|
Post by Diane Merkel on Nov 27, 2005 9:55:36 GMT -6
I know that several of you are actively writing. I hope everyone will use this board as a place to share ideas and information. For example, which magazines pay for articles? How do you market a self-published book?
I will start with the ones I know the best. The LBHA Newsletter does not pay anything, but authors and artists can receive five free copies of the issue in which their work appears. (I often forget to send the copies, so a nudge to do so is appreciated.) Submissions should be e-mailed to me.
Research Review: The Journal of the Little Big Horn Associates pays $100 per article and also provides its authors with five copies of the issue. Submissions should be sent to its editor who doesn't currently have e-mail. If you would like his mailing address, you can e-mail me.
Diane
|
|
|
Post by Tricia on Nov 27, 2005 11:33:31 GMT -6
Diane--
Great idea for a thread! Thanks for giving the writers among us a place to discuss the joys and problems that come when writing about GAC and LBH. I've been back in the writing mode for a little over two years and it's been nothing but fun. I am involved in a local critique group--it's a fantastic way to receive feedback and encouragement. Though critique groups require some thick skin on the part of the writer, I recommend it for everyone. As we speak, my group is on page 487 of my m/s; they probably have another 150-200 pages to go. We meet every two weeks, and our submissions have to be ten pages long.
If you can't get into a local group, check out the internet. And if that doesn't work, read your work aloud. It's a great way to catch mistakes, double words--and should you read another word in place of what you have in the m/s, replace it!
As for self-publishing, I know several folks who have done it. Although works self-published works of fiction are not quite acceptable (unless you have killer sales) in the NYC book world, quite the opposite is true for non-fiction. Custer provides a great opportunity for niche books and sales. From what I have learned, it seems POD (print on demand) is the wave of the future, self-publishing wise. It requires much less investment on the writer's behalf and you make those royalities right away. And money is always a good thing--especially if you are able to make some doing something you love. The adage, "I get paid for doing this?" has never rung so true.
Perhaps Scout and John Mackintosh can contribute what their experiences have been. The road to publishing can be difficult at times, but mighty fun--as well as rewarding.
Regards, Leyton McLean
|
|
|
Post by redwhiteman on Nov 27, 2005 14:43:15 GMT -6
For many of us, self-publishing is the way to go. Without your name being a "brandname" (i.e. well-known) it can be impossible to get anyone to give you your first big break. I guess persistence is the key, but self-publishing certainly adds a new and encouraging aspect for new writers to be heard. Check out this self-publishing link: www.cafepress.com/cp/info/sell/books.aspx
|
|
|
Post by Scout on Nov 27, 2005 17:31:02 GMT -6
I have illustrated for several magazines over the last year...everything from baseball to Billy the Kid and have self-published a small booklet of the sole survivors claimants of the LBH. The FIRST RULE is...you have to submit it! I have met numerous people through the years who say they write or are artists and want there stuff in print but never submit anything. You have to submit it! SECOND RULE is.....don't be afraid of rejections. It happens to everyone.
Recently saw a bio of Stephen King...after numerous rejections he wrote 'Carrie' and then threw the manuscript in the garbage can! His wife pulled it out and made him mail in in...the rest is history. There are a lot of talented people on this board....so write articles, do art and submit them to the LBHA newsletter, Research Review or the Greasy Grass publications! It's not that hard, is it Diane? Sandy Barnard is the editor of the GG and a great guy to boot. I'm sure he would love to read some of your stuff. Same with the RR and Diane is, of course, the editor of the LBHA newsletter, with help from our own John Mackintosh, so you already know them. Go for it....plus, it is a lot of fun! I'm sure a lot of these people would be glad to give anyone pointers.
|
|
|
Post by alfuso on Nov 28, 2005 8:11:07 GMT -6
I attempted a twice yearly niche magazine back in 1995-97. "Nomad & Standby" to give those writer folks among us a place to put that hard to place little bits about Custer and his times. I liked articles but really loved jokes, cartoons, humor. Had some nice stuff for 5 issues. But it just all faded away for lack of interest even though I offered a small payment.
Too many members are passive receivers. They want someone else to do all the work and then they *might* pay for it.
After 5 years of writing Op Ed pieces for the Battlefield ADVOCATE, I kinda burned out.
alfuso
|
|
|
Post by alfuso on Nov 28, 2005 9:23:04 GMT -6
Rice
your book was once 800 pages. You've pared it a lot. Or is this the part two you spoke of?
alfuso
|
|
|
Post by Scout on Nov 28, 2005 9:51:51 GMT -6
alfuso,
Yea, I tried the same thing years ago and found out you have to take-in more money than you are spending-out. What a concept. Back then we were at the mercy of printing companies, but today it's quite easy to self publish at home. Print only the number of copies you need and in color. God bless Bill Gates. By the way, I have often thought that the Custer publications needed more jokes and humour in them to lighten them up a bit. I did a caricature of Dr. Lord several years ago and editor Sandy Barnard recieved complaints that the piece was in bad taste!
|
|
|
Post by Treasuredude on Nov 28, 2005 10:30:01 GMT -6
As we speak, my group is on page 487 of my m/s; they probably have another 150-200 pages to go. We meet every two weeks, and our submissions have to be ten pages long. Wow. With a book of that length and ten pages every two weeks, it will take your book club 3 years to read it.
|
|
|
Post by alfuso on Nov 29, 2005 4:27:50 GMT -6
scout
trouble with the LBHA sometimes is they have no sense of humor. Custer himself liked to cut out cartoons of the day and put in his own caption/word balloons.
|
|
|
Post by Diane Merkel on Nov 29, 2005 7:54:26 GMT -6
I have been sent some great cartoons -- in fact, I received one just a week ago that was cut from a newspaper -- but there's a little thorn called copyright law that prevents my duplicating them in the Newsletter without permission.
If you want humor in the LBHA Newsletter -- write and submit something humorous!
|
|
|
Post by Tricia on Nov 29, 2005 10:49:11 GMT -6
As we speak, my group is on page 487 of my m/s; they probably have another 150-200 pages to go. We meet every two weeks, and our submissions have to be ten pages long. Wow. With a book of that length and ten pages every two weeks, it will take your book club 3 years to read it. TD-- It might seem to you that it is a long time, but really, it seems like yesterday to me. It's only when I look at the calendar when the weeks and months start adding up. But when you realise that most publishers (except really, really small houses) will offer no editor to the first time author, and your first contract will be for something less than $5000.00, a critique group may end up being your only source to receive line edits and narrative ideas. And it's free. In other words, I've got more time than money. Regards, Leyton McLean
|
|
|
Post by fred on Dec 8, 2005 10:52:23 GMT -6
Y'all--
First of all, this is another great thread & it keeps me away from "West." Leyton, I'm not sure I really agree w/ you about "self-publishing." There's sort of a stigma attached to people who self-publish. I don't know precisely how far that goes or if anyone really cares-- sort of like a week in the can for speeding tickets-- does it really matter? I don't know. And you may be absolutely correct regarding non-fiction vs. fiction. To me, it's rather like a last resort, however.
My wife is the CEO of a publishing company in NY & she refuses to allow me to self-publish anything. I think even Stephen King had some sort of idea about that & then decided not to. Is that the same thing?
It's a shame "alfuso's" go at a magazine didn't fly. I would have loved to have seen it, but unfortunately, I'm a Johnny-come-lately to all of this & even the LBHA is a shocking revelation to me. I do like both LBHA publications & the CBHMA's "Greasy Grass" is also quite good. The "Research Review" to me, is the gold plate standard, however, & if anyone knows a better publication, I'd certainly like to know about it.
I'd also be willing to help anyone w/ anything involving the LBH... I don't know what I could do, but if opinions count, I have plenty. If brains count, I have some. If experience counts... hmmm!
Best wishes, Fred.
|
|
|
Post by Tricia on Dec 8, 2005 14:38:25 GMT -6
Fred--
Thanks for contributing to the topic--your opinion is always welcome. Ever since I got back into writing almost three years ago, I've been spending a lot of time at conferences and hanging around with a great group of authors in the northwest corner of my state. Like you, I look at self-publishing as a method of last resort; I'll do it only if there is no other option. But from my connections, I'm learning that self-publishing, whether printing in bulk and then selling through or using POD, is evolving into less and less of the white elephant it used to be ... as long as the writing and story is good.
Of course, there are those who are desperate to do anything to get their name in print. But the vast majority of us fall into the situation below:
New York is where you want to get published--but the odds are so against you. There are only five major publishing houses left and what is it? One out of 10,000 unsolicited queries are answered and from that number maybe another 1 out of 10,000 actually get published. A publisher (as you know) is looking for the bottom line--what'll sell. Unfortunately, Custer isn't a particularly "hot" subject in non-fiction and historical fiction, for the most part, is as dead as a doornail (unless you have something really unusual). Often quality isn't all that important; it's the product. Is it the next "Da Vinci Code?" The next Rush Limbaugh? How about James McPherson or Jeff Shaara? The odds are so difficult, it can be really hard for a writer to accept. And for the most part, some beautiful writing is overlooked for the Next Big Thing.
A friend of mine who has published something like 60 books said "it's perserverence over ability." Only now is his publisher giving him a crack to switch from genre to mainstream. Another friend of mine who has never had a problem selling his novellas has happily gone to POD--he no longer wants to hassle with publishers' formulae: hook the reader by the end of 250 words, don't query a m/s more than 100,000 words, and don't bother with a mainstream title unless you're already established.
Also, POD means an immediate return for the writer. You make money off of that first book! You'll make as much money as you are willing to put into it. But still, you owe it to the reader to give them a great manuscript ...
Regards, Leyton McLean
|
|
|
Post by fred on Dec 8, 2005 15:37:01 GMT -6
Leyton--
You've made some very good points here; I have to give it some thought & if Diane allows me to do so, I'll tell you a story that may help you.
DIANE--
I HAVE A LONG-WINDED (so what else is new?) STORY FOR LEYTON-- & ANYONE ELSE WHO'S INTERESTED. SHOULD I USE THESE PAGES OR THE PERSONAL MESSAGE BOARD?
Fred.
|
|
|
Post by fred on Dec 8, 2005 17:15:22 GMT -6
Leyton--
One other thing I wanted to mention to you about publishing firms & writing (before Diane allows me to "story-tell'-- or not). My wife-- who is a sharp, aggressive, no-nonsense, ex-Wall Streeter (where we met), runs a small NY publishing firm. She is NOT the ego-driven artsy-type. She's a bottom-line gal, who hates BSers & the spew they pawn off as "life." Anyway, she doesn't have a lot of patience w/ most of the clowns who call themselves editors. Like most walks of life, only about 10% of the people involved can even get out of their own way. Anyway, there are a couple of stories that float around, one involving some famous 1950's novel-- I can't remember which one, but you would certainly know the name-- which, as a joke, was sent to its original publisher as a NEW book. The publisher or editor-- having no idea the name of the book (I guess that was changed as part of the ruse) TURNED IT DOWN! Whoever that editor was simply said it wasn't worth publishing or whatever.
Another joke making the circuit was that a group of pretty famous, first-line writers decided to write a chapter each of a story they put together. I have no idea how many or who they were, but they wrote this thing & submitted it anonymously. That was also turned down.
My point here is that you could be the next Shakespeare & unless you are lucky enough to get a GOOD editor, you're dead meat. Do you think E.M. Forster or Christopher Isherwood could get published today by just sending a manuscript into a NY house, unsolicited? I seriously doubt it.
The moral, Leyton, is NEVER GIVE UP! Never quit! I've read your stuff on these pages. If your writing flair is as sharp as your mind & your knowledge of the LBH, you are good enough to get published. Persistance turns into luck.
Best wishes Leyton, Fred.
P.S.-- DIANE-- This AIN'T the story I want to tell Leyton.
|
|