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Message |
    
Frank P. Baron
Awareness Member
Post Number:
44
Registered: 10-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 03, 2004 - 10:16 am: |   |
I agree that all writers should be proud of themselves for completing a book-length manuscript. It takes an enormous amount of work and self-discipline. I disagree though, with the poster's implication that "all authors are created equal" (my paraphrase). Publish America simply does not set the bar high enough to remotely equate itself with Random House or any other truly "traditional" publishing company. Nor can, as a group, its authors compare themselves to truly traditonally-published authors.
The poster, jokingly, made a reference to doctors. I'd like to carry his analogy a little further. There are schools of dubious merit, usually off-shore based, that will issue diplomas in virtually any field in exchange for a fee. Some even require that the "graduate" pass a laughably-easy exam. Would a "doctor" possessing such a degree be welcome to hobnob at the next AMA convention? Would you let him operate on your child?
Please don't misunderstand me. I'm well aware that PA published some fine books by some very good writers, many of whom habituate this board. Those books would very likely have found their way into print via a truly traditional house. The authors who have moved on from PA to find homes for their other books have proven that. But I also believe that those books and their authors represent quite a small fraction of PA's 10,000 (and growing) stable.
The term "author," like "doctor" has always carried a certain cachet and many obviously covet it. Doctors earn their titles by many years of hardship, study, and by passing rigorous examinations. Ditto with a truly traditionally-published author.
If the folks at PA want to consider themselves peers of every other author on every shelf of every bookstore and library, it's fine by me. But it doesn't mean I have to consider them all in that same light.
www.frankbaron.com |
Bill Nelson
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
785
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 03, 2004 - 10:36 am: | |
Frank,
You are, of course, 100% correct.
However, in the broad sense, I like the guy's attitude. The quality of work is always another issue.
I simply embrace positive thinking.
bn |
Sheila Schmidt
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
571
Registered: 05-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 03, 2004 - 10:54 am: | |
You embrace anything that doesn't knock the fire out of you or that doesn't get up and run away.
Gosh, what is wrong with me lately? Must be the holiday season!  |
Pacwriter
Unity Member
Post Number:
1764
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 03, 2004 - 10:55 am: | |
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Yet beauty is judged by more than the two eyes staring back in the mirror.
Line up any dozen beautiful women, each will claim to be the most beautiful but the three judges at the foot of the runway make the decision.
Our work, as writers, is not judged by what we think but what the reading public thinks.
Yes, by having a book published a person can say "I am an author". But, it is another step up the ladder to be able to say, "I am a professional writer." That "professional" distinction comes not by self-proclamation but by the paycheck and recognition of industry people.
I am a "novice" writer. I've been paid for my work and recognized by magazine editors as a writer. But, I am not a "professional" writer in that I do not make my living as a writer nor could I at this point in my pursuit of the writing life. Perhaps, in my estimation, I'm halfway there, hence "novice".
Using John Robinson as an example: in my estimation, he has moved a peg up the ladder to the "professional" level by having a recognized publisher agree to publish more than one of his books. He is also an invited guest to speak at a well-known writer's conference.
Publishers have a ranking system something like: first-time author; mid list; top and cream-of-the-crop. Mid-list authors earn a poverty living as a writer. hate to admit it, but mid-list looks good to me at the moment.
So yes, any person who writes a book that makes it into publication is an author. But in writing and publishing, that is the low rung on the ladder. Let's not kid ourselves.
http://www.pacwriter.netfirms.com/ |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
3604
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: 
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 03, 2004 - 11:10 am: | |
Argile Stox is an interesting man with an even more interesting story. I read his book for review, and was thoroughly amazed.
He wrote the book when he was homeless. He had to go to internet cafe's or diners to plug in so he could write or send his manuscript. He also lived in VA hospital domiciliaries while writing his book and could only work on it an hour or so at a time when his turn came at the computer.
He did not know sometimes where his next meal, next bed, next anything was coming from, but he stuck with it until reaching his goal - which was to have his book published.
It is a very good, sometimes harrowing and often humorous book by the way. He does not waste a minute wallowing in self pity, just keeps working towards his goals of being independent under a roof he paid for, eating food he purchased and fixed for himself.
Argile is right. He is every bit as much a published author as Stephen King or any other writer.
Thanks for sharing that info, PAC.
Laurel Johnson
Author: The Grass Dance
The Alley of Wishes
Color of Laughter, Color of Tears
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Bill Nelson
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
788
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 03, 2004 - 11:53 am: | |
Sheila,
No one has run away yet!
Well, there was that incident at the wedding, but she had been drinking and
well, it just got crazy when her husband showed up...
bn |
tracy sutterer
Hunger Member
Post Number:
97
Registered: 03-2002
Rating:
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 03, 2004 - 11:56 am: | |
Laurel,
You beat me to it! How right you are! Argile's book is wonderful and he is truly an inspiration. I feel more than just honored to know him. I have always loved his posts. He is living proof that if you have a dream you can accomplish it no matter your present circumstances. A positive outlook can overcome practically anything. Argile inspires me to be better than I am. I really like that man.
He is also correct by saying that we are published authors in every sense. I'm very proud of my books and all the work I put into creating them. I know my author friends feel the same.
Tracy |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
3605
Registered: 01-2002
Rating:
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 03, 2004 - 12:13 pm: | |
My apologies to Bill. I thanked Perry for posting the info about Argile instead of Bill.
Copying and pasting from another board may not be entirely kosher, but I was ever so happy to see Argile Stox used as a shining example. He really is an amazing man - literate, intelligent, and sensible - and if you want to read a book that isnot a clone of anything else you've read, consider buying Argile's book. It's called, Computer - End Program, and is quite an inspiring adventure.
My three published books are below. All three are published by different publishers, but yes, they are all books. All published. Except for a few million bucks, Stephen King has nothing on me.
Laurel Johnson
Author: The Grass Dance
The Alley of Wishes
Color of Laughter, Color of Tears
|
C. E. Winterland
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1798
Registered: 06-2002
Rating:
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 03, 2004 - 12:24 pm: | |
Well, Mr. Stox is quite upset about this thread, and he has contacted me to request that it be removed.
I'm removing the first post here, the copied material, and please let's all remember that it is rude to steal someone's posts from another location and paste it anywhere else without their permission.
Mr. Stox, please forgive the intrusion, and I hope that this resolution puts you at ease.
C. E. Winterland
Mindsight Moderator |
Bill Nelson
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
789
Registered: 10-2002
Rating:
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 03, 2004 - 12:35 pm: | |
Well, my apologies to Argile.
It was, as stated twice, meant as a compliment.
Seems a little up tight to me, but he is correct, I didn't
ask him for permission.
bn |
C. E. Winterland
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1799
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 08:39 am: | |
I received another message from Mr. Stox, where he has asked me to thank everyone here for their positive comments.
Just letting y'all know.
CEW
Mindsight Moderator |
Fred Dungan
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
739
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 12:12 pm: | |
Although I'm no fan of Publish America, I bristle when I read posts about how wonderful Random House and other so-called traditional publishers are when compared with POD. Random House is well known for giving anyone a contract who is currently experiencing their 15 minutes of fame regardless of whether or not they have anything purposeful to write, the most current example of which is Ken Jennings, a contestant on Jeoprady.
http://www.fdungan.com/bushwhacked.htm |
Pacwriter
Unity Member
Post Number:
1766
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 02:57 pm: | |
there other day I was in a "Dollar" store where everything is one buck. Al Gore's book was there. I guess Mr. Jennings will soon join him.
If selling junk books such as these earn Random House profits to invest in other writers, I won't complain
http://www.pacwriter.netfirms.com/ |
poker casino391 (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 193.158.12.170
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 02:32 pm: | |
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