Bah Humbug

I understand Ebenezer’s perspective on the holidays. How can anything productive, namely the advancement of my written works, be achieved with all the time spent shopping and merry making, the eating and drinking and giving, that surrounds the Christmas season?

Determined still to my adopted craft, I am then struck down with illness.

The passing of my mother two days before the New Year consumes my remaining strength. Even now the cold pierces home and flesh, stealing any healing energies the grace of God may provide.

Though the bank fold may thicken, a moments disaster could leave us in ruin.

In other words, my life goes on as usual.

Happy New Year. Sorry for my tardiness in posting.

I plan to work through a contract on one self published author’s platform I have investigated, finish out a hardcopy version of one of my works with my original self publishing platform, then decide how to advance from there. Shall I look for a full service publisher?

Publisher’s radio advertisements and associated websites are alluring.

When I first looked into publishing companies, nearly ten years ago, I read statements that ran something along these lines: “We throw away all unsolicited manuscripts and are not responsible if any of our books resemble in any way a manuscript you may have improperly submitted to decorate our trash bins.”

Now, companies are advertising that they will truly read your manuscript, …promise. Just give yourself a chance and sign up, call, for a free submittal package.

How does one break out of the self published pool of millions? How can one stand out?

Though people claim everything is different in this age of digital world wide access media, maybe it is not.

I would love some real honest face to face feedback on my work. If I can keep the nose to the grind stone I can produce five books this year.

Is Barnes and Noble the only book store left? You know where we found gifts appropriate for newborns, after long tedious searches through your traditional toy stores? That’s right; at Barnes and Noble.

Self publish success stories are simply the piecemeal assembly of a team, that traditionally a publishing company provided as a package. Though some authors may maintain a social media following, to promote their work, that does not replace book signings and getting into the book store.

I believe social media to be limiting. People are rebelling against the mindless screen stare culture. They seek to return to real human ties and face to face breathing the same air experiences, more and more.

And you wonder why the rich get richer and no one else? Because everyone throws up all their ideas on the Internet for the rich to steal and market. Because they can. They have all the money.

Bah Humbug!