This column is based on conversations or debates in a forum board that is widely used by writers online. In the last week a heated and frankly insulting debate that has been going on for some time, has escalated further then this writer ever imagined it would.
In fact quoting one poster,
“No offense to poetry, but no one buys it except other poets... but poetry books are meant to be sold out of the back of the Honda.”
Please, this is not only offensive and insulting to a poet, but it puts down all writers in general. After all, most writers that write a variety of writing has had there hands and, or their beginnings in some form of poetry, whether they have written it or was inspired by it. I know for myself that poetry really inspired me to take being a writer more aggressively. It was the first thing that really got me writing on a serious level. In my opinion anyone who can make a statement such as the quote I included, really needs to rethink his or her own writing ability. Shakespeare was not only a great play-write, he was known as being poetic and he was not along in this. There are so many poets I could mention both past and present, that have went on to be known for many styles of writing. However, that list is so long that I’ll just leave it up to the reader to discover them all on his or her own.
The heart of a poet, is the revealing of that individuals soul. Expression of life, deep feelings, and the observation of the world one lives in, is reflected in what a poet writes. Writing poetry has inspired me to write love stories and explore other creative writings. I have written a chapbook and now a regular printed book of poetry. To explain a poet and their poetry would really take a full fledged book, because there are so many perspectives and descriptions thereof.
Let’s talk about POD publishing.(print on demand)
It seems to be that if you POD in any shape or form you are not considered an author/writer in good standing with any creditability. In fact there seems to be a double standard going on among writers in regards to what merit you have as an Author according to what POD you go with to publish your book. When the statement from the traditional publishers is that any POD author is subject to not being considered creditable. So my question is, what makes the difference to what POD/vanity/chapbook printer/publisher you go with?
The differences I see are that you get companies that want to charge you nominal fees up front and then in order for you to get copies of your own book you have to buy them. Oh sure, you may get from 2 to 20 books in the beginning with no additional cost, but any books there after, has to be bought. Then you have those who don’t ask for any money up front, but you have to buy your own copyrights and ISBN number.
So its up to you as the writer/author to what you can afford and what you are willing to do. Read all contracts completely. Make sure you understand what you may possibly sign up for. Then decide what fits you best. You may even find that because you did all the research and read through countless contracts, that you’d rather hold out on going POD at all. In fact, you might consider that you would like to stay in line behind all inspiring authors/writers and wait for your ship to c