POLITICS OF POETRY: After the first read, I was inclined to nod and say, Ain't that the stinkin' truth?! Then a second read and added reflections: Well, maybe part of the truth. the words help create the poet who at their best help make the world just a little bit more sane place in which to live.
Thank you for your words and for helping to make the world just a little bit more sane place in which to live.
Aberjhani
The written word is a very powerful medium -- and we never know when someone will read and our work will be heard; so, I think words are very important. R
Do not despair, sometimes poets write to those that cannot read or to blinds by choice.
For thousands of years there wasn't a written rocord of anything, yet, the knowledge was handed down, the poems recited by generation after generation and music sung through the eons.
Until someone decided to put it down in a piece of stone or on soft clay, poets had no a name.
Great piece.
Georg
Reviewed by Andy Turner (Reader)
Reviewed on April 7, 2007
Oftentimes I write a rant, then burn it.. Most cathartic thing to do..
Hits, look at your stats.. Many love to read, yet are intimidated to write a review. And I can understand that, my first time I shook like milk, in a shake..
lovely and touching write about a topic we all are concerned with. just keep going and, as Doc says, 'scribblin'. either you like to or you don't. cheers
Oh, how I wish that being read was synonymous with financial security. Truth is, even best-selling novelists and non-fiction authors largely depend on other sources of income. The average published writers' income is something like $1,200 a year!! Doesn't keep it from hurting when people you know to be fans of the genre you write in don't buy. But it just isn't possible to buy all the books one wants. For my part, I resolved long ago to buy as many books as I possibly could -- especially poetry -- in other words,to put my money where my mouth is! Irony is that were I in a different profession, I'd have a much greater chance of earning that kind of money. As it is, I am forced to wait. . .and wait. . .and wait. Meantime, I am letting friends and colleagues down. Wonderful authors I will never have the privilege of knowing, as well. Hurts.
Many, many challenges are involved re getting work into magazines and journals {let alone get books published the traditional way}. Postage costs more and more. Need to use decent paper. Market guides inevitably contain errors. Turn-around time ranges from a few weeks to over a year. [Editors have their reasons for forbidding simultaneous submissions, but to tell the truth, I have stopped caring. For a 20-year-old, the odds suck, and I am waaaaaaaaaaaay past 20.]. Also true, as another reviewer suggested, that some editors consider forum posts to be "publication." Won't consider "reprints." Then there is the fact that every publication has its particular needs and tastes. It is important to read a publication before submitting, but that would mean buying a copy each time, and the cost. . .ayeeeeeiiiyyyyyiiiiiii.}
Karla, you would not believe the amount of money I have spent submitting manuscripts. That is only one of the many expenses that are involved. Then there is the constant editing and re-editing. Real estate's "location, location, location" re writing equals "revise, revise, revise."
Taking way too much time and space, but I want you to know that
I totally relate. Get d o w n. Been down more than up. Nevertheless, I feel -- no, know --THAT IT IS THE WORK THAT IS IMPORTANT. DOING IT FOR LOVE. As for being read, I admit that I sometimes resent knowing my work is passed hand to hand rather than readers suggesting that others buy my books or copies of the various publications my work appears in. Right now I have a new book out. It is crucial at this point that it do well. It will take a lot of public readings and spreading the word over H'n'gone. Happened with my nonfiction book, be ten times as hard re poetry. We only have so much time and energy, don't we. Readings tend to take quite a toll if, like me, you get the shakes. Rather be beaten with a stick!
Hope this rant helps a little.
Chin up, luv!
Poem's great, by the way.
Clear and to the point!
I'm rootin' for ya!! All of us are !!
Luv 'n' Hugs,
Pea
I hope I did not upset you with my write this morning but your poem here if anything (and I hope I am right)echoes mine and I think we are both on the same wave length. We write for the love of words if others love our words that is good but it does not have to be determining factor as to wether our writes are special or not, for each is special to our own hearts. Keep on writing...
Fee
Reviewed by Dennis Leischner (Reader)
Reviewed on April 7, 2007
Karla
There is a good message in your poem. We write because we write...we have words and ideas and feelings and things to express. They will be read.
Dennis
It is the satisfaction that one receives through reviews and responses of others which matters most....
Reviewed by Elizabeth Taylor (Reader)
Reviewed on April 7, 2007
When you get down to it, all writing is a struggle, when you factor in editing, polishing, changing. Robert Frost is one of my favorite poets. It is said it sometimes took him a year to write a poem. The thing is, if you want to publish, and if a work has been published online, most publishers won't touch you. We write to suit ourselves anyway, so enjoy your endeavors.
Karla you are right to a point. However, keep in mind that most professional poets do not write online poetry boards with a poem every day. We get a lot of reads when you think about it, in our den family on AD. People don't have to read us, and when they do it's because they want to. I find that is a great compliment to us. Your poetry is blossoming, so just keep writing and forget about who does or doesn't read. Excellent poem!
No, we are not all professionals, but we all are in the same game, on the same team called Writing. We are not all good at it, but we write, because we love to, we want to, we HAVE to. It's our passion, our blood, in some cases, our livlihood--mainly our passion. You pen thought provoking words here; very well done! BRAVA!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your twin sis, Karen Lynn. :D
And KEEP ON WRITING!!! Don't EVER stop!! As long as you write, I will read! :)
Karla, NO poet is writing for a living. Poetry is not well received in the writer's market. Most folks who write poetry write it to vent or to leave a homespun legacy to their family and loved ones. I write poetry to supplement my professional writing. My traffic on my AD site comes from many, many different venues that I have placed myself in over the years and built a readership. I will say it again, Authors Den ALONE is NOT going to sell books or demand a huge audience. AD offers Goldmembers the tools to market their books, that is ALL! Just friendships alone on AD DOES NOT benefit an author! From my experience, Authors Den members DO NOT buy or support other authors in their creative endeavors on this site. Every time my newly posted works are posted on AD, I send out bulletins on MYSPACE and to my professional collegues at NEXTCAT and JPIC FORUM and JOURNALSPACE and a half a dozen other writing venues to funnel them here. If you ever read AD's Roundtable, Matt will tell you the percentage of titles clicked on which is about I think he said 4 percent are actually bought! That is poverty for a starving artist. It is reality!! To make a living in writing, one has to put their art in other venues and spin-off products such as jewelery, pottery, art works of graphics depicted in novels, greeting cards, promo book cover mouse pads, posters, glassware, pottery, boardgames...Another thing, authors do not do enough in marketing. A marketing campaign should be first put into place before an author even begins to write for an audience. Who are you writing for? Can I make my name a household word? Do I have something that will draw my readers to emotion? Am I current with what is going on in the world; religion, politics, environment, spiritual currents? Have I made network connections to other industry professionals who will support my ideas and my Dreams...??? For those who are writing casually for a hobby and not career writers, the hits, readership, and trackers you receive at AD is appropriate for this one AD site and if you are not putting your name out there in other venues to funnel your readers here (established through like-minded readers and writers of your genre in webrings, building other websites and networking with other writers' groups).
Sage
*****POSTED IN ROUND TABLE BY MATT MILLER, OWNER OF AUTHORS DEN
This % varies.
The number of visitors to a page resulting in book sales vary by author, book and subject throughout the year.
Generally speaking, authors with multiple published books in a specific category (children, self help, poetry, romance, business, etc.) tend to out sell authors with one book, or authors that publish books in many different categories.
Overall, throughout AuthorsDen (as a whole) when a visitor clicks on a link to purchase a book about 4% (more or less) are converted into a book sale. I say more or less, because some months are higher and others a little lower.
Of course, the highest time of year is over the Holidays.
You are right dear friend...you keep writing and I'll keep reading! Though we are not all professionals we are humans with a common interest and a unique bond. Enjoyed this much! Write on and be blessed!
Happy Easter and blessings from Kentucky,
Joyce Bowling
This is my personal inspirational book of poetry. It contains many poems written for family, friends, and relevant life situations. Hopefully you will find some that will encourage and inpsire you in whatever arena you are found in your circle of l
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Thank you for your words and for helping to make the world just a little bit more sane place in which to live.
Aberjhani
Smiles,
Sharon
Thanks for sharing yours!!
Love Tinka
not being read
I think they are important as long as the writer thinks they are, even if no one ever reads them. Writing is Good for the Soul.
For thousands of years there wasn't a written rocord of anything, yet, the knowledge was handed down, the poems recited by generation after generation and music sung through the eons.
Until someone decided to put it down in a piece of stone or on soft clay, poets had no a name.
Great piece.
Georg
Hits, look at your stats.. Many love to read, yet are intimidated to write a review. And I can understand that, my first time I shook like milk, in a shake..
Be safe,
Karen
Many, many challenges are involved re getting work into magazines and journals {let alone get books published the traditional way}. Postage costs more and more. Need to use decent paper. Market guides inevitably contain errors. Turn-around time ranges from a few weeks to over a year. [Editors have their reasons for forbidding simultaneous submissions, but to tell the truth, I have stopped caring. For a 20-year-old, the odds suck, and I am waaaaaaaaaaaay past 20.]. Also true, as another reviewer suggested, that some editors consider forum posts to be "publication." Won't consider "reprints." Then there is the fact that every publication has its particular needs and tastes. It is important to read a publication before submitting, but that would mean buying a copy each time, and the cost. . .ayeeeeeiiiyyyyyiiiiiii.}
Karla, you would not believe the amount of money I have spent submitting manuscripts. That is only one of the many expenses that are involved. Then there is the constant editing and re-editing. Real estate's "location, location, location" re writing equals "revise, revise, revise."
Taking way too much time and space, but I want you to know that
I totally relate. Get d o w n. Been down more than up. Nevertheless, I feel -- no, know --THAT IT IS THE WORK THAT IS IMPORTANT. DOING IT FOR LOVE. As for being read, I admit that I sometimes resent knowing my work is passed hand to hand rather than readers suggesting that others buy my books or copies of the various publications my work appears in. Right now I have a new book out. It is crucial at this point that it do well. It will take a lot of public readings and spreading the word over H'n'gone. Happened with my nonfiction book, be ten times as hard re poetry. We only have so much time and energy, don't we. Readings tend to take quite a toll if, like me, you get the shakes. Rather be beaten with a stick!
Hope this rant helps a little.
Chin up, luv!
Poem's great, by the way.
Clear and to the point!
I'm rootin' for ya!! All of us are !!
Luv 'n' Hugs,
Pea
Fee
There is a good message in your poem. We write because we write...we have words and ideas and feelings and things to express. They will be read.
Dennis
Good work, BTW...
Elizabeth
Love,
Eileen
Hugss to you.
No, we are not all professionals, but we all are in the same game, on the same team called Writing. We are not all good at it, but we write, because we love to, we want to, we HAVE to. It's our passion, our blood, in some cases, our livlihood--mainly our passion. You pen thought provoking words here; very well done! BRAVA!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your twin sis, Karen Lynn. :D
And KEEP ON WRITING!!! Don't EVER stop!! As long as you write, I will read! :)
Carmen
Sage
*****POSTED IN ROUND TABLE BY MATT MILLER, OWNER OF AUTHORS DEN
This % varies.
The number of visitors to a page resulting in book sales vary by author, book and subject throughout the year.
Generally speaking, authors with multiple published books in a specific category (children, self help, poetry, romance, business, etc.) tend to out sell authors with one book, or authors that publish books in many different categories.
Overall, throughout AuthorsDen (as a whole) when a visitor clicks on a link to purchase a book about 4% (more or less) are converted into a book sale. I say more or less, because some months are higher and others a little lower.
Of course, the highest time of year is over the Holidays.
Hope this helps.
Matt
AuthorsDen
Happy Easter and blessings from Kentucky,
Joyce Bowling