From the Editor:
It's Your Dream
By Lazette Gifford
Copyright © 2009 by Lazette Gifford, All Rights Reserved
The world of publishing is slowly changing, but it hasn't made such a
great huge leap yet as it sometimes seems. There are new opportunities
opened up by the Internet, but they have not closed -- or changed -- the
traditional paths. This is something all authors should consider before
deciding to do something that is not traditional -- like posting
something on an open site because you see it done in various places on
the Internet.
If you are interested in traditional publishing (and not everyone is),
then you still have to play by traditional publishing rules. If your
dream is to see a book on a shelf in a big bookstore, then work towards
that goal and do it wisely. If traditional publishing is not your
dream, then experiment a bit with the opportunities out there. If you
have multiple manuscripts, you can do some of both.
This may no longer be a problem in a few more years. For all we know,
the traditional book publishers could go bankrupt next year and we'll
all be scrambling for whatever readers are willing to pay us directly.
However, at the moment, if you want a chance at big house, traditional
publication, then be wise and play it safe. Protect your material and
don't decide to post on an open site in the mistaken idea that all the
publishers believe that's fine.
They don't. Harper Collins (The British office at least, I believe) has
started Anthonomy, and it may work, but it is still too early to tell.
What you do have to remember, though, is that the idea is to post on
their site if you want a chance at publication. Not to post elsewhere,
not to post all over the Internet, etc. Post there and only there if
you want to give it a try.
If you are going to post on the Internet, make certain that the material
reflects well on you -- and that the place where you post also reflects
well on the material. If there is a site with many stories up, make
certain they are well-written and that your material is a good-fit. If
the others are often of poor quality or badly presented, or if your
story is far outside what they normally show, then you aren't going to
get the readers you want.
Work with the changes in the Internet, but do it wisely and keep in mind
what it is that you really want. If your dream is to see your book on
shelves at the local stores, then work toward that goal and don't get
sidetracked or lead astray by people who don't want what you do.
This is your dream, and if
you are serious about it, you wont mind working harder. Weigh your
options before you leap in. And no matter what, always remember to
have fun!
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