance assassin in order to write about a freelance assassin, but sadly I signed certain documents that render me unable to divulge details about my murky past... You never know who might be reading this thread.... But if you don't believe me, believe the reviewers who think mere research cannot account for the verisimilitude of the killing methods in my books...

[A.K.]

Martyn V. (aka Baron Sang-Froid) wrote: "I always get suspicious of an agenda when someone starts a thread, ending every post with a link to their own outside articles. When the thread is also started with a provocative title intended to ..."

I'm a writer... a storyteller who after years of hard work and dedication in the craft can now call myself an author. And given what I had to endure in my journey, which is no different than what many writer's are going through at present; I only seek to give back in some way. Encouraging posts for struggling writers through the medium of social media is my way of motivating a wary bunch of talented wordsmiths into staying the course.

I tell of my history... of my journey as a point of fact. I don't feel the need to defend it. It is what it is, my friend.

AN UNLIKELY JOURNEY (FROM YESTERDAY TO TODAY) - http://thekuykendallpost.blogspot.com...

[[deleted user]]

Brushing up on the use of who/whom would be a great start toward establishing your credibility as a writer. Also, then/than choices might need a little help.

[Christine]

Martyn V. (aka Baron Sang-Froid) wrote: "I always get suspicious of an agenda when someone starts a thread, ending every post with a link to their own outside articles. When the thread is also started with a provocative title intended to ..."

I agree - seems a bit contrived. Spamming with a new twist ???

[A.K.]

Ken wrote: "Brushing up on the use of who/whom would be a great start toward establishing your credibility as a writer. Also, then/than choices might need a little help."

I've never claimed to be an editor, Ken, but thank you for the editorial critique and assistance, sir.

CREDIBILITY IS ESTABLISHED - http://www.thewriterofbooks.com/conta...

[A.K.]

Christine wrote: "I agree - seems a bit contrived. Spamming with a new twist ???"

Contrived? Spam? What the...

[Regina]

Wow. Martyn, you're right. At least five posts of the same exact thing, and every single post with a link.

Ugh.

[A.K.]

Regina wrote: "Wow. Martyn, you're right. At least five posts of the same exact thing, and every single post with a link."

Regina, look closer and tell me if my response to the initial reactions should be any different across the board? Again, I'm a writer... a storyteller whom after years of hard word and dedication in the craft can now call myself an author. And given what I had to endure in my journey, which is no different then what many writer's are going through at present; I only seek to give back in some way. Encouraging posts for struggling writers through the medium of social media is my way of motivating a wary bunch of talented wordsmiths into staying the course.

TAKE PART IN THE DEBATE - http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/search?...

[[deleted user]]

A.K. wrote: "

I've never claimed to be an editor..."

But you did claim to be a writer. I didn't mention your editing skills.

[A.K.]

Ken wrote: "A.K. wrote: "I didn't mention your editorial skills."

My apologies, Ken! Just what did you mean by writing: "Brushing up on the use of who/whom would be a great start toward establishing your credibility as a writer. Also, then/than choices might need a little help?"

[Regina]

Is that an excerpt from your blog, too? Because that is what you appear to be doing.

I don't even understand what you are asking. That first sentence makes no sense to me.

[A.K.]

Regina wrote: "I don't even understand what you are asking."

Sure you don't, Regina!

[Regina]

A.K. wrote: "Regina, look closer and tell me if my response to the initial reactions should be any different across the board?"

Okay. Anyone care to take a stab deciphering this? Because I've gotten more coherent stuff from Nigerian spam bots telling me some prince needs my help laundering money.

I really freaking hate spam. Truly.

[A.K.]

Regina wrote: "Okay. Anyone care to take a stab deciphering this? Because I've gotten more coherent stuff from Nigerian spam bots telling me some prince needs my help laundering money."

Seeking defenders for a non cause is quite telling, Regina!

[Regina]

Dude. Your responses on this thread are literally not only copy-pasted from your blog, but you've put the exact excerpts on several other threads, as if you're responding to posts when you really aren't. Are you THAT desperate to get people to read your stuff? At this point, I'm not even entirely sure you're a real person and not some bot.

So, anyways, not going to clarify the statement, I guess. That's okay. Just put up another link and call it a day.

[[deleted user]]

A.K. wrote: "Just what did you mean by writing: "Brushing up on the use of who/whom would be a great start toward establishing your credibility as a writer. Also, then/than choices might need a little help?..."

By that I meant: Brushing up on the use of who/whom would be a great start toward establishing your credibility as a writer. Also, then/than choices might need a little help.