Friday, October 26, 2007

Here's to All Those Who Support Writers

I've been away or otherwise preoccupied with family for the past ten days. Here's part of a post from my old blog, circa July 2006. I've updated it heavily. Hope you enjoy it!

*****

Being a writer is not one of the easier careers to have. Getting published is damned difficult, requiring lots of work, a boatload of patience, persistence, and a fair dollop of luck.

But working with a writer--as well as living with a writer--can also be damned difficult.

So, here's to the editors, the agents, and the administrative staff who work with writers, helping them publish their works, and to the friends and family, who help the writer in more personal ways.

I live with a husband and a grown child. I know I'm not always the easiest person to get along with. I'm certain some of the things I celebrate--or feel sad about--don't make as much sense to them as they do to me. Yet, my family continues to support me, and celebrates with me when I want to celebrate, as do my friends.

I'm here to say, having people who are in your corner makes a huge difference in a writer's life. I know a number of writers whose families aren't supportive, mostly women whose husbands don't support (or who actively belittle) their career. Not having people in your corner is like trying to swim for shore while weighted down with baggage: it can be done if you try hard enough, but it's also possible you'll sink.

I currently work with two epublishers, and I have nothing but praise for them. (For the record, it's Amber Quill Press's Amber Heat and Loose-id.) These folks catch my mistakes and make me look good. And I am thoroughly grateful! (I admit I don't understand writers who get mad at editors who catch mistakes and make corrections.)

These two publishers stand in marked contrast with the publisher who filed for bankruptcy, screwing hundreds of writers they had under contract, me included. I'm grateful I only have one book in play, as opposed to those who have as many as a dozen books in limbo. As the case is in process, I can't really say much more about it. But I can say this:

There's a special rung in Hell for people like the ones who owned the business in question. Not only did they lie and spend money that wasn't theirs, but by going under the way they did, they managed to cast a pall over epublishers in general.

So I'm going to publicly praise Loose-id for their stated intent to purchase all the author contracts, giving all rights back to all authors. They are offering to spend money they don't have to spend, to help authors that may not even write for them. They don't need to buy contracts to pad their list of published books--they have tons of great writers in their stable already. Now, for various reasons, the purchase may not come to pass--but their intent is worthy of much praise.

Thank you, thank you, Loose-id!

And, while I'm at it, thank you, family, friends, and publishers I work with. Together, we create a little bit of magic that entertains and pleases those who read.

I'm asking you to do the following: if you know a writer, contact them today, to let them know you care. If you're the writer, make sure those around you realize how much you appreciate their support.

Barrie

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