Here's some recent mail we've received: Subj: Your novel
From: davowens@earthlink.net (davowens@earthlink.com)
To: Silverdew7@aol.com Hello. I don't like to intrude much on other people's lives, so there's no need to reply if you don't feel like it. I just downloaded your novel "The Orange Phoenix" and liked it, and I thought that E-Pulp might be open to one or two things I've written. So I was wondering: Are you satisfied with your relationship with E-Pulp? Have they pretty much dealt straight with you? Have you moved many copies of your novels? Would you recommend E-Pulp to other writers? Okay, enough. Like I said, there's no need to reply if it's not convenient or if you just don't feel like it. and the response...Subj: Fwd: Your novel
To: davowens@earthlink.net Hi Dave, To the contrary, it's always nice to talk with a fellow writer, and I'm in the habit of making the time. Regarding e-pulp, I will not couch my remarks: they are rather poor. I signed my Phoenix contract with them about three years ago (a contract which I had to alter due to their omnipotent wording), and have seen next to no money from them. I worked very hard with Bonnie Nixon and Robin Danek and a freelance editor they hired named Dave Morris, but they didn't seem willing to take suggestions about improving things. I have not visited the site in many months now, but I'll wager they haven't changed much. I understand they are relatively new, but vision is not something automatically granted by age. Enough. You have my personal thanks and gratitude for trying the book. I will be happy to talk with you further and help in any way I can. If you wish to send material to e-pulp, maintain your creative goals and do not be disheartened. At first I had visions of the site exploding into popularity and my enovels becoming frequent downloads, but the slow-moving e-pulp was quickly passed by the Big Guys (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, heck, even AOL and Mother Nature have offered free book downloads), and their timely idea in 1997 has become a 2000 norm, handled and marketed much better by almost anyplace else. You are the captain of your own work, and I, a fellow captain, can only advise which harbors to steer it toward, and which to avoid. Our material, however, is built differently. Different ships, if you will. Where to dock is an eternal conundrum! Sometimes the first harbor to grant you port--tempting as it may be--may only serve to delay you. Judge the editors and agents whom you might entrust with your work by their enthusiasm for your work. Do they view books as mere bricks to help them build the tower of their reputation and finances? Or do they respect books and the artistic, unaltered vision of the writer? I have babbled. Forgive me. Best regards,
Francis DiPietro Subj: seeking guidance
From: WYRICKEAPOE
To: Silverdew7 Hello, Like yourself I am an author, but I have not yet been published as I am seeking a literary agent. Do you have any advice? J S Wyrick and the response...Subj: Fwd: seeking guidance
To: WYRICKEAPOE
Hi JS,
My best advice is to come up with a targeted list of 15-25 agencies that handle the type of material you've written (you can develop such a list by using books such as Writer's Market 2000, Literary Marketplace, the Jeff Herman guides, etc.). Send a simultaneous proposal (not more than two pages) telling them about yourself and your project, always including SASE. Using this method there's a decent chance someone will get back to you and ask to see your book. Remember to avoid any "editing" services and agencies that charge fees for "evaluation". Most of all, stay creative and keep up the good work!
Best regards,
Francis DiPietro |
