What to read this summer. . .

I'm listening to a new podcast I've picked up from iTunes (Beyond The Wall) and I'm thinking of buying George R.R. Marin's books and reading them over the summer. It's 11:30 at night right before the 4th of July.

I really am addicted to the internet. it's sad. :)

But seriously, I might break with tradition and read Martin's books this summer (and I need to catch up on my Jim Butcher as well). You see I usually read Dune every summer. I might skip Dune this year though. We'll see. The real reason I'm still up right now is because I've just uploaded a short story to Smashwords and It's about #700 in the queue so I've got a couple of hours before it's completely uploaded. So I might take a gander to the roof of my apartment and watch fireworks - or something.

Bad Form(mat)!

I want to apologize to any readers out there that uploaded the crappily (is that a word?) formatted version of my poetry book. I'm new at Smashwords and had no idea how badly formatted it was!

Anyway. it looks like I've finally gotten the hang of things when it comes to formatting. In any case I hope that you find some happiness in reading the work even if it looks like a 5 year old formatted it!

Getting around the gatekeepers

I was thinking on writing, music and the publishing world in general and how it, like the music business, is going through sea change. Not every indie author is going to get rich like Amanda Hocking but to know that at least someone out there is going to be able to have access to your work is rewarding. Is making money a goal for me? Sure. And I wouldn't mins making a few dollars here and there from my work. I also don't mind giving stuff away for free. But writing only to make money is a poor reason to write. Thinking you will be the next Amanda hocking is unrealistic. You have to love what you do. I love writing and always have. On Smashwords 16 people have already downloaded my poetry book! I'm just tickled that they took the time to check out my work! Whether they like it or not is another thing, but at least someone somewhere is reading it which is what I've wanted for so many years but was denied this. 10 years ago I couldn't get even one podunk literary newsletter to accept even one poetry submission. Things are changing and for the better for us outsiders.

The gatekeepers are still there and that's fine. I don't have anything against traditional publishing, but those of us on the outside have other options for exposure and making a living and getting our names out there. We don't have to beg at the gates anymore.