It’s my turn in the latest AW blogchain and I’m following the fabulous Aruna – possibly better known as author Sharon Maas, one of many published authors who contribute to the Absolute Write forums.
It seems that many people assume that writers’ forums must be made up of writing wannabes – unpublished, untalented hopefuls – many of whom will never quite cut the mustard in the publishing world. That may be true of some sites, but not this one.
Aruna blogged about The Crack of Death, a book written deliberately badly to expose a scam publisher. It follows in the footsteps of Atlanta Nights, a similar project written to expose Publish America. But these books are only part of the contribution the published and unpublished authors alike contribute to the forum, and to the wider writing community. AW’s own “Bewares and Background Checks” provides a safe environment to ask questions about the validity (or otherwise) of potential agents or publishers. Two other AWers, Victoria Strauss and AC Crispin are active in exposing and prosecuting scam agents and publishers – they run the Writer Beware blog and web-site. Another site worthy of mention is Preditors and Editors, co-ordinated by yet another AWer, Dave Kuzminski.
One thing that has always amazed me about this community is the generosity and time and patience these incredible people have with folks like me, complete newbies who (let’s be honest) are fairly clueless about how this business works and who ask some very basic questions.
But time and again, people reply – patiently answering and re-answering the same questions. And every time they do, people go away wiser and more knowledgable about the industry. And they do it, not for some altruistic motive, but because they really want to make a contribution and a difference to people’s lives.
I’ve been lucky in my career to be involved with some mentors who took the same attitude. Through them I grew, as a professional and as a person. I gained confidence in myself and my abilities.
For every one mentor there are hundreds, possibly thousands of people who are not. But for every one mentor, a whole group of individuals can grow and learn and pass on their gifts to others.
To those people who choose Calvino’s second path, I would like to say simply Thank You. You may not always realize it, but you make a difference, and I appreciate it.
Peggy’s up next, with her blog The Road Less Traveled. Don’t forget to go over and check it out.
A View From the Waterfront
Just a Small Town Girl
Gillian’s Journal
Writing From Within
Down From the Garrett
Curiouser and curiouser
The Road Less Traveled
BTGC Production Log
NVNC ID VIDES, NVNC NE VIDES
Fireflies in the Cloud
I gotta say, AW has been nothing short of amazing for me. I’ve met incredible people, made awesome friends (like you
) and I’ve learned more about things like writing and crafting a story and the business behind publishing, and everything in between.
One of the best things about AW is how you’ll be asking some silly question, thinking you’ll get snarky replies, and before you know it, published members are patiently explaining something they’ve explained a thousand times before. And as-yet-unpublished members are chiming in with advice or expanding on the question.
Sometimes humbling, sometimes uplifting, always inspiring!
It’s the best obession any writer can have.
Sometimes it feels like I’ve received the equivalent of a college education in the publishing business since I’ve been a member of AW. It’s also great to have discussions with people who care about the written word as much as I do. My post in the chain is up here.
I have to agree. I have learned so much from my time at AW. I still have a LOT to learn though :p. I figure the day I stop learning,they will be putting me in the ground.
It’s all of this and fun
.
I, too, have grown thanks to people like YOU on AW!
Thank you for helping to shape me as a writer!
Peace be with you!
I’ve been drifting away from AW lately, but that’s mostly because of my insane work schedule. That’s why I’m glad it’s finally my turn. I need the place.
AW is a terrific resource and it’s been a real hoot to watch, and be part of, its development from dozens of members to thousands.
It’s nice to know that some of us old farts are appreciated and even nicer to realize that with a good, enthusiastic crop of newcomers like yourself, we can retire in a few years and leave the place in capable hands.