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Post by dragonlots on Jan 24, 2011 15:19:06 GMT -5
My apologies. I got on a soapbox but I hope I answered your questions. Most of what you’ll get out of submitting to the anthology is a chance to work with an editor & publisher, some free PR, to reach potential new readers, a publishing credit, an opportunity to make some money by doing your own marketing – which you’ll be expected to do NO MATTER who publishes you, and a place to put your stories in a market that already exists – there is no where in the Christian market that I am aware of.
I know it doesn’t seem quite fair on the payment side – but there are anthologies out there where all you get is a contributors copy and no money at all. I and several friends have done this just for a publishing credit or to help out a friend. Carol Hightshoe is contributing a story to Dragons and Cats – as a favor to me.
You begin to see how fandom works?
Starting out, you can’t expect to always get paid. I’ve already recounted what the current payment rates are. This way, you can at least make a bit of money and get some marketing practice. Yes, it’s hard. Even I have a difficult time selling my work – I’m an introvert. But if I want to be a successful writer – I have to get over my shyness. This is why I go to conventions and talk to people not just locally but I have been to a couple of out of town and am hoping to go to another WorldCon in a couple of years.
Also, this is how I got JL to agree to review my first book. She’s well known and I count it as a feather in my cap she said she would.
I do understand if any of you decide to pass on this opportunity. I’m just pointing out the facts on what compromises or other routes you might want to consider as you’re starting out. Yes, it’s nice to get paid, but as I have said before, I spent 14 years publishing for nothing more than contributors copies, the chance to work with a good editor, reader feedback, building a fanbase and practice.( IE I paid my dues.)
Oh, interesting story I heard from Carrie Vaughn this weekend. She had three books that didn’t sell before she sold her first book. She ‘gave away’ copies of that one because she figured no one would buy it to read. Now, her books are selling and she’s making a living as a writer with a two book a year contract.
Humble beginnings folks. Humble beginnings. How much money did she invest in herself by giving away her book – which she would have had to have bought from the publisher.
If you don’t know who Carrie is – go to your local bookstore.
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Post by dragonlots on Jan 24, 2011 16:03:34 GMT -5
One final thing I’m going to say here. One of the advantages to conventions is this – when several of the contributing writers found out I was the editor of Dragons and Cats – if they didn’t already know me, they introduced themselves and pitched their story ideas. Guess who now has a better chance of getting into the anthology? Yep, that’s right, the folks I know. I’m excited to see their stories. This is also a publishing reality of life. If you know the editor – you have a chance of getting read and accepted.
And here’s an interesting trend – publishing houses are gathering what are being called stables. Yours truly has a good chance of getting into two. A very good place for any writer to be.
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Post by isabeau on Jan 24, 2011 19:07:49 GMT -5
First, I appreciate you answering my questions.
Second, the reason I asked the questions I did was to gain a complete understanding of how Dreamzion's publishing model worked. Their website is neither user-friendly nor particularly informative, and I thought perhaps you might have the answers to those questions. I was not asking out of concern for potential earnings on the publication of a short story (you make a great many assumptions, you know). Given that I have had a stand-alone short story published (and even if I hadn't), I am well aware that only Stephen King (and perhaps a few others) makes any significant earnings on short story publications.
Third, I could have been spared the condescending lecture. I say this in all Christian love: you are not the only one here who understands how the publishing industry works. Please allow for that fact in the future. I'm sure you have a great many experiences to share. You can do that without talking down to those you're trying to reach.
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Post by dragonlots on Jan 24, 2011 22:22:46 GMT -5
Sorry if i sounded condesending - try frustrated. I would very much like to see submissions from Christian writers because I know there are few if any outlets for short story publication.
Also, I was making the assumption based on what happened during MLS #1 and the comments made. The impression I got was a bunch of newbies who didn't know much.
My apologies to any one my previous messesage may have upset. Unfortunately, the day after a con I am very tired and quite honestly, I'm a point blank person. I say what I think. It often gets me in trouble but at least you know where I stand.
I have high hopes for this anthology as a possible gateway for Christian writers. If it does well than we may be able to do a second. The publisher is already trying to get me to write for other anthologies he has going and as I said before, he's very excited at the prospect of getting Christian writers into field. I do know for a fact that there is another Christian brother also writing for this house.
Again, my apologies. I do jump to conclusions based on past experience. Yet, I think we all do that.
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Post by morganlbusse on Jan 25, 2011 11:16:28 GMT -5
Hey Dragon, thanks for all the heads up on options for publication for us writers. In defense of Jeff, he's a really, really busy guy with a family. Sometimes a person has to choose to say yes to some things and no to others (like the local con in this case).
As far as MLP's publishing and payment model, you can find it at the Marcher Lord Website under "Write for us". Basically all proceeds go to pay off the printing of the book, then the money above and beyond that is split 50/50 between Marcher Lord Press and the author (if I am understanding that correctly). I think that is a fair model.
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Post by dragonlots on Jan 25, 2011 12:23:04 GMT -5
Thanks, Morwena. I do know Jeff is busy as most of us are. Again, I’d really like to see MLP do well and since I’m in fandom I know how it works and would like to see Jeff take advantage of it. Unfortunately, I do share the ‘I think people should do this’ thing with my spouse. At least I’m aware it’s a shortcoming I have and am working on it. And thanks for the heads up on payment model. I hadn’t really looked into it. Just a FYI - any chance I get to promote Christian Speculative Fiction and MLP or SDB during cons I do. Granted I’m not published by either, but since I want to see them succeed, I do put in a plug. Folks, I am sorry about yesterdays rant. I was in a mood. During cons you don’t get much sleep and you don’t eat right so by the time Monday rolls around – you’re exhausted. I really should know better than to try to do much of anything. Moving forward, from talking to a few submitting writers at CoSine, I seem to have plenty of cat stories but am coming up short on dragon, dragon w/cat or cat w/dragon pieces. I’m sending out a general call for those. If you have a piece that fits please submit to submissions@dreamzion.com. Guidelines are both on this thread and on www.dreamzion.com. Thanks!
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Post by morganlbusse on Jan 25, 2011 14:39:03 GMT -5
Hey Dragon, No problem. We all have those days Glad to hear your writing is taking off.
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Post by isabeau on Jan 25, 2011 15:26:55 GMT -5
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Post by dragonlots on Feb 9, 2011 15:28:27 GMT -5
Update on anthology. I just got the first submissions today and should be getting more this weekend. The publisher is intercepting and returning any that don’t meet guidelines or were submitted incorrectly. Also, so no one gets upset, he is removing the author names to prevent any bias. This means I will be accepting stories based on content alone – not who I know. Now granted, I do know what few writers were sending since I’ve talked with them in person or via email. But I’m really excited to see what has been coming in. Just a reminder, deadline is March 1st. Submission guidelines are at www.Dreamzion.com.
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Post by dragonlots on Feb 11, 2011 12:47:53 GMT -5
Have accepted my first story for the anthology. The writer did an excellent job nailing exactly what I was looking for. It has both cats and dragons in it. The second story had potential with a number of problems and was returned to the writer for a rewrite. It was about dragons. Now awaiting next batch of submissions.
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Post by dragonlots on Feb 27, 2011 15:53:12 GMT -5
If anyone has problems submitting to the anthology via the submissions address - please, send me a private message. I will be checking several sites for the next couple of days.
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Post by dragonlots on Mar 18, 2011 15:55:17 GMT -5
Now completing final editing for the antho. Release date tentatively Mid April.
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Post by dragonlots on Apr 11, 2011 13:04:44 GMT -5
Anthology now named ‘Of Fur and Fire’ now available on Amazon. I’ll be picking up my copies at Starfest on Sat April 16th.
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