Comments on: Write it Forward

By: Study Hall || David Eric Tomlinson (author)

Study Hall || David Eric Tomlinson (author) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:49:35 +0000

[...] Write It Forward: how to spread good karma around the writing world [...]

By: Iain Broome

Iain Broome — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:58:35 +0000

What a really nice idea. I shall go away and do at least one of those things now.

By: Michele

Michele — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 07:45:42 +0000

I have to admit I’m getting depressed with watching the publishing industry implode. Rampant layoffs, imprints closing, magazines folding, it’s almost too much to bear.

I feel the same way….

I’m really sad about the fate of Plenty and Hallmark magazines. And, I was working on querying both of them. :-(

So, it’s nice to find positive ways to “write it forward”. Love the 10 tips!

:-)
Michele

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 20:24:37 +0000

If people spent less time with their technology (let’s start with facebook, twitter and the Internet in general; ipods, itunes, mobile phones, blackberry, email and move on to various other forms of ‘cannot live without’, modern pollutants — gyms, tesco/walmart/amazon/ebay, blogs & blogs & blogs, pornography, DVD extras, celebrity gossip, reality television, commercials, self help, chat shows, oh my god, I feel sick…) and more time with a good book and a comfy chair, it would definitely improve matters :-)

By: J. M. Strother

J. M. Strother — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:34:15 +0000

I just want to break out in a round of Kumbaya. ;)

Nice tips, Maria. Hopefully we’re all doing many of them already. I really do like what Linda is doing on her website with the debut authors and small press. These kinds of things are long and well remembered by the recipient of the act. Plus they are good for the soul.

I really did enjoy Nathan’s positive blog week. I am in complete agreement with him – ebooks will ultimately be a VERY good thing for the author. Might not be so great for publishers, distributors, and book sellers, but will be a boon for the folks that actually put pen to paper (at least figuratively).
~jon

By: Mary E. Ulrich

Mary E. Ulrich — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 12:27:08 +0000

Linda, I love your ideas. What a great way to help new authors, local bookstores….

There is research that says that the way to feel less depressed, less overwhelmed by life is to take positive action. We have little control over the stock market, the greed of the banks, the war…. but we can take individual actions of empowerment for ourselves and others. I recently chaired a project with my writer’s group to send boxes of writing and school supplies to the soldiers in Afganistan. On the news, when I see the scroll of the names of soldiers who died this week, I still feel sad. I know I can’t stop the war, but I can believe that there are at least a couple soldiers and children who were helped by this small action.

Maria, I think Linda’s post would make a great blog article. How do we empower ourselves and take little actions that can help?

By: Linda

Linda — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 12:25:19 +0000

Sorry for the double post, Maria. My computer froze on the first one and I didn’t think it went through. Guess I made my point!

By: Linda

Linda — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:01:54 +0000

Great post, Maria. I do a lot of the above because it’s good karma and fun besides.

I think one of the best things we can do as prepubbed and pubbed writers is to buy books. But even better (mho) is to buy the books of debut authors. The first book is critical to a writer’s career and the big houses often do not put that much marketing muscle behind newbie authors. One of my New Year’s resolutions was to buy a book by a DEBUT AUTHOR, preferably from a SMALL PRESS and (when possible) from an INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE or the press itself. Then, around the middle of the month I post a review of the book on my blog (http://leftbrainwrite.blogspot.com), along with links to the author, the press, other reviews, and how to purchase.

Two reviews in, and the authors appreciate the bit of sunshine, as do the presses. I’m happy to get a little exposure to writers whose work I’ve stumbled upon and respect and exposure to the presses I’d love to publish with some day. And it’s fun! Peace, Linda

By: Linda

Linda — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 03:05:02 +0000

Thanks for a great post, Maria. I do a lot of the above already – it’s all good karma, and fun besides. And while I think it’s great to buy books (I do, and a lot of them), I’ve decided to put my money where I’d like others to put theirs if ever I become a published novelist – the debut author. It’s getting that first book out that is the hardest and most critical in a writer’s career, and frankly, the big houses rarely put the marketing muscle behind the newbies that they do the tried and trues.

So this is my small contribution: Once a month I buy a book from a DEBUT AUTHOR who has preferably published with a SMALL PRESS and (if possible) I purchase the book from an INDEPENDENT BOOK STORE (or Powell’s or some other site that focuses on small presses and indy bookstores). Then, I read the book and around the middle of the month I review it on my blog http://leftbrainwrite.blogspot.com

Two reviews in, third one up in a week or so. The authors appreciate my reviews, as do the presses, and I have (selfishly) discovered a new writer and another outlet that might, someday, decide to gamble on me.

I challenge all of you pre-pubbed and recently published writers to champion emerging writers. Peace, Linda

By: disorderly

disorderly — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 01:54:10 +0000

Well, Maria, you’ve done your good deed for the week! What an inspiring post. It’s just what I needed at the end of the week from hell — waaay better than happy hour. (I work in the publishing industry, too.) Thank you! :-)