Comments for Fiction Forum http://www.fictionforum.net where fiction lovers come to play Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:08:48 +0200 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Starting Your First Novel by Aisha http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/articles/starting-your-first-novel-112.html#comment-951 Aisha Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:08:48 +0000 http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/articles/starting-your-first-novel-112.html#comment-951 Thank you Mike. Last year this time I was asked to write a 5year time line to explain credit situations. This lead me to journal of my shortcomings in a humorous, tear jerking realistic way. I search online in popular search engines and in public libraries for how to articles. None that gave clear practical steps from initiation to writers' block and executable tools to prevent it. However your article assist a number of writers that have merge to frustration course. Thank You, you have assist in revive my author energy. A.Wal~ Thank you Mike. Last year this time I was asked to write a 5year time line to explain credit situations. This lead me to journal of my shortcomings in a humorous, tear jerking realistic way. I search online in popular search engines and in public libraries for how to articles. None that gave clear practical steps from initiation to writers’ block and executable tools to prevent it. However your article assist a number of writers that have merge to frustration course. Thank You, you have assist in revive my author energy.
A.Wal~

]]> Comment on The Cover Letter: Your Ticket In or The Kiss of Death? by MDN http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/articles/author-submission-cover-letter-your-ticket-in-or-the-kiss-of-death-121.html#comment-947 MDN Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:25:58 +0000 http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/articles/the-cover-letter-your-ticket-in-or-the-kiss-of-death-121.html#comment-947 I have been utilizing the internet to find Agents. What's interesting is that I researched one particular Agent and felt that my book genre (middle grade fiction) fell within his area of interest. Several different sites, even his own, listed an interest in middle grade fiction. When I sent a query letter I was rejected with a note that it was not his area of interest. Upon further scrutiny of his blog I found a small entry where he stated "I am not interested in middle grade fiction". I have encountered this on more than one occasion. Unless I call every Agent and verfiy area of interest I have to rely on what I find on the internet. A busy Agent is not going to field calls from a slush pile entrant. As for the Bio portion of the letter. I am sure Agents are not interested in my education, especially since it is not in the language arts. I have no previous writing credits. Therefore, I skip that portion. Any reccomedations for aspiring authors? I have been utilizing the internet to find Agents. What’s interesting is that I researched one particular Agent and felt that my book genre (middle grade fiction) fell within his area of interest. Several different sites, even his own, listed an interest in middle grade fiction. When I sent a query letter I was rejected with a note that it was not his area of interest.

Upon further scrutiny of his blog I found a small entry where he stated “I am not interested in middle grade fiction”. I have encountered this on more than one occasion.

Unless I call every Agent and verfiy area of interest I have to rely on what I find on the internet.

A busy Agent is not going to field calls from a slush pile entrant.

As for the Bio portion of the letter. I am sure Agents are not interested in my education, especially since it is not in the language arts.

I have no previous writing credits. Therefore, I skip that portion. Any reccomedations for aspiring authors?

]]> Comment on A Look Inside Publishing with Publish America by aardvark http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-937 aardvark Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:51:55 +0000 http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-937 I did a books on demand publishing and I was greatly disappointed in the company. The books was cheaply made and there were errors I don't believe were there when I read the proof. I will never go to another print on demand publisher again and I wouldn't recommend it to any writer. I did a books on demand publishing and I was greatly disappointed in the company. The books was cheaply made and there were errors I don’t believe were there when I read the proof. I will never go to another print on demand publisher again and I wouldn’t recommend it to any writer.

]]> Comment on A Look Inside Publishing with Publish America by Larry Cooperman http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-936 Larry Cooperman Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:40:25 +0000 http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-936 Hey Noah, They print on demand and don't keep books about, I'm pretty sure. Item 7 is a farce. They do absolutely nothing but probably include things like this, in the contract to lure. I believe it says "at their discretion." Item 11, well, they may send statements (I haven't received one this year), but accuracy is nil. Item 24, well, if it is electronic there are no plates. Larry and Willem will not accept any of these kinds of certified letters and are probably not bound by law to do so. They are a farcical endeavor and the joke is on us. Hey Noah,
They print on demand and don’t keep books about, I’m pretty sure.
Item 7 is a farce. They do absolutely nothing but probably include things like this, in the contract to lure. I believe it says “at their discretion.”
Item 11, well, they may send statements (I haven’t received one this year), but accuracy is nil.
Item 24, well, if it is electronic there are no plates.
Larry and Willem will not accept any of these kinds of certified letters and are probably not bound by law to do so.
They are a farcical endeavor and the joke is on us.

]]> Comment on A Look Inside Publishing with Publish America by Noah Dillion http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-935 Noah Dillion Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:02:36 +0000 http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-935 OMG! I'm sitting here reading this entire comment list and I would like to add my name to dis-satisfied authors. Larry? Item 3 of my contract reads:The publisher agrees to cause all copies of the said literary work to be printed as the market demands, and agrees, furthermore to cause the copies so printed to be bound, from time to time, in sufficient quantities to supply purchasers of the said literary work therewith. DDoes this imply that they print books and keep them on hand to send out when a book is purchased? Is there any way that we can find out "how many copies" have beeen sent out for review, as item 5 states that they do this, in item 7, they restate that they distribute for advertising and/or promotion purposes item 11 states that the publisher agres to kep and maintain true and accurate records relating to the distribution of copies... item 16 states...by the publisher in type... I was under the impression that these books were printed electronically, then the implication that they go to the trouble of "setting type" is a lie. item 24 states the following...the plates at their value for old metal, the engravings (to be used only in the work) at one-half their original cost, ..., and the sheet stock at cost of gathering, folding, sewing and...may dispose of the work, copyrights, plates, books, sheets and... Again I ask, what plates, what is being sewn?? I feel that they have made committments in the contract that they can not keep, especially since there is no sewing, and there are no plates. item 31 is interesting ..., receive an advance dollar amount of $1 (one), which will be charged against royalties due the author. As I have received two royalty checks, $2.80 in Feb 2009, and $17.97 in Aug 2009, neithher of these statements show a charge of $1 for advance payment, does this mean that they have breached that part of the contract?? I must admit that seeing my book in print was an exciting moment, but the reality of it all has become a nightmare. I wrote the book to help others who suffer from undiagnosed Narcolepsy, and now the reality that my book has been stolen and will never be read is depressing. I sent a certified letter, return receipt to Larry-boy and Willem on Oct 1st, but neither receipt has been returned. I'm in the process of composing a new book to replace it, and will self publish. If I do all the leg work, then I'm going to keep all the money. Author: A NARCOLEPTIC IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY ISBN 1-60563-294-5 OMG!
I’m sitting here reading this entire comment list and I would like to add my name to dis-satisfied authors.

Larry?
Item 3 of my contract reads:The publisher agrees to cause all copies of the said literary work to be printed as the market demands, and agrees, furthermore to cause the copies so printed to be bound, from time to time, in sufficient quantities to supply purchasers of the said literary work therewith.

DDoes this imply that they print books and keep them on hand to send out when a book is purchased?
Is there any way that we can find out “how many copies” have beeen sent out for review, as item 5 states that they do this,

in item 7, they restate that they distribute for advertising and/or promotion purposes

item 11 states that the publisher agres to kep and maintain true and accurate records relating to the distribution of copies…

item 16 states…by the publisher in type…

I was under the impression that these books were printed electronically, then the implication that they go to the trouble of “setting type” is a lie.

item 24 states the following…the plates at their value for old metal, the engravings (to be used only in the work) at one-half their original cost, …, and the sheet stock at cost of gathering, folding, sewing and…may dispose of the work, copyrights, plates, books, sheets and…

Again I ask, what plates, what is being sewn?? I feel that they have made committments in the contract that they can not keep, especially since there is no sewing, and there are no plates.

item 31 is interesting
…, receive an advance dollar amount of $1 (one), which will be charged against royalties due the author.

As I have received two royalty checks, $2.80 in Feb 2009, and $17.97 in Aug 2009, neithher of these statements show a charge of $1 for advance payment, does this mean that they have breached that part of the contract??

I must admit that seeing my book in print was an exciting moment, but the reality of it all has become a nightmare. I wrote the book to help others who suffer from undiagnosed Narcolepsy, and now the reality that my book has been stolen and will never be read is depressing.

I sent a certified letter, return receipt to Larry-boy and Willem on Oct 1st, but neither receipt has been returned.

I’m in the process of composing a new book to replace it, and will self publish. If I do all the leg work, then I’m going to keep all the money.

Author: A NARCOLEPTIC IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY
ISBN 1-60563-294-5

]]> Comment on A Look Inside Publishing with Publish America by Larry Cooperman http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-934 Larry Cooperman Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:23:59 +0000 http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-934 Hey MDN, I'm not being passionate about writing so much as passionate towards idiots. I was an idiot and no more. I see people here, Christian sheep, who have ruined America and much of the world with their primitive bicameral answering to hallucinations, going ahead and deciding to sign a contract with the devil in publishing. Hey, it seems that people have decided things regardless of who and what is said to them. And sure, I was convinced that my book was the cat's ass and it didn't matter who published it. That was a foolish. When my contract ends or when I rewrite the book, so completely that it warrants a new title, I will just continue to write. I want a publisher and will probably not go electronic. I am writing my second and third books. I have a career as a composer/performer of classical music and this is my first concern, writing is as much music to me as music. But how will people know what to read? I mean, in all of the plethora of readable things out there, what will assert itself if there is not a publisher doing that "traditional publishing" and placing a book in front of critics and the reading public? Do you trust what you read on the Internet? Self promoting is crass. I've been accused of doing that but it's like "death panel" statements, anyone can say them and I swear I don't want anyone to buy my book. I'm now getting a lot of junk emails saying "PUBLISH YOUR OWN BOOK." I trash them but it just goes to show you that one scam leads to another scam. This is arrogance, me saying stuff, Kim? This is the problem with Americans. Can't take someone speaking their mind in a manner that is not padded for preschoolers. Hey MDN,
I’m not being passionate about writing so much as passionate towards idiots. I was an idiot and no more. I see people here, Christian sheep, who have ruined America and much of the world with their primitive bicameral answering to hallucinations, going ahead and deciding to sign a contract with the devil in publishing. Hey, it seems that people have decided things regardless of who and what is said to them. And sure, I was convinced that my book was the cat’s ass and it didn’t matter who published it. That was a foolish.
When my contract ends or when I rewrite the book, so completely that it warrants a new title, I will just continue to write. I want a publisher and will probably not go electronic. I am writing my second and third books. I have a career as a composer/performer of classical music and this is my first concern, writing is as much music to me as music.
But how will people know what to read? I mean, in all of the plethora of readable things out there, what will assert itself if there is not a publisher doing that “traditional publishing” and placing a book in front of critics and the reading public? Do you trust what you read on the Internet? Self promoting is crass. I’ve been accused of doing that but it’s like “death panel” statements, anyone can say them and I swear I don’t want anyone to buy my book.
I’m now getting a lot of junk emails saying “PUBLISH YOUR OWN BOOK.” I trash them but it just goes to show you that one scam leads to another scam. This is arrogance, me saying stuff, Kim? This is the problem with Americans. Can’t take someone speaking their mind in a manner that is not padded for preschoolers.

]]> Comment on A Look Inside Publishing with Publish America by MDN http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-933 MDN Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:12:19 +0000 http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-933 I noticed the new look. I like it a lot! I found some decent writing websites and learned a lot. I also went to my local library and reviewed some decent books on how to write and how to get published. I was impatient before about getting my book published, but what I really want is a well written and entertaining book. So I totally understand Larry when he expresses his passion for writing. Larry, when your contract ends with PA what do you plan to do? I hear electronic publsihing is a big hit. I honestly think people are moving away from mainstream book stores and are looking for books they want to read, not what publishers want them to read. I noticed the new look. I like it a lot!

I found some decent writing websites and learned a lot.
I also went to my local library and reviewed some decent books on how to write and how to get published.
I was impatient before about getting my book published, but what I really want is a well written and entertaining book.
So I totally understand Larry when he expresses his passion for writing.
Larry, when your contract ends with PA what do you plan to do? I hear electronic publsihing is a big hit.
I honestly think people are moving away from mainstream book stores and are looking for books they want to read, not what
publishers want them to read.

]]> Comment on A Look Inside Publishing with Publish America by Larry Cooperman http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-932 Larry Cooperman Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:57:27 +0000 http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-932 Oh, sorry. Well, it makes me mad!!! This new look! It makes me angry and passionate! No, it is a nice texture, pleasing and easy on the eye balls. Subdued and distinguished looking, like handmade paper. Oh, sorry. Well, it makes me mad!!! This new look! It makes me angry and passionate! No, it is a nice texture, pleasing and easy on the eye balls. Subdued and distinguished looking, like handmade paper.

]]> Comment on A Look Inside Publishing with Publish America by James http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-931 James Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:53:35 +0000 http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-931 Hmmm... all this anger and not one of you has said whether you like the new look of the website ;-) Hmmm… all this anger and not one of you has said whether you like the new look of the website ;-)

]]> Comment on A Look Inside Publishing with Publish America by Larry Cooperman http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-930 Larry Cooperman Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:31:20 +0000 http://www.fictionforum.net/writers/toolbox/a-look-inside-publishing-with-publish-america-169.html#comment-930 Talk about arrogance, Kim? I haven't posted anything in over 2 months. What, do you go around with your Masters in Mental Health and make pronouncements on people's old posts or do you just want to rile me and get me to post as if I'm Pavlov's Dog? You are arrogant. And I am Pavlov's Dog as most of us are. Masters degree in Mental Health, really. How special! Talk about arrogance, Kim? I haven’t posted anything in over 2 months. What, do you go around with your Masters in Mental Health and make pronouncements on people’s old posts or do you just want to rile me and get me to post as if I’m Pavlov’s Dog? You are arrogant. And I am Pavlov’s Dog as most of us are. Masters degree in Mental Health, really. How special!

]]>