Fel wrote:As most of you know, I've been going to college, majoring in physics. The goal was to use the physics degree as a springboard to get back into my old career as an electronics technician. Though it's not an engineering/technician degree, ANY college degree + my 16 years of experience was going to get me better jobs...or that was the plan.
However, more and more here recently I find myself questioning this plan.
Writing has always been a hobby.
I've been pondering the idea of making it a job.
Now, those who know me know that this is just about the same as the Archangel Gabriel descending from On High before you and handing you a ham sandwich. I've always been MILITANTLY opposed to the idea of ever writing for anything other than fun.
You've answered the biggest question .....Or maybe not.
Can you Write / Keep to a Deadline on a Story ?
Here is a Quote form another unpublished Author i know
A friend has a saying that sums it up nicely: "When I get paid, I do it on your schedule; when I don't get paid, I do it on my schedule." So I'm on my own schedule for now.
Fel wrote:
I ask these questions in total frankness, and I EXPECT honest answers. These answers will be taken into consideration as I continue to ponder the direction of my future.
1: Do you HONESTLY believe that I could make it as a novelist, understanding that I would probably never attempt to have the Firestaff series published? Any attempt to publish would come from one of my other stories, like Subjugation.
Yes ....but writeing mainstream Dead tree Novels seems to be a Fickle job
dragon storys are Hot one week the next Week it WereCat's and Wizards.....the Week after that it's Space combat thats Hot.
Plus be advised I have heard publishing companys won't touch stories that have all ready been published either in print (Dead tree versions) or on the internet (Electronic Versions).
If you want to publish the Firestaff collection, or even Subugation you may have to do it your self using something like Lulu.com.
Copyrighted Material on the Internet
Q. Is it okay to upload my story to my website and just post a link to it?
A. In general, it would be an extraordinarily BAD idea. Posting copyrighted material on a public website can be construed as _publishing it._ You could forfeit all salable rights except "one time," which is usually the retread remainder for a work that has already sold all first, second, and other specific rights. Posting with a plain and definite caveat of "This is (an excerpt of) a work-in-progress posted for commentary and criticism" _might_ cover you, but the internet is still a young medium, and the laws haven't been fully tested.
See
http://www.templetons.com/brad/copyright.html and
http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html for more information.
Notice i said "MAY" they may Love it so much they just HAVE to Have it (and it Could be the HOT subject for that week)
Fel wrote:
2: Would you consider it worth the risk to switch majors to literature to help me become a better writer, considering I'm paying for college with student loans and I'll be left holding a very large bill?
Keep your Current Major (it may pay the bills)
but add some of the other writing classes you want.
Just because you state I'm Majoring in this!...it don't mean that a Physics Major can't take a pottery class or two as well.
Besides you can always Minor in English lit.
Fel wrote:
3: Would me registering a new domain and putting someone in complete control of it help advance my effort to publish and earn a living writing? Sennadar.com would remain, however...the new domain would be a much more professional attempt at starting up a webpage, and would include Subjugation and the other stories as well.
You could Revamp the Existing site/s (if Spec8472 wants to do this one as well) Just change the main page and then Break it up into diffrent Sections for each. (IE: a Profesional {maybe pay side} and a free/donate side. Ect,)
But having a Web site Won't help you get Publishing deal ....it just gives eaiser access to Samples of what you have already done and other info. in a quick and easy to access format.
Fel wrote:
4: People have repeatedly yelled at me to put up a Paypal donation link, but I've always been VERY uncomfortable with this idea. If I do start a new domain and a new website, should it incorporate this feature to help defray the cost of the website itself?
This one is up to you. it's Hit or miss but remember it's a Donation just make it on it's own page. this allows those who wish too..... to be able to.
But there may be a Down side as well ....Bookkeeping and Taxes remember your going to have to report this as income maybe even pay Self employment taxes on it as well.
One important thing is you set it up, do it like a business make sure to use a seprate bank account for it.. other wise Uncle Sam can audit your personal bank account info for lots of reasons.
Fel wrote:
Please, answer honestly, and remember that I am never offended by criticism.
Also, if you have any words of wisdom or other items of note that you might think pertinent, by all means, either put them here or PM them to me if you don't like the idea of putting it out where anyone can read it.
I think i covered most of it .... but if you haven't allready Check out
http://bar.baen.com check under
FAQ's the
Slush Conferences FAQ post... it lists a Motherload of useful info ....such as the copyright quote listed above.
oh and just incase you don't already know or have this info
Baen Manuscript Submission Guidelines
Dear Author: We publish only science fiction and fantasy. Writers familiar with what we have published in the past will know what sort of material we are most likely to publish in the future: powerful plots with solid scientific and philosophical underpinnings are the sine qua non for consideration for science fiction submissions. As for fantasy, any magical system must be both rigorously coherent and integral to the plot, and overall the work must at least strive for originality.
Those manuscripts which survive the "first cut" as outlined above are then judged primarily on plot and characterization.
Style: Simple is generally better; in our opinion good style, like good breeding, never calls attention to itself.
Payment rates: very competitive.
Preferred length: 100,000 - 130,000 words. Generally we are uncomfortable with manuscripts under 100,000 words, but if your novel is really wonderful send it along regardless of length.
Submission procedures:
Query letters are not necessary. We prefer to see complete manuscripts accompanied by a synopsis. We prefer not to see simultaneous submissions.
Electronic Submissions:
Electronic submissions are strongly preferred.
Send to slush@baen.com . No disks unless requested.
Attach the manuscript as a Rich Text Format (.rtf) file. Any other format will not be considered.
Send the manuscript as a single file (do not break it into separate chapter files).
Your submission must include your name, email address*, postal mailing address, and telephone number on both your cover letter and the first page of the manuscript. *[If you have an alternate permanent email address, please include it in case your primary account changes or goes out of service.] Include a plot outline if possible.
Spelling checkers and grammar checkers are tools, nothing more. Do not trust them to proofread your manuscript for you.
Minimal formatting, please. Do not format text boxes or sidebars into the manuscript; use block quotes. Indent paragraphs with a left tab; center chapter headers and scene break indicators (###, ***, etc.); use page breaks only at the ends of chapters. For emphasis, choose underline or italics and use it throughout. Try to avoid bold face, as it tends not to show up.
Do not use "smart quotes"/curly quotes, or single-character ellipses, m-dashes, etc. These often show as codes, not characters, when read on other systems. Use straight quotes and apostrophes, . . . , --, etc.
Avoid non-standard fonts and unnecessary changes in font face, size, etc. Publisher likes CG Omega and Lucida Bright. Typesetter likes any standard bookface, Times Roman or Courier. Make it readable, or we won't read it. If something needs special formatting--e.g., small caps for a certain entity's dialog--explain it in a cover letter.
Include, if you like, your ideal cover treatment, including cover copy, a teaser page, and whatever else you would like. (But don't try to "sell" the story in a cover letter. It will stand or fall on its own merits.)
After submitting, send email/postal address changes, and any queries, to e-editors@baen.com.
NOTE: Any viruses attached to your submission will send your manuscript straight into the bit-bucket.
Hardcopy Submissions (for those who cannot submit electronically):
Standard manuscript format only: double-spaced, one side of the page only, 1 1/2" margins on all four sides of the page. We will consider photocopies if they are dark and clear.
Font must be readable, or we won't read it. This means seriphed or at least semi-seriphed, 12-point or greater. Publisher likes CG Omega and Lucida Bright. Typesetter likes any standard bookface, Times Roman or Courier.
Title, author (last name only is okay), and page number at the top of each page are mandatory. Include your name, mailing address, and telephone number on the first page.
All submissions should be accompanied by a stamped return envelope. Submissions from outside the U.S. should be accompanied by sufficient International Reply Coupons.
Please send manuscripts to
Baen Books
P.O. Box 1403
Riverdale, NY 10471
Reporting time: usually within 9 to 12 Months. (Sorry, we get a lot of manuscripts.)
Thank you for thinking of Baen Books.
The Editors
hope this helps
Phantom