Ever Considered Self-Publishing?

  I have to admit, I have had my reservations about self publishing in the past.  I am one for mainstream publishing and still are; however, I am starting to realise that if you have a book concept you are certain has a place out in the big wide world of book sales and cannot crack it in getting published, then perhaps all is not lost, and all is not about spending lots of $$$ to make it happen.

My second rejection through the last publisher I sent my manuscript to provided some very positive feedback and as such I don't like saying it was rejected.  My manuscript atleast made it to their publishing meeting and then was dileberated over (which must mean it holds some potential)?  All is not lost and there will be no giving up, so if it doesn't make it through mainstream publishing then Publish-Me might be the answer.  Check it out!

Quote Of the Week

" Listen to everything everyone says about your work,

then ignore 80% of it."

Okay, do I really believe this?  Umm...

Children's books on centre stage

Came across an article about this year's Ballarat Writers and Illustrators Festival 2011.  With a focus on writer's, illustrators and publishers for children's and YA books, the festival will showcase the theme of Words and Pictures. It is said that "Illustrator's, picture book writers, poets and writers of books for older children and YA's will find plenty to be excited about."  As for aspiring writers and illustrators, there will be plenty for you too - especially being introduced to how the industry works and what publishers and editors are looking for.

Get your pens and imaginations warmed up, because festival attendees are invited to submit the first page of their unpublished work for critique by representatives of three publishers of children and YA books.
For more Info. visit http://www.ballaratwriters.com/, or click on post title.

Reviewing

The journalistic side of me has been screaming out lately for some attention, and attention I am happy to give.

I have been trying to find myself in fiction writing but just not quite getting there to say the least.  No, I can confidently say that perhaps non-fiction is my forte, well lets hope it is or all might be lost?  Any who, (sorry just had to say that, quite a funny expression don't you think)?  Any who, I am going to try my hand at some book reviewing and can't wait to get my teeth stuck into some of the more recent reads by sharing my thoughts.  Although I have a dedicated page here on my blog for book reviews, I will need to assert myself in submitting more detailed insights - something I don't think I should have to much trouble in achieving.
Now with the school holidays closing to a rapid end, I WILL find more time to dedicate towards my love of writing and free expression.  Maybe I will even find my voice for some much needed and anticipated creative non-fiction writing I so, so want to delve into.

Manuscript Submission

For those not cotia with my manuscript movements, I have finally got my manuscript out into the big wide world of publishers; or should I say publisher.  Yes, I have decided to take the safe bet that multiple submissions may not be the best idea for my manuscript.  So what is my game plan?  Well, as the expert manuscript submitter I am NOT,(not yet anyway), I have read that sometimes publishers may see it as a waste of their time knowing the manuscript is being considered by another publisher.  So I will hit my list of publishers one by one ( assuming the first does not accept my submission - which just for the record I truly hope they do).
Just to let you all in on a small secret though; I am not a patient person! Ahah, I hear you all, patience is a virtue - at least eight to twelve weeks of it.  Fingers and toes crossed.

Writing endeavours

Well I am underway with the start of my fiction writing.  But where is my faith?  I read a few completed paragraphs to hubby and he says he likes it - does he or is he just saying that so he can go back to reading his book?  I have tried to show and not tell, but is the quality good enough to send off as a submission to a competition?  I want to take my work to open mic at my writers group, but what if they all think it's crap?  They won't tell me-will they?  No, I think they will just say - thanks Meredith and quickly move on to the next reading which is sure to reinforce the very reason why I am having reservations right now. 
I have even gone to the length of buying the latest editions of some anthology's I aspire to submit to.  This was in hope that I would gain a better appreciation of the style and quality of writing.  I read some stories, in particular the winning entries- there great, no question; can I do better - probably not with a big PROBABLY NOT!  Then I read some other stories, some good, some a bit out there and they lose me, or I lose them, I'm not sure.  Then I read some more, keeping the rules of writing in the back of my mind.  What voice or point of view would be best to tell my story, have I chosen the right voice?  And hang on I don't have any conflict in my story - what!  What conflict?  And dialogue; can't I write a story without dialogue? Would that still be okay, after all the story still moves in pace?
So now I don't know if my story sucks or not.  And I have just finished reading an article from the latest Writing magazine which tells me if I publish my story on-line for you all to comment on, then I can't submit it for any competitions, because quite simply I have already published it?
What should I do?  A little help please!

Project list

I have started the year off as I intended.  Although I am quite happy in having sent my first submisssion for the year off, I am not too sure what will come of it.  Unfortunately the timing of my submission couldn't have been any worse, as my submission was to the Capital City of Brisbane, and as we are all very aware, the devastating blow and affects that part of our wonderful country have just endured could put an indefinite holt on this planned anthology.  

I send my heart-felt sympathy to all those affected in Queensland and hope as a nation everyone will get passed the heartache they are experiencing.  As a Victorian and seen the recent flood waters hit parts of our own state (including local regions), the sight of flood waters certainly brought with it the reality that those in Queensland experienced ten fold.

                                                         HERE'S TO BRIGHTER DAYS!