Comments on: Looking for the onramp at Philadelphia “Push To Publish” writer’s conference

By: Author Interview: Curtis Smith talks about publishing in Literary Journals « Philadelphia Stories Weblog

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:04:08 +0000

[...] throwing in a few choice comments about how much fun writing is. (To read more about his comments, click here ). One of the parts of writing that seemed to be working especially well for Curtis was his regular [...]

By: jerrywaxler

jerrywaxler — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:10:02 +0000

Hi Linda Joy, I appreciate the praise and look forward to swapping many more insights with you, synergizing with all that you offer on namw.org as well.

Hi Patty, Thanks for your detailed thoughts about the journey of a writer. We all need to stick together.

Thanks, Fran. It’s good to hear from you and thanks for the compliment.

Jerry

By: Patty Newbold

Patty Newbold — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:41:34 +0000

I continue to enjoy your blog, Jerry, and I really appreciate your well told story of this local event. Putting it on my calendar for 2010.

If I may add something I have picked up on while traveling this on ramp: you call editors “the gatekeepers who stand between me and my future readers.” This mindset, which we both shared in our writing group days, turns out to be a counterproductive one, in my opinion.

Editors, and the publishers they represent, have none of your readers. Readers are something the author, not the publisher, brings to the joint venture that is mainstream publishing.

Almost no one walks into a book store saying, “I really liked those two books edited by Janet Goldstein; I should get another.” And the only time readers pay any attention to publishers is when they have found two equally intriguing books and need just one.

Publishers are the gateway to distribution channels, not readers. They get stuff you have written into the hands of people already looking for your books. They provide cash flow to get it out to lots at once and absorb a lot of the financial risk for you.

Their editors evaluate the riskiness of the deal: (1) Do you have enough readers already waiting for this book? (2) Is the book fascinating enough for your readers (and any bookstore placements or reviews) to recruit other readers? If you’re lucky, editors will help with the second riskiness factor, but only after you have taken care of the first.

By: fran metzman

fran metzman — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:52:09 +0000

GOOD ARTICLE! fran metzman

By: Linda Joy Myers

Linda Joy Myers — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 05:14:35 +0000

Hi Jerry–I thought this essay was wonderful! You take us on a journey through the various publishing issues that writers face as we read, being specific about names, possible problems and solutions, and in a voice I so enjoy reading.
I particularly loved this brilliant conclusion and decision:
After a few years, I had my fill of smart despair, and decided I’d rather be happy. I diligently studied the art of finding something pleasurable in almost every situation.

Your blog is something I always look forward to reading!
Thanks for the inspiration. Linda Joy