tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464977109229359349.post6972357935764785508..comments2023-10-21T03:54:12.029-04:00Comments on A Gift Universe: Bad news and good newsSheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10853868724554947854noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464977109229359349.post-86137745624659291052013-01-31T17:00:39.334-05:002013-01-31T17:00:39.334-05:00Thanks for all the advice!Thanks for all the advice!Sheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10853868724554947854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464977109229359349.post-25406826694366918152013-01-31T14:57:07.245-05:002013-01-31T14:57:07.245-05:00Oh, I voted "hard copy." I am old-fashi...Oh, I voted "hard copy." I am old-fashioned about books. I don't have (or want) an e-reader. Otherwise, I'd have voted "any format."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464977109229359349.post-34276011190377839142013-01-30T18:17:48.185-05:002013-01-30T18:17:48.185-05:00First, I suggest that you have someone who will be...First, I suggest that you have someone who will be frank with you edit your work - not just for grammar and spelling, but for continuity and flow, overuse of specific words, believability ...etc.<br /><br />I'd only suggest self-publishing after that and if you don't want to try to get published elsewhere. <br /><br />With Pied Piper, BEFORE I had my friend edit it, I'd submitted it so many places, and had it "held for consideration" so many times, that re-submitting the edited (better) version seemed unprofessional.<br /><br />I like duotrope for finding venues, but it is no longer free:<br />https://duotrope.com/index.aspx<br /><br />I'd suggest you get a recent version of "Writer's Market" from the library and start there. If you want a copy you can mark up, you can usually get the previous year's version for a few bucks. I like Alibris for used book shopping:<br />http://www.alibris.com/<br /><br />Please keep us posted! Whatever path you chose, I'm in line to buy a copy!<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464977109229359349.post-84382940673605822292013-01-27T22:13:31.913-05:002013-01-27T22:13:31.913-05:00Momsomniac, I wish I knew. I would really like to...Momsomniac, I wish I knew. I would really like to publish it "for real," but don't even know where to start. I guess the days of reading publishers' addresses off the spines of books and sending them unsolicited manuscripts are over -- but I don't know where one finds agents, or whether my book is good enough. And of course there's the fear of rejection that makes me want to leave it on my hard drive forever (appropriately backed up of course).<br /><br />The self-publishing option is tempting, because all I really want is people to read it, not to quit my day job. (Like I could.) The downside is that I don't know if anyone would buy it. And then there's the question of ebook vs. print. I don't know if anyone wants to read my book enough to pay $15 for a hard copy, but I personally can't abide ebooks and don't have a reader of my own -- which is why I haven't read your book yet, though I'm fascinated by the premise. I guess at some point I'll figure out how to buy it on John's kindle and borrow it long enough to read it.<br /><br />Ooh, ooh! Blog readers! People reading these comments! Get Momsomniac's novella, The Pied Piper of St. May. It has a really pretty cover and the premise is quite intriguing!<br /><br />Do you have any advice about publishing?Sheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10853868724554947854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464977109229359349.post-42102107020199293052013-01-25T18:44:37.903-05:002013-01-25T18:44:37.903-05:00Yay!
Are ou looking for an agent for Novel 1 - or...Yay!<br /><br />Are ou looking for an agent for Novel 1 - or can I buy it soon?<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464977109229359349.post-4864821944230755262013-01-16T14:43:26.340-05:002013-01-16T14:43:26.340-05:00Enbrethiel, I have been reading the bits of your F...Enbrethiel, I have been reading the bits of your FF on your blog ... though since I don't know the original story, I didn't feel qualified to comment. ;) The writing is good though.<br /><br />Meredith, I think I can send you novel #1 if you've got time to read it. It IS uplifting in the end.<br /><br />Re: the article -- wow, yes, exactly. We ARE going to be that kind of mother.Sheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10853868724554947854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464977109229359349.post-64426011771338240592013-01-15T05:12:08.653-05:002013-01-15T05:12:08.653-05:00+JMJ+
I hadn't known that about The Idiot! 8...+JMJ+ <br /><br />I hadn't known that about <i>The Idiot</i>! 8-0 <br /><br />Well, that's one Dostoevsky I can feel less guilt about putting off. =PEnbrethilielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03414765854670926854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464977109229359349.post-27275480614092238332013-01-14T20:21:59.710-05:002013-01-14T20:21:59.710-05:00Oh, Sheila! :-( Hard drives are heartbreakers, a...Oh, Sheila! :-( Hard drives are heartbreakers, aren't they? I'm glad you were able to salvage so much of your fiction, though. Novel 1 sounds quite intriguing - I would like to have a good cry over a novel after finishing The Idiot, which was unspeakably annoying! (Dostoevsky, seriously - your idea of a saint is a codependent ninny who rants about how evil the Catholic Church is?)<br /><br />To return to computers: my brother installed some kind of wizard software that automatically backs up my hard drive once a month - if you can have your computer back itself up on a home server, that's probably the best (or you can find a file storage site). <br /><br />I think it's terrific that your near-death experience kick started your writing again! Did you see this essay? <br /><br />http://www.vidaweb.org/a-curious-thing-motherhood-confidence-and-getting-the-work-done<br /><br />We will TOTALLY be those Catholic Writer Moms. :-)Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02275790985990503744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464977109229359349.post-22005239818900146832013-01-09T04:26:26.209-05:002013-01-09T04:26:26.209-05:00+JMJ+
This is excellent news! I've lost stuf...+JMJ+ <br /><br />This is excellent news! I've lost stuff before, too: every writer has. And starting from scratch feels a little like rebuilding your home after a tornado leveled it. Half your mind is a little in denial that all that hard work of building and decorating and maintaining a perfectly good home has "gone with the wind;" and the other half is ready to soldier on through whatever it takes. (Or am I just talking about myself again? =P) <br /><br />Last November, I started writing fiction again for the first time in years. Well, <i>Fan</i> Fiction. =P Which seems to be considered the lowest form of fiction there is. But it was really great to be writing again. I had forgotten the feeling! So I'm very happy for you now. =) <br /><br />By the way, this post reminds me a little of Flirty's recent post about not wanting to give up her writing when she becomes a mother. Maybe you two will be part of a new wave of Catholic writers who are also mothers and <i>not</i> feeling guilty about it. ;-) Enbrethilielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03414765854670926854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2464977109229359349.post-75431006698896652852013-01-08T15:57:00.356-05:002013-01-08T15:57:00.356-05:00You've inspired me to back up my hard drive, w...You've inspired me to back up my hard drive, with its numerous photo directories. I also backed up the book I started writing about my career (largely unfinished, but have 60some pages written). Thanks for the kick in the butt I needed. All I had to do was think of losing my thoughts, files and pictures.Sugar Coaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15501553009099127331noreply@blogger.com