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Going abroad: Collecting tickets (was Re: Dealing with the real fish? problem)

Luke,

	I have suggested a broader reader base privately, but as most are
aware, the tickets for this ride are high priced. You'll likely collect
a few rejection slips, though they are mostly called something else.
Just hang in there though, when you do get a bite it can take you to
more and more readers, but it takes time.
	Robert's efforts are a good example. He is well on the way to ringing
the brass bell with a generalized publication of the type you speak of.
More of us should do the same. I certainly want to follow his lead in
NFC, but also in WHAT he does to deserve his recognition, that is the
hard work of shaping a slice of reality for his reader to share for a
moment.

	A word of caution: NEVER, EVER write under an assumed name with the
publisher having the rights to not only what you write, but to the name
as well if you want to be recognized for the work elsewhere later in
other forums. Depending on the conditions of the contract, you could be
barred from direct discussion of the piece at all, or even mention the
name! You really don't want to go there. You will defeat part of your
purpose to associate your name with a writing subject, and so will not
have other doors open for you as easily as they could otherwise. If they
could talk about it, other folks would validate this. It does happen.
Course if they told ya, like the spy said, they'd have to kill ya after!
HA ":)
	Also, be leery of any publisher that offers to take the article, but
wants to give credit to a "staff writer" as well, for the excuse of
"editorial content" especially.  It depends on the piece, but they might
just take your original piece, have it rewritten by a guy on the payroll
anyway, and your name may never even appear in association with the
piece. Sure, they will usually pay as agreed for your original piece,
but as far as future recognition? ... that's a chance you take with
these guys.
	These may seem like common sense things, but in the heat of negotiation
and the desire to get a piece published, costly mistakes are made,
especially if a person is just getting into submitting stuff to
publishers, when they are easily avoided.
	Mostly though, its all about waiting patiently for the mail for a few
WEEKS, then finally getting a note about your stuff being "one of the
better cookbook's I've read this week", when you didn't mention a recipe
in the piece (except for that long section on preparing what the fish
like to eat?). O well try again they say IF you're lucky and they like
your style or something.
	The above are of course general comments. In your case there is no need
for concern, cause you can certainly hold your own with any nasty old
publicist, eh? Hopefully though more junior writers will take up the
cause as well, and may need to see some of this.  ":)

	Course, the truly experienced among us could be a font of information
if they have the time for such a piece(s)?

Best of luck,

Herb



mcclurg luke e wrote:
> 
>snip< 
> ***********
>  More 'two cents' worth here...
> 
>   If we want people i.e. J.Q.P. to get the message then let's start going
> to them.  Roberts and others articles are EXCELLENT but how are they
> reaching the NON-aquaria world?  Let's consider other publications (a one
> page advertisement--or the "Ditch" article in such publications as
> 'Outdoor Life', 'Rod N' Reel', REDBOOK (don't laugh, that article would
> get plenty of their readers going...) and that's just a FEW possibilities.
> Maybe it's not financially feasible now for such publications, but what
> about the local or regional journals.  I plan on trying to get something
> to a couple of Agriculturally based regional magazines in Kansas this
> year.  Probably just a note about the NFC or a copy of 'The Flier' but it
> will be a start.  As well as sending stuff to area schools, politicians,
> and county extension agents.  Debate is great, articles are wonderful, but
> let's not get locked into the idea that our only medium for expression is
> in the pages (paper or electronic) of Aquaria based forums.
> 
> end sermon,  :-)
> 
> Luke
> 
> P.S.  It only works if we MAKE it work.
> 
> LM
> 
> >
> > Keep up the fight Robert!
> >
> > Cheers
> > Peter Unmack
> >
> >
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