Markets

[Jozanny]

I am grumpy today. My squat spastic body is like a blubber pudding with benign cysts lurking like Halloween corn candy surprises, and most of what I've been doing these last few weeks is fiddling with economic panic attacks and consuming MSM and NPR like dragon fire and making pit stops in this begrudgingly tolerant community with its nearly 52,000 users. (Is it not more by now?)

I hate boards as I am fond of them which has more to do with using posts like Japanese lamp shades rather than anything truly irksome about software or technology, but make no mistake, this (http://www.abilitymaine.org/breath/Sept08/jmaronelli.html) is what it means to be a failed writer. Dealing with the damn editor was like using pliers on wisdom teeth, but I curtailed my temper, for money. Even when he spelled my last name wrong I curtailed my temper for money, but if you take it from the voice of experience, sometimes you need the courage to let yourself get pissed and walk away.

There are markets to kill for, but there are markets like this which are best left to themselves, and so help me nothing so juvenile will ever see my byline again.

What else can I teach you?

[DickZ]

Well, Jozanny, I'm sure sorry to hear of your current agony. But based on a quick perusal of your attached story, I expect this painful situation to be only temporary. I'll give the story the attention it deserves later, but I wanted to get this note off first.

You already know better than anybody else how talented a writer you are, but maybe for the moment, it would help to hear it from others.

Now I'm getting back into Dimmer Beacons.

[Jozanny]

Well, Jozanny, I'm sure sorry to hear of your current agony. But based on a quick perusal of your attached story, I expect this painful situation to be only temporary. I'll give the story the attention it deserves later, but I wanted to get this note off first.

You already know better than anybody else how talented a writer you are, but maybe for the moment, it would help to hear it from others.

Now I'm getting back into Dimmer Beacons.

Promotion is part of the business Dick. Writers need to learn the how to promote yourself aspect too, although I have done it in the forum facetiously, and none too seriously. If I had collections, over and above too many bylines, that would serve me better.

My point, though, as a basic truism, is that some markets can actually do a reputation damage, and for me, Breath & Shadow is one and I should have walked away.

I knew better, but wanted my paycheck. It wasn't worth what it cost and won't happen again. The poor guy holding the project together is blind, and okay, I am a cripple too, but I am not afraid of self-correction, and even using proofreaders.

A very good market for the aspiring like yourself is Byline Magazine, btw. For writers who want to break in it's a good teaching and publishing tool.

[Jozanny]

I thought I was going food shopping soon, but since it turns out that I am not due to the anticipation of mild Meet The Press hoopla, let me tell you why literary journals won't really help you much in your writing career.

1. No one reads them, with a few prime exceptions.
2. They die. (http://www.poetrycemetery.com/archives.htm) And I am in no way affliated to what I've linked.

Then what to do, if you are an aspiring author? Ah!:p I will get to that primer in a bit, by and by, since this is my cranky time...:yawnb:

Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I usually skim past my WM emails, but they have started a network for freelance writers @ Writers Market, so I won't be around LN as frequently, if I find the appropriate supports there; maybe it will not be as academic-oriented as PW, but if there is one pro in 5 that is good enough for me.

Take care kids!

[Jozanny]

This one (http://www.storyscapejournal.com/index.html) looks friendly enough, and for most of you here at your writing level, the editors of Storyscape would probably be less than intimidating. I am considering going back to the *contributor's copy* route for a short period of time, for some pieces, because I have been out of the running, in a semi-death mute state:D, since winter 06, though I penetrated some things in these three years, and the economy is killing writers who earn anything anyway.

[DickZ]

It's good to see you back on the forum, Jozanny. I hope things are going better for you now.

And I hope you'll post some new writing, too.