MAJOR PUBLISHERS

Abe F. March wrote:

My first morning back in Europe and the first thread I read is about killing the hopes/desires of others. That is disgusting.

Abe, perhaps you read something into my posts that wasn't there. Find one sentence where I told someone to stop dreaming. Find one sentence where I attempted to kill someones hopes or desires. What is disgusting is when a seemingly intelligent person can't comprehend what has been written.

I advocate accepting the reality of the publishing world, nothing more, nothing less. The reality is that thousands will try, ones will make it, and without a backup plan there is a good chance that you will be very dissapointed if you are one of the thousands.

Is it ever difficult getting a word in here!!!

Dick is right, as usual. It can be done.

I am not into killing dreams. Ask my kids. They always have dreams. Most have pursued them. Some have accomplished them. Some not, and not from not trying.

But Abe, Brenda's and Domenic's dreams can't be everyone's dreams. We can be writers and not reach for a traditional publisher. I sometimes get the impression that without that stamp of approval or at least the attempt, I'm not worthy as a writer, that without even trying I'm selling myself short. But I'm making choices and interests and talent are limited. We've spoken before how if we follow the requested format it might work. I don't write in the genres getting published these days. I'm going to write where my heart and passion is and that isn't probably traditionally publishable.

And I don't for one minute believe it can be done by anyone if they just learn all the writing skills.

I do not know why Brenda doesn't just pursue her dream. Is it important we cheer her on? If so, we have done that over and over. Is it important we join her? Is it she knows she will meet those who disagree and she is trying to be tough with us so she can be tough enough to push on with the dream?

I do not know, but no one is killing dreams, we just all have different dreams, different goals in life.

Carol

Abe F. March wrote:

My first morning back in Europe and the first thread I read is about killing the hopes/desires of others. That is disgusting.
To dream, even though the dream may never be realized, is what life is about. Having a goal is the driving force that gets us up in the morning and gives our life a purpose. Sharing that dream with others is usually a mistake. Most people, especially friends, don't want others to exceed their own level, regardless of the niceties they put forth. The people who they can share their dream with, and get support, are those who have lived the dream.

Perhaps I'm still suffering from jet lag, but seeing Alice's avitar with the face of Dick Stodghill is confusing.

Abe, I am glad you are safely home. Read the first page of Dick's birthday thread and you will find the answer.

To Dick and to Shelagh.

You're both correct that some will make it. You are not correct in thinking that hard work and determination will get the job done. It may help, but I have posted time after time that many people have a very dedicated work eithic, many of them have talent, and many of them do the very things that Dick has said he would do, and yet they never get the deal. I'm not so sure why that is so hard to understand. Maybe you guys haven't seen thousands beat their heads against the stone wall that is publishing, but I have, and while you may not want to accept it, the fact is that most will finally go back home. A backup plan means you don't go home defeated, you go back to regroup and try something else.

Dick, once again, you know I think you are an excellent writer, and you may have actually been one of those who succeeded. But you know that it might not have happened. Regardless of how many times you say you would have just kept trying, kept working until it did, the reality is that it might not have. You know that. Shelagh knows it. Anybody with an ounce of common sense knows it. Most people do not sign that major deal, and you can't deny the statistics.

I don't envy those that make it, quite the opposite. I'd really love to see everyone on this board become a best selling author. But it doesn't matter how much you want it, it doesn't matter how hard you work, and it doesn't matter what gems of wisdom your spouse gives you that keeps you going, most of you (us) don't have a great big chance of signing that major contract. But if one of us does, it will serve to keep the hopes of all the rest alive. And that's exactly how it works.

I am not a dream killer either. I am a reality seeker.

I underwent hours of testing and was found to be not one iota deluded or demented.

I wish to maintain that status.

My dream was that Lane beat cancer--I get rid of PD.

I have to think these were more worthwhile dreams than fame or fortune for myself...

Carol Troestler wrote:

I do not know why Brenda doesn't just pursue her dream. Is it important we cheer her on? If so, we have done that over and over.

Not any more! I'm tired of being a cheerleader. I could pull up a dozen threads where I have said that I really do hope that Brenda makes it. Why do I need to keep saying this? Isn't once enough? Why are we constantly reminded that Brenda wants to find a NY publisher? Should I start a NEBAT (Never ending Brenda's aspirations thread)? Isn't one boring NEPAT thread enough?

I sincerely hope Brenda makes it. I hope she signs a major publishing contract and goes on to be the next hottest writer in the world. I will not be envious, but I might contact her to see if she will recommend me to her agent. Of course, she won't, but that's the way the game is played.

I hope Shelagh and Domenic and Dick and Carol and Abe also sign huge lucrative contracts and become rich and famous.

Personally, I think all you have to do is dream hard enough, and it will all come true. Add to the dream 23 hours a day of hard work, study, practice, and determination and I'm reasonably sure all of you will find success. Want it, want it, want it, and it will happen.

And when it does, please recommend me to your agent, your publisher, and all of your readers.

I am so sick of it that I sincerely hope no one, anywhere makes it.

That's why I wrote the one book I wrote. The entire purpose was to destroy hope. It has served its purpose not at all.

Not one person has said it discouraged them--Aw Phooey!

I have a dream --a new bookless world. I hope all of the snobby major publishers bite the dust.

We already have too many books. I hope the bookstores go belly up.

This dream will be put on hold until 2012.

Then I will activate it.
Go for it-- do it.
You all have three years--if you live that long .

Anyone who wants to accuse me of a crime--be my guest I will commit it.

I'd like one of those contracts, too! In the meantime, I have a great publisher; and the Romance of My Dreams Anthology I in which I have a story, "The Ice Storm," is now available in Kindle at Amazon and print at B&N. It was just released and is filling in the stores. It's a nice escape book with some very talented authors.

Regardless of the publisher, I still think it takes courage to submit manuscripts and face rejection, time after time. I respect each person on this forum who, like me, is compelled to write and share their words with others who might have an interest.

DK,

Congratulations!! I'll check it out.

Good post.

Carol

cc

Dom, the only one here I pity is you.

All the famous people you quoted were dead by the time they were your age, Domenic.

I have two nephews with real vision. Their dream is of the perfect college.

They were each given a check for $1000.00 for High School graduation. They wasted the money visiting out of state schools,starting and stopping school. I don't think they will ever go now.

"A bird in hand is worth two in a bush."

Domenic,

Why manufacture our own hard tmes? Most of us have enough of them and wouldn't even be here if we didn' t know how to spit back.

Don...you are a loser. You talk like a loser, you think like a loser, and you surround yourself with losers. As to your ability to put words to paper...save a tree.

It must be that these harsh words in several places are for the purpose of creating controversy as it appears those threads with controversy have a greater following than others. Surely people who know so little about each other wouldn't make general statements about a person's character unless an underlying purpose existed.

Dk,
good post.

Don, I appreciate your good wishes but I have never wanted to write a novel, bestseller or otherwise. I don't even like 99 percent of novels. I'm a short story man and I've gotten everything out of life that I ever wanted and a helluva lot more that I didn't. Everyone, or nearly everyone, has a goal and there are millions of various goals. The only one I have right now is to make it to lunchtime.
Keep writing, you're good at it. Like your stories about the old days.

domenic Pappalardo wrote:

Shelagh wrote:

All the famous people you quoted were dead by the time they were your age, Domenic.

But, I'm not.

Dick thinks that you can do it, that you have the ability. So do you. I just get tired of hearing it.

Dom, I'm not like Dick and Shelagh. I don't think you have a chance of making it. Keep studying, dreaming, working hard, and most of all practicing. You need a lot of that.

Not that you mean nothing to me, but the fact is that I wouldn't pee on your head if your hair was on fire.

You should really think of looking for a new hobby. Bungee jumping into a volcano comes to mind, but only if you forget to fasten the cord at the top.

Yes,

We are tired of hearing over and over and over again what losers we are because we don't have better publishers.

It is tantaount to gong to someone's house and saying , 'Why don't you have a better, bigger house?

My house is twice this size I guess you are lazy."

cc

E. Don,

I hate to differ with you, but I will. I would give Domenic higher odds than Brenda.

Why? He has interesting word combinations.

Domenic

Don's writing does not stink.

What is with you?