I'm not bashing, but . . .

Don't be sorry, I am thankful.

Since this is suppose to be a writers' forum, I welcome anyone with knowledge to share.

So do I. If anyone has anything NEW to say on this subject--I am all EARS.

Alice, a writers' forum has many members in different stages of writing. Some are beginners and have no clue about the publishing world.

If someone posts something you don't want to read, it's very simple to ignore that post. Others may want to learn. If writers start censoring what can be posted, what good is a forum?

I'm not personally interested in hearing about PA because I've been there, done that. But others might want to know. So I may read or comment, but that's about it. I wouldn't have the audacity to tell others what or what not to post.

Ann C. C wrote:

The message board truncated my signature. Writer Beware's website is:
and I can reached via email at: Attn: Ann Crispin
beware.sfwa.org

Thanks!

-Ann C. Crispin

Hi Ann,

The forumotion software does not allow links to be added to guests' post. If you join, then you can add a signature that will show on all your posts.

MEL...GLAD TO SEE YOU HERE!!

Brenda ,

I believe in free speech rights--I merely told Ann there was no need to apologize for ending this thread. I don't think she ended it--it simply ran its course.

Thank you for sharing your opinions with me.

I do not tell people what to post and not to post.
Speak as long as you wish on anything and give your opinions--I will do the same.

I hear you, Alice. I am not interested in PA at all, and consider them a crooked scam for the unwary, myself.

However, there are WAY many PA threads on this board. By people with actual, direct experience.

So is there really all that much interest or rationale for a non-registered poster who is NOT a PA author but offers information on the experience to those who already have it? Or in my case, and I assume others, aren't interested anyway?

Odd.

lin,

Odd--you are right it is downright odd, creepy and furthermore scary.

First there is the resurrection of a tired topic, then an apology for ending it.

They are dying to discuss this and nothing else. Let them enjoy.
I have been subjected to their presentations before.

I will say they are interesting--just a bit repetitive--that is their right.

So, how about them Seahawks?

:-)

I would love to hear about what Ann has written, as well as some positive ideas, agents, publishers, etc. I think we are a savvy group here and have gone beyond the PA discussion. I love the other discussions, and would welcome you becoming involved, Ann. I know those who constantly warn about PA have other interests, ideas, etc., and love to hear them when they mention them, but the PA discussions become like broken records that most here have gone beyond or never were involved or interested in.

Right now I'm waiting for word from a publisher recommended by Brenda, and in the meantime had a great discussion about writing with a woman at the Eagle Watching Days pancake breakfast in our community this morning. She used to write for the local paper but is now working on children's books. And another man who lost his job is into photography and had some absolutely gorgeous photos of our area displayed. He lightens them up and then prints them on canvas and they look like paintings full of life and light.

I love creativity and art and writing and music.

Love, Carol

deleted by merri

I am finding this trying to find a publisher journey quite interesting and rewarding. Rejections have been personal letters and quite encouraging and I have decided the need is to find a niche, the right fit. I also have remembered successes from the distant past, like actually having a publisher want to publish the co-written program manual for the life threatening illness program. My co-writer wanted to keep it self-published to have more control. I would have gone for being officially published, but co-writing requires compromises.

Negative discussions get me no where.

Right now I am overwhelmed by how healthy I am, how well I can walk when a few months ago I didn't even think I'd be alive now. So. . . perhaps I will also find a publisher. After being alive with all the medical problems I've had, finding a publisher sounds kind of easy.

It is all in how one perceives anything.

Love, Carol

I recommend to anyone looking for publishers to check out the Preditors and Editors Poll (unless it's gone). There were many publishers there of all sizes and niche specialties, and their books and authors were listed. I thought it rather a gold mine of resources.

What Seahawks? Are more birds getting into airplane engines?

I'm not sure Dick, but this morning my husband said, "Now I'm wondering if the time the engine quit on my flight to Boston it was because I hit a bird."

Carol

What Seahawks? Are more birds getting into airplane engines?

Dunno. But three of the four teams left in the NFL playoffs are birds.

Ravens, Cardinals, and Eagles. The Steelers are the token humans.

Sorry some of you folks feel so threatened by my presence here. As the Chair of Writer Beware, it's my volunteer job to gather information, documentation, and anecdotes on PublishAmerica...which I could characterize as the Madoff of vanity publishing capers.

I'm really no threat to anyone. I'm an elderly writer who spends a lot of time working to help writers. Writer Beware was just mentioned this past week in Publisher's Lunch.

We are consistently placed on Writers Digest's 100 Best websites for writers.

There is a lot of misinformation spread on the PA author boards about commercial publishing. I made that offer thinking that the folks here might be interested in getting the straight dope on various aspects of commercial publishing. It's clear that no such info is needed or desired.

At any rate, no harm, no foul.

Goodbye.

-Ann C. Crispin

Ann,
anyone feeling threatened by someone else shows insecurity.
Truth should never be considered a threat.
I think what most are tired of hearing are the repetitious things that now sound like a broken record.
A website where someone can go to learn more may be helpful.

A message board has many participants. Every person does not respond to every post. Therefore, one or two postings that agree might not reflect the opinion of everyone else, whether negative or positive.

I'm in the box for information, camaraderie, practice writing, critiques, name recognition, and a lot of reasons. Information, however, is high on the list.

I find a little disagreement sometimes sharpens the wits and helps writers search for just the right descriptive word. Some subjects get a little worn with repetition, but a reader can pass by those since they likely differ for each person.

The owner of the message board and their monitors make the final decisions regarding the postings. If a participant doesn't fit with those choices, there are options on both parts.

Marie, your story is mine. Caution is now my byword. I'm still making mistakes however. I think I am too forthright in expressing my thoughts since the internet picks up so much. A stroke of the key and Google has it.......

D.K.

Those are my feelings exactly. I want to avoid a bad publisher and I want to avoid discussions about my past publisher as they are not useful to me.

I am looking for all those you mention, and google usually provides them.

And then I can bring those questions here to my author friends. I have read many of the books of the authors here and think I'm somewhat savvy about what is good writing. These authors can really write. I love the subjects they have written about, their writing style and expertise in their subjects.

Years ago I knew nothing about publishing. Of course it was back in the olden times and the printing press had just been invented. (Not really, but publishing was quite different when I first tried to get something published.)

Publishing is changing as we speak and that is what interests me.

Carol

Quote :

Sorry some of you folks feel so threatened by my presence here.

Threatened?

Anybody here feel threatened?

Nope.

What Sheila said.

Carol