Ghost Orchid by DK Christi

With Fathers' Day around the corner, a story that will warm a father's heart.

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Suncoast Writers' Guild of Englewood

Posted on June 8, 2010 at 10:18 PM  

I have spent most of my writing career in solitude barring the occasional post to a writers' forum or the mandatory promotional events.  Saturday, I had a taste of what I've been missing in not associating with my colleagues in a regular meeting.

The Suncoast Writers' Guild of Englewood members arrived at the Art League of Englewood on a hot, Saturday morning for their business meeting and monthly speaker.  In this case, I was the speaker.  My topic:  The Publishing Puzzle, Picking up the Pieces.

I had a wonderful time.  The audience was interactive and asked probing questions that added to the camaraderie.  They were absolutely delightful.  In support of my thesis that the industry is changing drastically and rapidly because of technology; two newspapers were represented, one an online only local.

As I enjoyed the conversation and the camaraderie I also realized that writing doesn't have to be a lonely endeavor.  There are wonderful writing groups in every nook and corner where ideas can be tried out, work critiqued, and general support received.

When anyone can post an ebook at Kindle or Smashwords, all its flaws included, it makes quality work by authors even more important:  the cream needs to rise to the top as the market is flooded with books being not vetted by a bonified publisher.  The good news is that great content doesn't need to wait for a publisher's stamp of approval; the author can instantly see their work in ebooks or print from their own efforts without anyone in the middle. I just posted a Kindle, Amour, a collection of six of my own short stories.

Of course, many authors are still publishing the traditional way with editors and publishers making certain the quality product is what reaches the readers; but technology and price considerations are eroding that model.  Some publishers are only publishing ebooks!

Surviving the changes may require even more support among quality authors, seasoned and up and coming.  Promotion may require collaborations and connections not conceived before.  Creativity in marketing is mandatory in the new environment.  Authors joining together may be one avenue.

So, I thank the gracious members of this writing group for reminding me that I do not write alone; many authors are struggling along with me and joining each other for mutual support.  I may look in my local area for a place of my own.