GLAWS is Back!

The Greater Los Angeles Writers Society Special Speaker Event returned to the Venice Public Library  https://locator.lacounty.gov/lac/Location/3176718/los-angeles-public-library—venice—abbot-kinney-memorial-branch

Actually, it was there last month, but due to a car shortage in the family, I was not able to attend.

This month’s topic was, “Traditional, Hybrid, Self-Publishing.  Which is Right for You.”

The panel was monitored by Elaine Ash, editor and author of the book Bestseller Metrics. 

On the panel was literary agent, Steve Hudson.  He represented traditional publishing, whether it’s the through the Big Five or smaller publishers.  If you go this route, a publisher will print, publish and distribute your book.  They may also do some editing, but your book should be 80% ready to go.  They won’t charge you for services, but you need to hire an editor to get your book up to that 80%.  That’s where someone like Elaine Ash comes in.

Sharmyn McGraw has self-published her book, “Dying to Date”, a murder mystery.  She didn’t want to wait for the whole process of finding an agent who then finds a publisher.  She has skills in marketing and publicity, so she felt comfortable doing this – which is what you will have to do on your own if you self-publish.

Neil V. Young (also known in GLAWS as Neil the younger) did the hybrid route.  It basically self-publishing, but with a lot of assistance.  He found his assistance through Atmospheric Press.  https://atmospherepress.com/  They offer services like editing, finding a cover artist, and formatting your book.  You retain complete creative control, but you do have to pay for the various services.

What path is right for you depends on your writing goals.  Do you have one book in you that you want to get out?  Is it for a general or niche market?  Do you want to make a career of writing?  The one thing they all have in common is that you have to start with the best book you can possibly write.  You have to learn your craft.  That’s why I’ve been in GLAWS for so many years.  I attend these Special Speaker Events, go to the writing conferences, then practice what I’ve learned and take my work to my two critique groups, one for screen writing and one or novel writing.

October 25 will be the next Special Speaker Event, again at the Venice Library.

In November there will be no meeting because GLAWS will be at Loscon  https://loscon.org/

And in December we will have our annual holiday party.

Hope to see you at all these events.

Dennis

288th blog completed.

Second Steampunk novel: 17,747 words.  Chapter Five done.

Second Steampunk screenplay:  157 pages.

First Steampunk screenplay:  Updated with notes from the novelization.

First Steampunk novel:  77,546 words.  Completed until an editor reviews it.

Third Steampunk screenplay:  38 pages.

“Tonight’s experiment was No-Boil Mac and Cheese.  https://www.campbells.com/recipes/no-boil-cheddar-mac-cheese/?

This came out really well and very easy to make.  Just throw it together and put it in the oven.  My only recommendation would be a little more time in the oven at the end to brown the Panko bread crumbs.  Other that that, it was a hit.  Most Mac and Cheese recipes call for Cheddar and Mozzarella, but if you just want a stronger Cheddar flavor, you might want to give this one a try.

And we just can’t stop making those Amish Onion Fritters.” – Vincent Reinhart