[NEohioPAL] Why NOT...learn to Write a Book!

[TONY BROWN]

I'm just trying to imagine the firestorm that would have been kicked up
on this forum had someone said:

"Before spending this money, consider that one of the actor's shows was
self-produced and the other by a small, regionally oriented theater. My
guess is, you won't find anything in this show that you can't find in
You Tube videos on the 'net, or in the five hundred so shows like that
have been produced off-Broadway."

More generally: I find it increasingly depressing to read how easily
sniping comes to many of the correspondents on this forum (and, for that
matter, on cleveland.com), sniping that seems to grow shriller when it
comes from an anonymous source hiding behind a screen name. Commentary
is so much more valid and valuable when it is informed and delivered in
a responsible, constructive manner by someone unafraid to OWN it.

Andiamo,

t.
 

>>> Jamey Mixson <memakefilm at yahoo.com> 7/22/2009 10:44 PM >>>
I lived in LA for some time where I had the honor to meet some little
known author (I hope you know who I'm talking about) named...Michael
Crichton. Because I had been cast on ER as an extra a few times I
figured I had the authority to ask him "hey Mike...how do you write a
book". In response very shortly I was told..."put your pen on a piece of
paper"
Mister Crichton stepped on. I was crushed but the reality was the he
had just given me the secret to an age old question. His words...gems
baby!
 
I've since written a cpl books, that's not as important as what I want
to share now. I published my first novel by developing my own imprint.
People immediately think of self publishing as a down grade. I
traditionally published my work..no vanity press, no retail repackaging.
Mine is the name on the spine. How did I do that: I learned. I read, I
researched, I kicked butt on a major level. Doesn't immediately matter
who I am, well it does but more so that if any of you can garner
valuable insight from a writers' workshop have at it..those that
dont....DON'T! And that's the beauty of contemporay writing and
literature...you have the right (and often wrong) to do it your way.
 
www.literaryrockstar.com (sorry site looks icky...revamping for new
novel release soon)
20,000 copies sold of a novel you've never heard of folx! You can get
it for just $10 American dollars though lol 20K times $10 in 24
months...you do the math
 
www.myspace.com/1jamey 
Jamey Mixson @ Facebook
hit me up...I may be able and inclined to help/ support/ encourage your
journey.
 
 
Regards,
The Jamey
--- On Wed, 7/22/09, DeeNCR at aol.com <DeeNCR at aol.com> wrote:


From: DeeNCR at aol.com <DeeNCR at aol.com>
Subject: Re: [NEohioPAL] What it Takes to Write a Book
To: conspicuouschick at gmail.com, neohiopal at listserve.com 
Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 8:22 PM





Dear Conspicuous, and fellow writers:
 
While I avidly support any means for writers to get together and learn
more about their craft (and always encourage my students to form writers
groups whenever possible), I must say I'm surprised by this email from a
fellow writer in this wonderfully supportive writing community.
 
After more than 20 years in this business, I find this response
regarding my publishing credentials hurtful, insulting -  and
undeservingly -disrespectful. 
 
To those prone to guessing . . . serious writers work hard to earn our
credibility. It's wholly unfair for one person to question it without
knowing the facts. (And may I add first that yes, anytime you can gain
knowledge free from other writers, it's a wonderful opportunity that all
writers should take advantage of. I do not set the price for my classes,
I just make darn sure it's worth every penny. That's my job, and I take
it seriously.)
 
Fact one:
University Presses (of which there are hundreds across the U. S. ) are
well-respected in the publishing world. These "small" publishers have
high expectations and no one should thumb their nose at the many quality
books that they publish.
 
Two:
The reference to my "self-published " book confirms the kind of
mentality I feared when I was contemplating the decision for my second
book. I was all too aware of the bad rap (and yes, in some cases
deservedly so) of self-publishing. But this book was very personal to
me, and I wanted it done my way, so after weighing many options, I chose
a POD because I felt I could not compromise in how it would be
presented. I wanted complete control over this one.
 
Three:
Just completed my third book - which will be published by a large,
traditional, national publishing company - and based on my experiences,
now having worked with three very different publishing companies, I feel
I can offer much information, inspiration and genuine helpful insights
into this difficult world, for anyone wishing for that.
 
Four:
Marketing 101 - If you do not let people know what's available, they
will not attend. NEohioPal is a great resource for this. I was simply
letting people know about this class. Again, just doing my job.
 
Don't feel it's worth it? Please feel free to pass. But please do not
insult a veteran writer by "guessing."
You may keep someone from missing out on something that may indeed be
just what they were looking for.
Not interested, simply hit "Delete."
 
Thank you for your time. And respect. 
 
Sincerely,
Deanna Adams
 
In a message dated 7/22/2009 4:16:35 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
conspicuouschick at gmail.com writes:

Before spending this money, consider that one of the author's books is
self-published and the other by a small, regionally oriented, university
press. My guess is, you won't find anything in this class that you can't
find in articles on the 'net, or in the five hundred 'how-to' books
already on the market.
 
Also, there is a free writing group meeting in Akron twice a month full
of published and non-published writers that provide very helpful
critiques, advice and support for each other. I'm sure there are more -
explore them first. 


On Wed, Jul 22, 2009 at 6:56 AM, <DeeNCR at aol.com> wrote:
 






NEW CLASS! AT THE LIT
 
What it Takes to Write a Book 

11, 18, 25 August,  6 - 8 p.m. (3 week class)
Instructor: Deanna Adams
Always wanted to write a book? Have an idea that just won’t go away?
Whether you want to write a nonfiction book, novel or memoir, this
three-week class will help you get started. From expanding your idea, to
organizing chapters, to finding a publisher, author Deanna Adams will
answer your questions and get you ready to write that book! Tips will
include scheduling time to work on your book, deciding who your audience
is, and building your book from proposal to finished manuscript. Only
requirement – you must have a concrete book idea. Bring a two-page
sample of the idea, or another sample of your writing to class.
What It Takes to Write A Book is offered Tuesdays at The LIT: 2570
Superior Ave, Suite 203. Please contact The Lit at 1-216.421.0403)
$95 for members
$120 for nonmembers
Also see www.deannaadams.com 
 



What's for dinner tonight? Find quick and easy dinner ideas for any
occasion.
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-- 
Everything you wanted to know about being a living donor but were
afraid to ask: www.LivingDonor101.com 

Be Beautiful without Going Broke at Conspicuous Chicks Corner: 
www.conspicuouschick.com 


______________________________________
NEohioPAL is SELF-SERVE. If you need to unsubscribe, change from digest
to one-at-a-time delivery or vice-versa, go on hiatus while out of town,
switch from mime to plain text or vice-versa, etc. check out the FAQS at
http://www.fredsternfeld.com.
______________________________________
please consider a voluntary contribution to support Neohiopal -
http://www.fredsternfeld.com/faqs.htm#support 
______________________________________
Disclaimer: The facts and/or opinions expressed in this message are
solely those of the person in the 'from' or 'reply-to' header. The fact
that this message is posted should in no way be taken as an endorsement
by the administrator of this list. Subscribers should perform due
diligence for all goods, services and activities promoted on NEohioPAL.
_____________________________________
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In a message dated 7/22/2009 4:16:35 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
conspicuouschick at gmail.com writes:

Before spending this money, consider that one of the author's books is
self-published and the other by a small, regionally oriented, university
press. My guess is, you won't find anything in this class that you can't
find in articles on the 'net, or in the five hundred 'how-to' books
already on the market.
 
Also, there is a free writing group meeting in Akron twice a month full
of published and non-published writers that provide very helpful
critiques, advice and support for each other. I'm sure there are more -
explore them first. 


On Wed, Jul 22, 2009 at 6:56 AM, <DeeNCR at aol.com> wrote:




NEW CLASS! AT THE LIT
 
What it Takes to Write a Book 

11, 18, 25 August,  6 - 8 p.m. (3 week class)
Instructor: Deanna Adams
Always wanted to write a book? Have an idea that just won’t go away?
Whether you want to write a nonfiction book, novel or memoir, this
three-week class will help you get started. From expanding your idea, to
organizing chapters, to finding a publisher, author Deanna Adams will
answer your questions and get you ready to write that book! Tips will
include scheduling time to work on your book, deciding who your audience
is, and building your book from proposal to finished manuscript. Only
requirement – you must have a concrete book idea. Bring a two-page
sample of the idea, or another sample of your writing to class.
What It Takes to Write A Book is offered Tuesdays at The LIT: 2570
Superior Ave, Suite 203. Please contact The Lit at 1-216.421.0403)
$95 for members
$120 for nonmembers
Also see www.deannaadams.com 
 



What's for dinner tonight? Find quick and easy dinner ideas for any
occasion.
______________________________________
NEohioPAL is SELF-SERVE. If you need to unsubscribe, change from digest
to one-at-a-time delivery or vice-versa, go on hiatus while out of town,
switch from mime to plain text or vice-versa, etc. check out the FAQS at
http://www.fredsternfeld.com.
______________________________________
please consider a voluntary contribution to support Neohiopal -
http://www.fredsternfeld.com/faqs.htm#support 
______________________________________
Disclaimer: The facts and/or opinions expressed in this message are
solely those of the person in the 'from' or 'reply-to' header. The fact
that this message is posted should in no way be taken as an endorsement
by the administrator of this list. Subscribers should perform due
diligence for all goods, services and activities promoted on NEohioPAL.
_____________________________________
NEohioPAL mailing list
http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal 





-- 
Everything you wanted to know about being a living donor but were
afraid to ask: www.LivingDonor101.com 

Be Beautiful without Going Broke at Conspicuous Chicks Corner: 
www.conspicuouschick.com 


______________________________________
NEohioPAL is SELF-SERVE. If you need to unsubscribe, change from digest
to one-at-a-time delivery or vice-versa, go on hiatus while out of town,
switch from mime to plain text or vice-versa, etc. check out the FAQS at
http://www.fredsternfeld.com.
______________________________________
please consider a voluntary contribution to support Neohiopal -
http://www.fredsternfeld.com/faqs.htm#support 
______________________________________
Disclaimer: The facts and/or opinions expressed in this message are
solely those of the person in the 'from' or 'reply-to' header. The fact
that this message is posted should in no way be taken as an endorsement
by the administrator of this list. Subscribers should perform due
diligence for all goods, services and activities promoted on NEohioPAL.
_____________________________________
NEohioPAL mailing list
http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal 




What's for dinner tonight? Find quick and easy dinner ideas for any
occasion.
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______________________________________
NEohioPAL is SELF-SERVE. If you need to unsubscribe, change from digest
to one-at-a-time delivery or vice-versa, go on hiatus while out of town,
switch from mime to plain text or vice-versa, etc. check out the FAQS at
http://www.fredsternfeld.com.
______________________________________
please consider a voluntary contribution to support Neohiopal -
http://www.fredsternfeld.com/faqs.htm#support 
______________________________________
Disclaimer: The facts and/or opinions expressed in this message are
solely those of the person in the 'from' or 'reply-to' header. The fact
that this message is posted should in no way be taken as an endorsement
by the administrator of this list. Subscribers should perform due
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