tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post6915588663514300813..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: Why Do You Seek Publication?BookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-62707962298897266322008-06-09T14:38:00.000-04:002008-06-09T14:38:00.000-04:00I feel a need to pursue publication (paid publicat...I feel a need to pursue publication (paid publication, mind you) partly because I think I'm worth it, plus I want to hear from others who have read my words and felt something. But for me the vindication comes from being paid to produce something of value.Pat Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08824114343214016153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-49935914027851933382008-06-09T00:35:00.000-04:002008-06-09T00:35:00.000-04:00For me it's very simple:Non-fiction: incomeFiction...For me it's very simple:<BR/><BR/>Non-fiction: income<BR/>Fiction: fame<BR/><BR/>As much as I'd love to be JK Rowling famous, I'll accept midlist writer fame. If it wasn't about fame (and hopefully income!) then I would self-publish my fiction (which I do my non-fiction).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-38504786614431959452008-06-08T02:05:00.000-04:002008-06-08T02:05:00.000-04:00ah - the black and white person in me has one answ...ah - the black and white person in me has one answer - A paycheck. <BR/><BR/>I personally don't enjoy my current paying job (and I'm the boss so that makes it even worse-lol) <BR/><BR/>I like to write - I enjoy the process of writing a book as much as reading it - I want to know how it ends. <BR/><BR/>But I seek publication for the simple joy of earning a living at something I enjoy rather than something I have to do if I want to pay my mortgage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-58651833925931651932008-06-06T19:04:00.000-04:002008-06-06T19:04:00.000-04:00Anon 6:34 PM YOU are NOT STUPID! You gave me chill...Anon 6:34 PM YOU are NOT STUPID! You gave me chills and yeah you made me cry. There is no failure in trying and I for one, fervently pray that you do succeed. I firmly believe that if you do what you love, the money will come. Best of luck to you hon!~<BR/><BR/>That's very sweet and didn't mean to make you sad. And, thank you. I do believe I will succeed.<BR/><BR/>If I don't, isn't it better to come to the end of your days, trying to attain your dreams than to never have dreamt?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-80174822548862934362008-06-06T14:05:00.000-04:002008-06-06T14:05:00.000-04:00I KNOW these will have been said, but why I seek p...I KNOW these will have been said, but why I seek publication?<BR/><BR/>Two reasons. The first is more "noble", and probably more egotistical, too. I believe I have stories worth sharing and that someone, somewhere, will benefit by reading them. (Nods head to theme and resonance and all the gushy book stuff.)<BR/><BR/>The other is more primal, on one hand, and more practical, on the other. I need to make money, and the thing I love doing above all else is writing. I will never stop writing, even if I don't become published, but it would certainly make my life easier if I could get paid for doing what I love.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-42177729834871657332008-06-06T09:55:00.000-04:002008-06-06T09:55:00.000-04:00If I never sell anything, at least I gave my dream...<I>If I never sell anything, at least I gave my dream of being a writer a chance. </I><BR/><BR/>Anon 6:34 PM YOU are NOT STUPID! You gave me chills and yeah you made me cry. There is no failure in trying and I for one, fervently pray that you do succeed. I firmly believe that if you do what you love, the money will come. Best of luck to you hon!Amie Stuarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14145328243563702260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-27731158890280690022008-06-06T09:51:00.000-04:002008-06-06T09:51:00.000-04:00Life’s hard and people need rest stops. I want to ...<I>Life’s hard and people need rest stops. I want to write a memorable rest stop.</I><BR/><BR/>Suki that is just lovely and oh and oh so poignant!Amie Stuarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14145328243563702260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-36219637419911094462008-06-06T06:40:00.000-04:002008-06-06T06:40:00.000-04:00I've asked myself this question before, and I'm no...I've asked myself this question before, and I'm not sure I know the answer. I've tried to become more passionate about other jobs, but I can never succeed. I want to write. I want to get published. It often seems futile. But I've finally come to the point when I realize I'm just going to keep trying no matter what. I find joy in writing. I would love to publish to validate what I've felt I should be doing my whole life, but I know that might never happen.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I think this is the first time I've commented here. I found your blog recently, and I really enjoy it. Thanks for sharing all this great information.Shellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02634919180872634636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-87080539169406825932008-06-05T23:23:00.000-04:002008-06-05T23:23:00.000-04:00Everyone has said what I feel. I wanted to add tha...Everyone has said what I feel. I wanted to add that I'm writing a story that I would like to read and no one is writing them these days anymore. Hopefully a publisher will feel the same way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-73406337446748904642008-06-05T16:54:00.000-04:002008-06-05T16:54:00.000-04:00Most of us seek validation, no matter what we do. ...Most of us seek validation, no matter what we do. Sure, we tell everyone we don't care if our work sits under a bed or on a wall in our bathroom, but we really want to be appreciated and encouraged.<BR/><BR/>Setting the bar at a comfortable level is not a goal. We need external feedback in order to nudge that bar a little higher.Sandra Cormierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00231342310371529022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-53955626042966421992008-06-05T15:52:00.000-04:002008-06-05T15:52:00.000-04:00Good Heavens. What if we didn't? The thought of ...Good Heavens. What if we didn't? The thought of empty bookshelves terrifies me. *shudders*DJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16433226191010514289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-67639997886953902112008-06-05T15:32:00.000-04:002008-06-05T15:32:00.000-04:00Personal validation. I always have believed I'm a ...Personal validation. I always have believed I'm a good enough writer to have my name on the spine of a book in the bookstore or library, but until I actually DO, I have no proof of that.<BR/><BR/>As vain as it is, that's what I really want--proof that I'm good enough.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-58318163789000923762008-06-05T14:49:00.000-04:002008-06-05T14:49:00.000-04:00What keeps me going? Several things, the most perv...What keeps me going? Several things, the most pervasive of which is the fact that I've known with conviction since the third grade that this is what I am meant to do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-1298198290010474442008-06-05T13:00:00.000-04:002008-06-05T13:00:00.000-04:00My goal is to write the best books I can. If they...My goal is to write the best books I can. If they turn out not to be what's selling right now, so be it. If they turn out to be total crap, well, as long as it's the best I can do, I can't complain.<BR/><BR/>But since I've written the damn things, I figure I might as well see if they can sell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-34542426369462818322008-06-05T09:58:00.000-04:002008-06-05T09:58:00.000-04:00It's a question I've been asking myself over the l...It's a question I've been asking myself over the last couple years. Writing is hard, publishing is harder. I've published several novels with a good publisher, so why keep going? I think because it's validation... I'm challenging myself, pushing for a new level of skill and accomplishment, and in my mind, the validation for my success in that is a) publishing and b) seeing if readers enjoy my work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-13512532197368982672008-06-05T08:49:00.000-04:002008-06-05T08:49:00.000-04:00Allow me to answer in the words of The Raconteurs:...Allow me to answer in the words of The Raconteurs:<BR/><BR/>"Grab hold and do not let go <BR/>And if you find yourself repeating <BR/>Some of those incoherent sounds <BR/>Just talking to yourself is cheating <BR/>You might as well stick your head in the ground"<BR/><BR/>BOO YEAH!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05047177835463425638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-78735475457924816982008-06-05T07:21:00.000-04:002008-06-05T07:21:00.000-04:00Anon 6:34 here.Thank you, anons. I have to admit I...Anon 6:34 here.<BR/><BR/>Thank you, anons. I have to admit I ponder my sanity each month, when I try to pay bills. However, when a scene flows into place, there is a serious "aha" moment. Then I tell myself, this is why you did it, gal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-34240462804696195112008-06-05T05:35:00.000-04:002008-06-05T05:35:00.000-04:00Anon at 6.34pm - I don't think you're stupid eithe...Anon at 6.34pm - I don't think you're stupid either.<BR/><BR/>My guess is that the grit and determination, the integrity and self-belief you've already shown will take you a long way.<BR/><BR/>Best of luck!<BR/><BR/>mpeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-55349568932977980382008-06-05T05:20:00.000-04:002008-06-05T05:20:00.000-04:00Because it's fun and interesting and a challenge. ...Because it's fun and interesting and a challenge. Also, it's nice to get paid.<BR/><BR/>Whenever I start feeling sick and tired of the whole thing, I just stop submitting work. After a while, once I've noticed that it makes no difference at all to the rest of my life (including writing), I decide I might as well lob a few things out there again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-53276081227412316632008-06-05T04:08:00.000-04:002008-06-05T04:08:00.000-04:00Quite simply... because the story needs to be told...Quite simply... because the story needs to be told, and as my dear cousin says, <I>and we're the ones who have to tell it</I>.<BR/><BR/>I'm probably going to repeat what others have said in here, but I'm too tired to read through 80 comments. =p<BR/><BR/>Why publication? More people will read what you have to say. It does not matter to me whether they agree with what I have to say or not. The point is that they've read it, and they have an opinion on it. Much like your blog. If I make a little money writing, fine; if I don't, that's okay, too. It's more about the need to write and to have people read it. Publication is circulation, and I can't put an entire novel in a blog. LOL Well, I could, but it would be rather annoying to read it that way. My novels are on the web in their entirety, if one knows where to look.<BR/><BR/>What keeps a writer going after numerous rejections? One person at the beginning of this said it perfectly (ok, so I read a few comments): <I>a million people might hate it and reject it, but if one person loves it enough to share with a friend, I think it would be worth it.</I><BR/><BR/>Yep, and that's what makes me smile and keeps me writing.Jinxie Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00614376910387330818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-15595796386374092632008-06-05T01:12:00.000-04:002008-06-05T01:12:00.000-04:00Many thanks for raising this question, Jessica. I ...Many thanks for raising this question, Jessica. <BR/><BR/>I want to be published so my characters can leave home and introduce themselves to people I will never meet. I have chosen to be a career writer and as a result of that choice I work hard to write entertaining stories and accept payment for doing so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-57124255768329418152008-06-05T00:02:00.000-04:002008-06-05T00:02:00.000-04:00Validation. Being published would mean that there ...Validation. Being published would mean that there are others out there who think my story is worth reading. Also, how cool would it be to walk into a bookstore and see that book with your name on it? Fabulous! Finally, the somewhat faint hope that I could make a living doing something creative that I just love doing. Who doesn't want that?<BR/><BR/>JDuncanJDuncanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00487305836910594252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-28632266402864044942008-06-04T23:24:00.000-04:002008-06-04T23:24:00.000-04:00I think the quest for publication is motivated, in...I think the quest for publication is motivated, in part, by the notion that publication is a validation of the writer's talent.<BR/><BR/>Sure, everyone wants to get paid. And some of us are seeking fame, or at least notariety. <BR/><BR/>But mostly, when we receive an acceptance and, finally, see our work in print, we think we've arrived. Someone besides ourselves and our significant others actually appreciates, understands, and even likes the end result of our labors. <BR/><BR/>BonitaBonita Pate Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16374415788888898785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-28372728508138362402008-06-04T23:06:00.000-04:002008-06-04T23:06:00.000-04:00It's a very interesting question, especially in my...It's a very interesting question, especially in my own case. I have a "day job" that is my real career, so I have no ambitions of becoming a full time writer for a living. And yet, I find myself drawn to writing stories, or rather, one story (a series).<BR/><BR/>What began as "I wonder if I could write a novel" has become more than that. Beyond the somewhat obvious answer of wanting to share something I've created with others, and hopefully entertain them, I almost feel like I owe it to my characters. The characters deserve to have their stories told, almost as if they really exist, because after so much time with them, they seem real to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-77342527830547467412008-06-04T20:48:00.000-04:002008-06-04T20:48:00.000-04:00Why get it published? Everyone has their reasons, ...Why get it published? Everyone has their reasons, one of mine is to share the story, not in an egotistical way (assuming everyone wants to read my story), but in a way to pull the reader from their current reality, away from their every day stresses and troubles to enjoy living in someone else's shoes . . . living someone else's adventure. <BR/><BR/>I am currently in the 'discouraged' process myself. And I haven't even started submitting yet. It's a very hard business, and one I constantly find myself asking "Is it worth it? Should I keep going even though I may end up bald out of the process?"<BR/><BR/>But I love writing. Not just 'writing', but creating a story that's never been told and reeling in the reader. I don't know where my story will go, I don't know if it will get me an agent, or publication, or good or bad reviews. But I have to try. Even when I am sitting right now, brooding over whether or not my manuscript is worth more than the pile of stuff in my trashcan, I can't help but tell myself I've got to try. Otherwise, I'll never know. <BR/><BR/>If I get rejected, at least I know. And hey . . . there are always my friends and family if the story doesn't happen to reach the whole world. ;-)ChristaCarol Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02908423468344511136noreply@blogger.com