tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post113086971985735352..comments2024-03-28T02:00:11.260-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: What I've Learned So FarJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131454222438385322005-11-08T06:50:00.000-06:002005-11-08T06:50:00.000-06:00Just a comment based on authors I'v talked to--sev...Just a comment based on authors I'v talked to--several more than one--who have responded that they no longer read manuscripts on advice of attorneys for fear of being sued. Are there ways to protect yourself? You could probably have them sign some sort of release--just like a Hollywood producer would.<BR/><BR/>And "he'll get on CNN..." That's nice. I know how well it worked for Al Franken and his publishers, but it's still an expensive, frightening hassle. Any lawsuit is. Luckily--knock wood--I've missed out on them. But not my in-laws, who were sued by one of the bridesmaid's at their daughter's wedding when she was running in heels, fell down and broke her leg. First she tried to sue the hall, then turned to my in-laws. It dragged on for years before ending up in court where she won nothing, but the lawyers did okay, didn't they?<BR/><BR/>What Joe does is admirable. I applaud it. God knows when I was coming up I could have really used that kind of help. But it's risky.<BR/><BR/>It's also Joe's decision. We weigh risks in everything we do. <BR/><BR/>MarkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131413982157069192005-11-07T19:39:00.000-06:002005-11-07T19:39:00.000-06:00The risk I mention is some unpublished author who ...The risk I mention is some unpublished author who shows you a manuscript who then sues you, frivolous or not, for plagiarism, and it may seem slight, but the more you sell the bigger a target you are, and even an unfounded lawsuit can take up a lot of time and lawyer fees. Paranoid? Well, don't ask an attorney. They won't think so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131403298562791892005-11-07T16:41:00.000-06:002005-11-07T16:41:00.000-06:00Re: volunteering. I voluteered to shoot video at...Re: volunteering. I voluteered to shoot video at next year's ThrillerFest and create a mini-documentary of events. While this will be difficult, I think it's a great ice breaker for me, a newcomer who won't have anything to promote (besides myself) until later in the year.<BR/><BR/>Volunteering may not help your career much, but it may help YOU.Rob Gregory Brownehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11952008139132652259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131321559792127752005-11-06T17:59:00.000-06:002005-11-06T17:59:00.000-06:00If I may quibble with one piece of your adice, it ...If I may quibble with one piece of your adice, it would be this one:<BR/><BR/><B>Don't listen to reviews.</B><BR/><BR/>I would amend that to something like "Take reviews with a grain of salt." (I'm speaking here of legitimate reviews from conscientious reviewers.) Don't let the great ones make you too happy or the awful ones make you too sad. But pay attention to the ones in the middle, as they might teach you something.<BR/><BR/>Keep in mind that it's only one person's opinion. But also keep in mind that, if the critic is someone who knows what they're talking about, that opinion can be a valuable one. They might have something worthwhile to offer you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131318271751219042005-11-06T17:04:00.000-06:002005-11-06T17:04:00.000-06:00Write a good book. While this is a no brainier, so...<I>Write a good book. While this is a no brainier, so many new writers blame everyone but themselves for their lack of publication credits. If you want to succeed, you have to learn the craft.</I><BR/><BR/><BR/>I've seen 3 critique groups destroyed by writers who didn't understand this.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02216365213708551330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131313007492115492005-11-06T15:36:00.000-06:002005-11-06T15:36:00.000-06:00Thanks for the good advice. some of those things, ...Thanks for the good advice. some of those things, I had never given a thought. I'm going to print this one and post it by my computer!Bonnie S. Calhounhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769607640246518804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131290186018337992005-11-06T09:16:00.000-06:002005-11-06T09:16:00.000-06:00Joe,Just a comment here regarding all your assista...Joe,<BR/>Just a comment here regarding all your assistance to unpublished authors. It's admirable and to be applauded. But at some point your attorney is going to suggest that you're putting yourself at risk by reading so many unpublished manuscripts. Sad, but true, and you should keep in mind that this is a risk you probably should not take. I know, I know... just ... be careful, dude.<BR/><BR/>Best,<BR/>Mark TerryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131275893488422642005-11-06T05:18:00.000-06:002005-11-06T05:18:00.000-06:00A few points I'd like to bring up:People who help ...A few points I'd like to bring up:<BR/><BR/>People who help others are good.<BR/><BR/>My advice is based on my experience. If everyone agreed with me, or if I bent every time someone had an opposing viewpoint, my advice would be worthless, and I don't believe it is.<BR/><BR/>My website and this blog are a way to give back to the writing community. Other writers give back by helping out at Bouchercon, or becoming treasurer for HWA. While my website and blog allow for me to do what I want, on my time, toward my own agenda, volunteering does not.<BR/><BR/>Everyone needs to do things that make them feel good about themselves. Becoming mired in organizational politics and spending a gazillion hours running a conference did not make me feel good--it made me feel unappreciated and used, and took time away from other more important things.<BR/><BR/>My experience. My opinion.<BR/><BR/>The bigger you get in the writing biz, the more people want from you. Last year I donated two books to fundraisers. This year I've donated ten. Last year I was asked to speak for free eight times. This year it was over thirty. Last year I had a few dozen new writers send me manuscripts to read. This year I had a few hundred.<BR/><BR/>I'm not complaining at all, but I do think that lines must be drawn. My line is at volunteering. Everyone needs to make their own choice.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131253841994557362005-11-05T23:10:00.000-06:002005-11-05T23:10:00.000-06:00"This blog is called A Newbie's Guide to Publishin..."This blog is called A Newbie's Guide to Publishing, not A Newbie's Guide to Living a Fulfilled and Enriched Life."<BR/><BR/>Fuck. And here I thought jakonrath.blogspot.com was one-stop shopping....<BR/><BR/>I could never stop volunteering so I'm glad you don't think it is a problem! I've been accused of being obsessed, but then again, the parents who originally formed JDRF years ago were known as <A HREF="http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2004/1213/246_print.html" REL="nofollow">the "crazies..."</A>Martha O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17915815056340085345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131236287854942772005-11-05T18:18:00.000-06:002005-11-05T18:18:00.000-06:00Hi Martha--I'm sure you can see the difference bet...Hi Martha--<BR/><BR/>I'm sure you can see the difference between volunteering for something that helps mankind, and becoming a board member for the Romance Writers of America.<BR/><BR/>So many new writers think they need to volunteer to network. They don't. They wind up stuck behind a sign-in desk, missing all the parties.<BR/><BR/>This blog is called A Newbie's Guide to Publishing, not A Newbie's Guide to Living a Fulfilled and Enriched Life.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131231560203283092005-11-05T16:59:00.000-06:002005-11-05T16:59:00.000-06:00Joe--In a blog full of terrific posts, this is per...Joe--<BR/><BR/>In a blog full of terrific posts, this is perhaps your best.<BR/><BR/>RE: Vacation. Take one. Now.<BR/><BR/>Take one with Maria and then take one with Maria and the kids.<BR/><BR/>It's more important than anything else, and you won't know just how important until you do it.<BR/><BR/>Re: volunteering. Somebody mentioned volunteering for diabetes-related causes. I think that's terrific.<BR/><BR/>I don't want to put words in Joe's mouth, but when he wrote not to volunteer, I took it to mean, "Don't volunteer in the writing world."<BR/><BR/>Volunteering for charities and non-profits keeps people grounded.<BR/><BR/>Volunteering for writing conventions seems like it won't help much for the old writing career, which will leave less time to volunteer for charities.<BR/><BR/>AdamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131209570279191502005-11-05T10:52:00.000-06:002005-11-05T10:52:00.000-06:00I volunteer a lot for diabetes related organizatio...I volunteer a lot for diabetes related organizations such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and I know it cuts into my writing time (as does diabetes management... GUH). But it is such an integral part of who I am (who I have to be), I just can't stop. I get a lot out of volunteering, raising money, raising awareness, etc, too. And it makes me feel not quite so helpless.<BR/><BR/>Nice post, Joe.Martha O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17915815056340085345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131205940786227332005-11-05T09:52:00.000-06:002005-11-05T09:52:00.000-06:00"What kind of volunteering are you referring to?" ..."What kind of volunteering are you referring to?" <BR/><BR/>I know a lot of writers who devote a lot of time to writing organizations and planning writing conventions.<BR/><BR/>I haven't seen any instances where this truly helps your career. But I've seen and experienced getting used, and it isn't a pleasant experience.<BR/><BR/>Your first job is to write. Your second job is to promote. If you want to help other writers, I suggest doing it on your own terms. Becoming a cog in someone else's machine can add much stress, but little benefit, to your career.<BR/><BR/>Bless the volunteers for all the work they do--but I won't do it again.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131204125273968592005-11-05T09:22:00.000-06:002005-11-05T09:22:00.000-06:00What kind of volunteering are you referring to?What kind of volunteering are you referring to?mapletree7https://www.blogger.com/profile/15261672903705693449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131200109041069912005-11-05T08:15:00.000-06:002005-11-05T08:15:00.000-06:00Nice job, Joe. And my pub date got moved up and lo...Nice job, Joe. And my pub date got moved up and locked in to Oct. 2006 for The Devil's Pitchfork, so I'm back thinking hard about all this stuff.<BR/><BR/>As for the vacation thing--Joe, you HAVE to do this. I understand, it's hard. But you're going to burn out. We went to Disney World this summer and I think I was lucky--I only checked my e-mail once--otherwise I didn't do anything work related. Thank God. I came back ready to jump back in. For your mental health and your family, take a week off and really take it off. It's not advice--it's an order!<BR/><BR/>Best,<BR/>Mark TerryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1131157454913802342005-11-04T20:24:00.000-06:002005-11-04T20:24:00.000-06:00Useful stuff. If I ever get nominated for an award...Useful stuff. If I ever get nominated for an award, though, I'm going to have a hell of a time staying away.Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023986850397045322noreply@blogger.com