getting published > take 2.
- ghetto kitty
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getting published > take 2.
hi guys...
so yall know i book stuff and do promo for Lounge,
but my real talent, the one thing i havent learned but grew up doing,
is writing.
Yes, i mainly write what could be called poetry (but i hate the word and its connotations) it is often wierd, funny and not too self indulgent
(well some of it is, but i write that for me and me only)
when i read stuff people do laugh, cry and ask for copies, so i know theres somethin there.
yes, i have written my share of articles and interviews and reviews, but find them too easy and boring often.
i have published about 2000 of my own zines and given them away, and written a few pieces for mags throughout the last ten years.
i have hundreds and hundreds of bits of writing.
i want to get published.
in my own book, possibly with my own photos or in collaboration with someone else.
has anyone done this?
does anyone have advice?
because of course, i am great at promoting other people, and shithouse at promoting myself.
there is some oldish stuff on my website
http://www.ghettokitty.com.au
but i will post some newer stuff here later today.
so yall know i book stuff and do promo for Lounge,
but my real talent, the one thing i havent learned but grew up doing,
is writing.
Yes, i mainly write what could be called poetry (but i hate the word and its connotations) it is often wierd, funny and not too self indulgent
(well some of it is, but i write that for me and me only)
when i read stuff people do laugh, cry and ask for copies, so i know theres somethin there.
yes, i have written my share of articles and interviews and reviews, but find them too easy and boring often.
i have published about 2000 of my own zines and given them away, and written a few pieces for mags throughout the last ten years.
i have hundreds and hundreds of bits of writing.
i want to get published.
in my own book, possibly with my own photos or in collaboration with someone else.
has anyone done this?
does anyone have advice?
because of course, i am great at promoting other people, and shithouse at promoting myself.
there is some oldish stuff on my website
http://www.ghettokitty.com.au
but i will post some newer stuff here later today.
Last edited by ghetto kitty on Tue Apr 29, 2008 6:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- ghetto kitty
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speaking of publishing...
say someone was asked to help out with a book in an educational/text book series for early highschool kids, which included a Bio on them and their work which they put together, and two photos which they took, how much would they expect to get paid?
I was manic at the time and said I didn't require payment. Now I'm trying to scrape some cash together for a new studio computer and I'm wondering how much I might have missed out on.
/end hijack.
say someone was asked to help out with a book in an educational/text book series for early highschool kids, which included a Bio on them and their work which they put together, and two photos which they took, how much would they expect to get paid?
I was manic at the time and said I didn't require payment. Now I'm trying to scrape some cash together for a new studio computer and I'm wondering how much I might have missed out on.
/end hijack.
- ghetto kitty
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- ghetto kitty
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- ghetto kitty
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www.redbubble.com.au will allow you to publish and distribute it.
if youre looking for more professional publisher who will get your book in shops etc, a friend of mine used the following approach which paid off big time:
- make a professional looking package - essentially a mockup of what you want published. Make it look like you want it to look like in shops, using publishing software.
- write a bio and give a sense of the "why" behind the book
- in the mean time, do some research about which publishers print this kind of thing.
- send each publisher youve decided to target a package with the book and your bio.
Good luck!
if youre looking for more professional publisher who will get your book in shops etc, a friend of mine used the following approach which paid off big time:
- make a professional looking package - essentially a mockup of what you want published. Make it look like you want it to look like in shops, using publishing software.
- write a bio and give a sense of the "why" behind the book
- in the mean time, do some research about which publishers print this kind of thing.
- send each publisher youve decided to target a package with the book and your bio.
Good luck!
sneaky flow like cash flow
on the first of the month
for broke cats that's thirst for the blunt
on the first of the month
for broke cats that's thirst for the blunt
- ghetto kitty
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Agree completely with sneaky re professional publication. I have to say, though, I wouldn't rate your chances.
Once upon a time, I did a lot of creative writing and was (admittedly very half-arsedly) looking into publishing a collection sort of like you've described. Fact of the matter is, it is very difficult to get anything unsolicited published, let alone a whole book. Through school, I entered quite a bit of work in various 'literary' competitions, which can get you a bit of money and recognition, which is a good start. The Writers' Festival will also be coming up in a bit, so that can be a good way to make connections or at least pick the brains of people who already have success in the area.
There are other options if you are just wanting to get some individual pieces out there. Two magazines that spring to mind are Meanjin and Overland. These are pretty serious contenders, though, and might not exactly be what you are looking for. A look through the magazine rack at Readings should reveal these along with other local possibilities.
If you decide to go with sneaky's suggestion, I'd have a look for similar publications and target those publishers. You're proposing a fairly boutique style of book, so I wouldn't waste your money sending it to the 'Novel or STFU' types.
For more ideas, you could also try the Victorian Writers' Centre
Good luck!
Once upon a time, I did a lot of creative writing and was (admittedly very half-arsedly) looking into publishing a collection sort of like you've described. Fact of the matter is, it is very difficult to get anything unsolicited published, let alone a whole book. Through school, I entered quite a bit of work in various 'literary' competitions, which can get you a bit of money and recognition, which is a good start. The Writers' Festival will also be coming up in a bit, so that can be a good way to make connections or at least pick the brains of people who already have success in the area.
There are other options if you are just wanting to get some individual pieces out there. Two magazines that spring to mind are Meanjin and Overland. These are pretty serious contenders, though, and might not exactly be what you are looking for. A look through the magazine rack at Readings should reveal these along with other local possibilities.
If you decide to go with sneaky's suggestion, I'd have a look for similar publications and target those publishers. You're proposing a fairly boutique style of book, so I wouldn't waste your money sending it to the 'Novel or STFU' types.
For more ideas, you could also try the Victorian Writers' Centre
Good luck!
- ghetto kitty
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hmmm great advice, and much of what ive either experienced or
felt already...
i have been quite half arsed about it, but it still feels like an insurmountable thing to be doing anything like 'prose-poetry-creative etc"
im not a novel writer, and that seems to be much simpler in theory to get published.....in theory.
which i dont have right now. but fuck, its jsut so frustrating to have so many people who read your stuff tell you to go and get published, to write a book, and not the slightest idea how to do it.
felt already...
i have been quite half arsed about it, but it still feels like an insurmountable thing to be doing anything like 'prose-poetry-creative etc"
im not a novel writer, and that seems to be much simpler in theory to get published.....in theory.
yeah, more research, and like three months holed up making and sifting and collating.retzie wrote: If you decide to go with sneaky's suggestion, I'd have a look for similar publications and target those publishers. You're proposing a fairly boutique style of book, so I wouldn't waste your money sending it to the 'Novel or STFU' types.
which i dont have right now. but fuck, its jsut so frustrating to have so many people who read your stuff tell you to go and get published, to write a book, and not the slightest idea how to do it.
Yeah, it's one of those 'the best way to get published is to already be published'
If you don't have the time now, maybe just send some individual stuff off to magazines as is. In my experience, even if they don't publish you, they will often get back to you with some helpful (!) feedback. This is not to be confused with academic journals, who are usually just lazy and rude
A cruise through Readings (or similar) will probably yield quite a lot of info. Skimming the magazines and even just asking what local houses publish poetry could be a quick and easy way to make some headway.
I know the thought of all the effort required to put together a decent prototype is daunting, but if you've already got some (hopefully constructive) professional feedback, you at least know it has some non-friend-related merit. I hope you're good with rejection, though, coz it can be a pretty demoralising process.....
If you don't have the time now, maybe just send some individual stuff off to magazines as is. In my experience, even if they don't publish you, they will often get back to you with some helpful (!) feedback. This is not to be confused with academic journals, who are usually just lazy and rude
A cruise through Readings (or similar) will probably yield quite a lot of info. Skimming the magazines and even just asking what local houses publish poetry could be a quick and easy way to make some headway.
I know the thought of all the effort required to put together a decent prototype is daunting, but if you've already got some (hopefully constructive) professional feedback, you at least know it has some non-friend-related merit. I hope you're good with rejection, though, coz it can be a pretty demoralising process.....
- ghetto kitty
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yeah, i can do that i guess.retzie wrote: If you don't have the time now, maybe just send some individual stuff off to magazines as is. In my experience, even if they don't publish you, they will often get back to you with some helpful (!) feedback.
i do have all of them on file almost, so its easy enuf to write a simple cover letter and bang off a few emails to the right people, if i can find em!
hehehe thats just it. im not really. and everytime i get a rude NO, i wait another year untill im ready to go at it again. i need to toughen up.I hope you're good with rejection, though, coz it can be a pretty demoralising process.....
ive even sent letters asking for advice from publishers, or any contacts or people they could put me in touch with, and recieved NO in answer, so its kind of disheartening.
the only people i know who write are either journalists or screen writers, and neither are really what im gonig for.
and > i hate the word poetry.
it just conjures angst and self indulgent tripe about lost loves.
i have my share of those poems too, but i specialise in the social commentary, insightful with a twist of rampant humour type stuff.
fuck knows who the market even is outsdie of my disfunctional fucked up trans gender and sometimes spiritual friends.
Urgh, Poetry.... A girl I went to school with wrote Poetry - including an epic 3000 word number about a life-long love story :vomit:. If pushed, I will admit that I wrote some 'poems', then rush to say that they were more like prose and were pretty mean and nasty. Needless to say, they loved her, while backing away from me carefully......
Rejection for stuff that you've poured your heart and soul into sucks. Completely. In the bad way. I just got an (academic) article rejected and even though I've gotten a thicker skin over the years, it made me want to hide in a corner and never write anything again. The good news is that recovery times improve
Rejection for stuff that you've poured your heart and soul into sucks. Completely. In the bad way. I just got an (academic) article rejected and even though I've gotten a thicker skin over the years, it made me want to hide in a corner and never write anything again. The good news is that recovery times improve
- ghetto kitty
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- system
- let the hustlers play
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didn't prove a problem for Greg Egan.retzie wrote:that's what can go wrong kids - at school I wanted to be a writer and now I've ended up a mathematician. If only it had been easier to get my stories published........
DRS wrote:It’s uplifting while we drift through time,
‘cause we keep pushing the vibe.
This probably isn't terribly relevent, but your post reminded me. I used to do creative writing in high school, it was the only thing I was remotely good at. Come Yr 12 English CAT's, my first draft was questioned. My teacher, in front of a class full of kids mind you, said "it's too good to be your work. you've never shown before that you are any good at creative writing, I don't believe this work is yours". We'd never done creative writing with him before, so I didn't understand where he was coming from.retzie wrote:Urgh, Poetry.... A girl I went to school with wrote Poetry - including an epic 3000 word number about a life-long love story :vomit:. If pushed, I will admit that I wrote some 'poems', then rush to say that they were more like prose and were pretty mean and nasty. Needless to say, they loved her, while backing away from me carefully......
Rejection for stuff that you've poured your heart and soul into sucks. Completely. In the bad way. I just got an (academic) article rejected and even though I've gotten a thicker skin over the years, it made me want to hide in a corner and never write anything again. The good news is that recovery times improve
Mum and I had a meeting with him, the Yr 12 co-ord and the principal. Mum told them she was with me when I wrote it, no plagerism involved. Didn't believe us. I told them I read everything from Isaac Asimov to Jackie Collins. Didn't believe me. So I had to write a new story from scratch, locked in a room with my English teacher to prove I could do it. 8 pages later the bell rings and I hand him the draft.
Long story short (too late) VCAB gave me an A+ for the CAT. My first ever A+ in my schooling career.
Since then though I've never really felt inclined to write. That inital accusation put such a dent in my self esteem I felt everything I wrote would be compared and poked and prodded. The A+ was vindication, but not really enough to urge me forward.
Fucker I hate him
Only the meek get pinched...the bold survive
Thats such a sad story. F***ing Nazi's (not lit) with thier idea on who is/ and or can be creative.The Mixtress wrote:
Mum and I had a meeting with him, the Yr 12 co-ord and the principal. Mum told them she was with me when I wrote it, no plagerism involved. Didn't believe us. I told them I read everything from Isaac Asimov to Jackie Collins. Didn't believe me. So I had to write a new story from scratch, locked in a room with my English teacher to prove I could do it. 8 pages later the bell rings and I hand him the draft.
Everyone has imagination and the ability to express it, but most people are strangled of the means to convey thier original ideas within the modern schooling system.
Congrats on the A+ and sticking it to your teacher/school!!
Back on topic! GK I don't have the foggiest about the publishing world but perhaps you could apply concepts you have learnt from the club/art world.
Perhaps get sponsors or base the proposed book around a party or event??? (in a non cheesy way?)
Good luck either way....
Last edited by Hatsudai on Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- SoulWhiteMan
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Kitty
you can get a literary agent, these guys will be on first name basis of publishers throughout Australia.
If your work is good enough, they will take it to people who need to read it.
Just a thought?
I was reccomended a literary agent by a few writers who visited our highschool; they say that if you have something out there you strongly beleive in, it is best to "market" yourself to the publishers through a strong literary agent.
you can get a literary agent, these guys will be on first name basis of publishers throughout Australia.
If your work is good enough, they will take it to people who need to read it.
Just a thought?
I was reccomended a literary agent by a few writers who visited our highschool; they say that if you have something out there you strongly beleive in, it is best to "market" yourself to the publishers through a strong literary agent.
- SoulWhiteMan
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academic journals for mathematics...... fuck me, I thought the social sciences were bad! Bunch of Good Will Hunting arseholes being knowitalls!retzie wrote:Yeah, it's one of those 'the best way to get published is to already be published'
If you don't have the time now, maybe just send some individual stuff off to magazines as is. In my experience, even if they don't publish you, they will often get back to you with some helpful (!) feedback. This is not to be confused with academic journals, who are usually just lazy and rude
A cruise through Readings (or similar) will probably yield quite a lot of info. Skimming the magazines and even just asking what local houses publish poetry could be a quick and easy way to make some headway.
I know the thought of all the effort required to put together a decent prototype is daunting, but if you've already got some (hopefully constructive) professional feedback, you at least know it has some non-friend-related merit. I hope you're good with rejection, though, coz it can be a pretty demoralising process.....
- ghetto kitty
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mixxy > i have similar stories from school.
thats why i hated school and couldnt wait to leave, the only things i was good at (not maths and sciene!) i was TOO good at.
phhht.
my writing used to scare the shit out of my teachers casue it was so raw and real for someone who was 14...
retzie > hehehe i hear you, set out with one goal, end up in the polar opposite!
SWM > i just dont really know how to go about 'getting' a literary agent!
but that sounds like an angle.
hatsudai> hmmm yes, i guess i prolly will end up just getting sick of marketing other peoples art and music and apply myself to my own stuff.
not really sure how i could tie it in with something from a different medium.
but food for thought, definately...
hmmmmmmmmmm
thats why i hated school and couldnt wait to leave, the only things i was good at (not maths and sciene!) i was TOO good at.
phhht.
my writing used to scare the shit out of my teachers casue it was so raw and real for someone who was 14...
retzie > hehehe i hear you, set out with one goal, end up in the polar opposite!
SWM > i just dont really know how to go about 'getting' a literary agent!
but that sounds like an angle.
hatsudai> hmmm yes, i guess i prolly will end up just getting sick of marketing other peoples art and music and apply myself to my own stuff.
not really sure how i could tie it in with something from a different medium.
but food for thought, definately...
hmmmmmmmmmm
- huge
- old boy
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you deffo need a literary agent.
check your spelling too
check your spelling too
http://www.thelittlemule.com - tredleys and caffeine
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http://www.dubstep.com.au - aussie dubstep forums
- ghetto kitty
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- SoulWhiteMan
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I don't have any advice sorry, (I do agree on getting in touch with literary agent) but I do want to wish you luck. Trying to become a well known writer/author is huge competition. I to also have the dream of one day being published, but at the moment I am too content with just reading other peoples works.
I'm sure your reach your goal!
I'm sure your reach your goal!
- ghetto kitty
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thanks for the links SWM, sent a copule emails to some of them.
of course, lots of the agents say that 'unpublished wirters need to have a publisher interested already" PHHT.
and some even say only 'no poetry'
hehehehe
fuck.
maybe when im fifty ill live in a wooden house in a forest with lots of animals
and write my best seller, like every other thwarted writer who writes great stuff, and then dies.
sheesh.
of course, lots of the agents say that 'unpublished wirters need to have a publisher interested already" PHHT.
and some even say only 'no poetry'
hehehehe
fuck.
maybe when im fifty ill live in a wooden house in a forest with lots of animals
and write my best seller, like every other thwarted writer who writes great stuff, and then dies.
sheesh.
Absolutely shits me to tears. Yes, the referees are probably better mathematicians than I am, but I felt like replying to my last one with "CAN YOU ACTUALLY READ????" Their grasp of the written word is tenuous at best. Unfortunately, I am a wordy bitch at the best of times, so I unwittingly upset the poor little flowers by using words like 'paucity'..... Oh well, that article got there in the endSoulWhiteMan wrote:academic journals for mathematics...... fuck me, I thought the social sciences were bad! Bunch of Good Will Hunting arseholes being knowitalls!
Kitty, the first piece of advice authors usually gave to me was 'Make sure you have another job.' Awesome advice guys..... I guess too much of the writing scene is subject to random chance to make it something you can count on. You've gotta put yourself out there though, otherwise it will never happen.
I reckon a few pieces in half-decent literary mags would definitely help on the agent front. And remember, if all else fails, you've always got the dead crazy woman in a cabin plan to fall back on
- ghetto kitty
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hehehe i do, i have a good job at the moment, and i have lots of things and skills etc that i can do and have had many different jobs in the past.retzie wrote: Kitty, the first piece of advice authors usually gave to me was 'Make sure you have another job.' Awesome advice guys..... I guess too much of the writing scene is subject to random chance to make it something you can count on. You've gotta put yourself out there though, otherwise it will never happen.
BUT > i still maintain that writing is the ONLY thing i havent learnt, that i have grown up doing and will do when all else fails.
and i do not want money from my words, although that would be nice.
i want people to feel summin (hello hippy at heart)
question things about the world, their lives etc etc
i would like my name in lights of course, but id be satisfied getting it out there to more than 1000 people in melbourne, who i have already accosted with hand stapled, hand stencilled zines for the last three years.
whats 'paucity" ??
hehehehe
paucity = lack of.
I like what you said about writing Kitty, that it's the only thing you haven't learned, that it comes naturally. I feel the same way. Some people are just born with certain talents I reckon. I can't sing, play music or paint but I can write.
Well put
I like what you said about writing Kitty, that it's the only thing you haven't learned, that it comes naturally. I feel the same way. Some people are just born with certain talents I reckon. I can't sing, play music or paint but I can write.
Well put
Only the meek get pinched...the bold survive
- ghetto kitty
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so its a full year later, and im still thinking about doing this, but im now thinking of self publishing, not for any pipe dreams of making it big...
but purely cause I love writing and am constantly reading it to people and STILL want to get it out there, just out there, anywhere!
i am thinking of doing a small run of 500 -100 and using my contacts in the music industry to do a launch etc, and im pretty confident i could sell almost 500 to my crew and extended peoples. i mean, youll all buy one, right ?
ive been googling different print houses etc for quotes.
it may be about $2k for 500 books.
thoughts anyone?
but purely cause I love writing and am constantly reading it to people and STILL want to get it out there, just out there, anywhere!
i am thinking of doing a small run of 500 -100 and using my contacts in the music industry to do a launch etc, and im pretty confident i could sell almost 500 to my crew and extended peoples. i mean, youll all buy one, right ?
ive been googling different print houses etc for quotes.
it may be about $2k for 500 books.
thoughts anyone?
- quiet roar
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I'll stock your book, kitty. And I reckon most indie stores will stock it on a consignment basis.
As for distributors/publishers, I would try Giramondo Press (distributed by Tower Books) because they do a shitload of local poetry. Also Wakefield Press, Dennis Jones, and Australian Book Group are worth a try. They are the smaller publishers that are more likely to take a punt on a untried author.
Literary agent would be great but I imagine they would be as adventurous as the publishers.
As for distributors/publishers, I would try Giramondo Press (distributed by Tower Books) because they do a shitload of local poetry. Also Wakefield Press, Dennis Jones, and Australian Book Group are worth a try. They are the smaller publishers that are more likely to take a punt on a untried author.
Literary agent would be great but I imagine they would be as adventurous as the publishers.
The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well
- Charlie73
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DO IT!ghetto kitty wrote:so its a full year later, and im still thinking about doing this, but im now thinking of self publishing, not for any pipe dreams of making it big...
but purely cause I love writing and am constantly reading it to people and STILL want to get it out there, just out there, anywhere!
i am thinking of doing a small run of 500 -100 and using my contacts in the music industry to do a launch etc, and im pretty confident i could sell almost 500 to my crew and extended peoples. i mean, youll all buy one, right ?
ive been googling different print houses etc for quotes.
it may be about $2k for 500 books.
thoughts anyone?
- Lil MiSbreaks
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I know someone who might be able to help you...at least get you in contact with some of the right people. This bird is wicked, she writes children's books and is such a stoner, i love itghetto kitty wrote:its not the $$
its not the risk
its the distro.
i dont have the know how to get it in bookstores,
and i dont know where to take it.
plus > i want to be told what to write next, i can write on any subject, two drafts from whoa to go.
needs more book deal.
Let me get her email addy and i'll pm you k.
Welcome back btw lady!
- ghetto kitty
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thanks quiet roar! ill check out those publishers and id love to have em at brunswick bound when they are in hand!quiet roar wrote:I'll stock your book, kitty. And I reckon most indie stores will stock it on a consignment basis.
As for distributors/publishers, I would try Giramondo Press (distributed by Tower Books) because they do a shitload of local poetry. Also Wakefield Press, Dennis Jones, and Australian Book Group are worth a try. They are the smaller publishers that are more likely to take a punt on a untried author.
and LMB > that would be great lady, part of the problem is everyone i know makes music, not words! so i have a limited number of people to throw ideas at, hence my posts here....any more writers would be great to meet.
have been thinking of running an open mic night for words, and mcs actually, i dunno, no matter what i do Ill always be writing.