Cobwebs Of The Mind

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Depravity, Disgust and Stupidity - Passing Ignorance Around Like A Venereal Disease.

They have logos and pictures. Posts and opinions. Now they have their very own Swastika.

This is not going to be a "nice" post. Indeed in the old movie cliche from the movie "Network":

"I am mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore."

Is this post about writing? In a way it is. It is about writing and ethics and morals. It is about hate symbols and depravity. It is about stupidity and disgust.

For whatever it is worth, the forum, Absolute Write, is visited by quite a few people. Thousands to be more exact. Members, non-members, and others looking for information on writers, publishing, agents etc. It is somewhat respected. And I guess one expects that writers, authors and those trying to be authors are gifted with a modicum of intelligence. Well that expectancy was just proved wrong.

Am I being touchy? Sensitive? You better believe it. Damn straight I am. I do not find anything funny, intelligent, cute or innocent about displaying a symbol in a signature that represents the most heinous chapter in modern human history. The current owners and Mods at Absolute Write seem to have their own agendas at times, yet they do ban, or selectively ban (for days or weeks) or put people on time-outs when things get out of hand. That is their right and certainly required from time to time.

"Getting out of hand" seems to be an incredibly selective issue though. You can imagine how the hair stood up on the back of my neck when I was perusing a thread and suddenly find in one of the members signatures at Absolute Write (someone calling themselves Bartholomew) a neatly placed Swastika. (And I will not honor this fool with a link. Swastika's are not easy to miss, especially when half your family was wiped out and made into soap for all that it represents to the mind of modern man.) I looked and looked again, because I simply could not believe my eyes. Only someone who is truly sick and truly incapable of understanding the absolute horror of such things would have the absolute stupidity of placing a Swastika with a link no less on their signature.

At first I thought it may be a link to a book written by the person in question. Something on their book cover. Something innocent. Something inane. Something to try and get people to go to his web site or blog to purchase his new thriller on Nazi Germany or something along those lines. Innocent. Stupid but innocent. But sadly even before I clicked on the link, I knew that the work that went into presenting this symbol was way beyond any "innocence". I knew it was just a sick attempt of a depraved mind.

Long ago I have learned not to deal with the swastika bearers. They are sick, depraved, full of hate and often, as in this case, just a frustrated child looking for attention.

Some things you just do not hide. Some things you just do not walk away from. There are times when no matter how much respect one has for some of those who visit and partake in the Absolute Write forum - that something must be said. Yet symbols are powerful. In one small moment they express a wealth - indeed a whole world of thought and philosophy. The ADL (Anti-Defamation League) maintains a whole database on hate symbols. Would Absolute Write have let someone post a White-Power Ku Klux Klan symbol? Or would the mods allow someone to put a racist epitaph in their signature?

Even if this symbol is removed - the very fact it was up for more than 5 minutes and even 5 minutes is way too long, (and Absolute Write is moderated 24 hours a day) shows something extremely wrong and rotten at the core. It not only shows a lack of sensitivity - that is allowed of course - it shows a total ignorance and indeed a complete lack of understanding what such symbols represent.

But where the hell are the police mods who seem to be all over when heaven forbid, someone says something not to their liking? Where the hell are the "open-minded" people who run this board? Could it be that if you say something not kind about Absolute Write you will get banned but showing a swastika is considered "freedom of speech"? Why was this person not banned IMMEDIATELY and then told that if he wants to come back to an adult board - he sure as hell better play nicely? What pills are the moderators taking at Absolute Write to allow such depravity on their board?

Even if this symbol is removed - the very fact it was up for more than 5 minutes and even 5 minutes is way too long, (and Absolute Write is moderated 24 hours a day) shows something extremely wrong and rotten at the core. It not only shows a lack of sensitivity - that is allowed of course - it shows a total ignorance and indeed a complete lack of understanding what such symbols represent. Has the collective mind of those that run Absolute Write taken a break and gone out to lunch? Even with the most cynical feelings I can muster here, I just refuse to believe that those that run Absolute Write would place their approval or even allow such a thing to take place on their board.

We are not talking about a rare poster here. This guy with the lovely swastika is all over the board and even claims to be an editor for one of the "local" literary mags. represented by this board.

Let me make this clear. This does not appear in a discussion or a thread. This symbol of all that is depraved, appears at the bottom of every single post that the owner of this signature makes. In every thread in every post on all the boards. In every post he made throughout his entire sojourn at Absolute Write. A swastika to make it all pretty.

A swastika? A real true evil incarnate Nazi swastika? On a signature at Absolute Write Writer Forum? From a real member? In threads where Mods answer so they must have seen it!

No matter what the reason, no matter what the purpose, (and here even reading the link the purpose alludes me except to make me understand that this is truly a child's call for attention), there are some things which really should be monitored.

Am I being touchy? Sensitive?

YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT. DAMN STRAIGHT I AM. I DO NOT FIND ANYTHING FUNNY, INTELLIGENT, CUTE OR INNOCENT ABOUT DISPLAYING A SYMBOL IN A SIGNATURE THAT REPRESENTS THE MOST HEINOUS CHAPTER IN MODERN HUMAN HISTORY.

Only someone who is truly sick and truly incapable of understanding the absolute horror of such things would have the absolute stupidity of placing a Swastika with a link no less on their signature. Depraved. Anyone with a mind and any sort of ethical standard has to walk away shaking their head in disgust at the sheer utter stupidity of it all.

In the end it is just very sad. Truly very sad.

Demanding an apology is ridiculous. Absolute Write will run itself the way it deems is right and ethically correct. Some things you just do not hide. Some things you just do not walk away from. There are times when no matter how much respect one has for some of those who visit and partake in the Absolute Write forum - that something must be said.

As one friend quoted her husband after seeing this:

They're passing ignorance around like a venereal disease.

There are some things I guess I will never understand. There are some times when ignorance is no longer an excuse.

Perhaps the only thing that can be said is as follows:

"Shame on you Absolute Write. Shame on you for allowing such a thing to take place on your forum and not countering it immediately without any questions or excuses. Shame on you."

Posts In This Series:

Posted On: Cobwebs Of The Mind

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Jerusalem International Book Fair - Flashlight Press

Every two years there is an international book fair that takes place in Jerusalem know as the Jerusalem International Book Fair. It used to be a fairly decent event where publishers from all over the world came to show off their books and do business.

The Jerusalem International Book Fair was extremely disappointing from all facets - readers, authors and publishers. But there are always one or two gems to make up for the disappointment. I cannot tell you what goes on behind the scenes because I have no idea. What I can say in that as time goes on this book fair becomes less and less of an event and seems to have been turned into some large book sell fair mostly populated by the ever growing list of Israeli book publishers. It was very disappointing, and certainly those who have two whole years to arrange this event should be fired and some new blood with some sort of ambitious planning should be brought in to make this fair and conference into the event it used to be.

Certainly a public which has a great deal of readers and writers should be given something a bit more than just a glorified book store when taking the time to view the events in the world of publishing and literature.

Needless to say I was more than somewhat disappointed, almost to the point of really being embarrassed by what this Conference used to be to what it has become today.

But there are always one or two gems to make up for the disappointment.

All that being said, of course, as the nature of things, I did meet up with some people whom I have not seen in a long time and got a chance to shmooze and keep up with the world at large. One such person whom I have known for the better part of 30 years is Shari Dash Greenspan an extremely talented literary, visual and graphic arts woman who is now an editor at a small publishing house called Flashlight Press. Shari is the editor of picture story books for children - in the words on her business card - "picture story books that explore and illuminate".

Flashlight Press is situated in New York City and you can go to their web site, Flashlight Press to check out their list of books.

Flashlight Press is a normative press open to all sorts of well-written books in their genre. In speaking with Shari she told me that she always open to reading new manuscripts from authors and illustrators (so take heart here folks - here is a publishing house where you can reach the editor directly if you are writing picture story books!) You do not need an agent to get Shari to read your works either.

Flashlight Press is actively seeking picture story books that explore and illuminate The web site of Flashlight Press has all you need to know about contacting them including Submission Guidelines for both Authors & Illustrators. Many of the books at Flashlight Press have won a series of awards, which should give you an idea as to the seriousness of this publisher.

Their mission statement reads as follows:

To explore and illuminate the touching and humorous moments of family situations and social interactions through captivating writing and outstanding illustrations. Two to four original picture books are scheduled for publication each year.

I threatened to post a picture of Shari on the blog - but in order to keep my head on my shoulders, I have posted some of the book covers with links (click on the cover) to the absolutely charming books published by Flashlight Press. If you are a parent, or if you are an author or illustrator looking for another market for your work, Flashlight Press is definitely worth the investment in time and a query.

Shari herself is an author of such books and very in tune with what the public is looking for in this genre. What more can you ask for? An editor whose name you know and a willing and listening ear and inquiring mind, along with an open eye to your manuscripts. You can reach Shari Dash Greenspan by clicking here.

Good Luck!

Posted On: Cobwebs Of The Mind

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Short Stories, Queries, Publishing, Agents & All The Rest

I know I write a great deal about short story submissions and publishing. Probably because over the past 18 months I have been in "short story" madness. My mind seems to want to write those stories and writing always gravitates back to them even if I force myself to concentrate to either editing or writing other WIP's.

Publishing short stories these days is a bitch. Legitimate markets are incredibly limited. Agents, rightfully so, will not handle one story at a time. Who the hell can blame them? No money in it and too much effort.

Short story collections are worse. Go ahead. Try writing a decent query letter for a short story collection even if you can find one of the rare breed of agent that will agree to look at such a query letter. Go ahead. Write it. See what I mean? Find the hook? Find the thread? Find the one line you can concentrate on and develop in your allowed 100 words?

Over the past 18 months I have had thirteen short stories published on a legitimate site on the Internet, which even charges readers to join. The Deepening publishes 10 stories a month in all genres. At the beginning I was ecstatic thinking maybe I could parlay this into a collection. And yes, as readers of Cobwebs Of The Mind know I did create the collection - "Ancient Tales, Modern Legends". And the stories were incredibly well received and written up. Beyond, as they say, "my wildest dreams".

Yet, to get an agent to look at them in terms of a collection, just to read say four or five of them and say "yeah or nay" is really a trip from hell - a herculean task of no small need for valium. I assumed though that most agents would never consider publishing even in a legitimate site as The Deepening was worth a credit.

The other day in perusing Miss Snark, I was kind of surprised and pleased when reading her reaction in a post entitled: "It's not the New Yorker but...". I am going to post the question and part of the answer by Miss Snark, but the link is here so please go over and see the whole thing. The author asked simply and to the point:

My short story was published online on the emag Johnny America. No payment was involved, just posting on the site. Now, here's the question: Am I a published author? Can I include this in my query letters?

Miss Snark said in her answer:

This is a pretty funny site. If you sent me a query letter and mentioned it I wouldn't think you were a nitwit.

Putting the snark-ism aside for just a moment, (even though such a separation of snark-ism from the blog of Miss Snark is grounds for being tarred and feathered), I found this comment to be particularly interesting.

In short, Miss Snark says that short story writers, though facing an incredible disadvantage in an already disadvantaged field of play, if published in a decent web site, e.g. a legitimate web site, can hope to count that publication as a publication credit. While this is still a real long way from having your collection of short stories published in a major publishing house, this is certainly something to take note of and remember. Legitimacy of Internet publishing credits is certainly making inroads into the world of traditional publishing.

Now don't get me wrong. If you do write short stories and are not publishing them constantly in The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, The Paris Review and others like these august names of short story writing, you still are going to have to rely on luck, prayer and stroking the rabbit's foot on your key chain to see your collection bought by a major publishing house. Indeed you are going to have to find one hell of an agent who really believes in what you write and how you write it.

But it is important to point out even without the New Yorker publishing credit, if you do have your short story published in a legitimate site, and let me repeat that word - legitimate - then you can proudly list that in your credits.

Should you continue to write short stories and not concentrate on your great novel or novels? Only if you are as crazy as I am. Collections of short stories seem to be few and far between. But one never knows when Lady Luck will strike. Or how. Or where.

As the famous Epistle by Pope reads:

Hope springs eternal in the human breast;
Man never Is, but always To be blest:
The soul, uneasy and confin'd from home,
Rests and expatiates in a life to come.

-Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man, Epistle I, 1733

Writer's Desk I Art Print
24 in. x 18 in.
Buy at AllPosters.com

Posted On: Cobwebs Of The Mind

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Scam! OMG! Look Who Pulled A Scam On Me!

So there I was all excited because over at At Last! Writer Beware Blogs!, one of the two best Scammer Police Women (Police People?) on the Internet, A.C. Crispin, posted a teaser on the blog a few days ago, Looking Forward to Valentine's Day... In that teaser she wrote:

But I thought I'd just give you a heads-up...Victoria and I have a very special treat planned for our faithful blog readers on Valentine's Day -- because we LOVE you!

So keep watching this space...

Of course great fan that I am of these two denizens of the scammers and contests that should not be contests, I figured we are all going to get a PRESENT! You know - Valentine's Day flowers or chocolate or maybe even a Mug that every time I looked at it reminded me not to fall for the sweet lines and not to delude myself. Something on these lines:

So there I was day after day checking in waiting to get a peek at my Valentine's day present. I was really excited. Hey, one Valentine's Day Gift is better than none right?

Sheesh! Talk about being scammed! NOT FAIR! I want my money back! (Oh wait. I didn't pay anything. Scratches head for a second.) I still want my money back.

So what is the present?

Well in the post, Happy Valentine's Day from Writer Beware!, these two scary ladies begin with:

Well, here it is, the Valentine's "gift" we've been promising our faithful readers for what seems like a long time now: the companion piece to our list of scuzzy agents--Writer Beware's "Two Thumbs Down" publishers list!

Sheesh! What a let down! Now since they did ask to link to the list and not copy and paste it, and since I am still hoping for my mug, I think it is important to follow the rules. As they write:

So...read and enjoy, while you nibble your Godiva truffles. Oh--and if you want to disseminate the list (and we know you will), please link to this post rather than copying and pasting.

But..but..but..but - This stuff is still kind of important. More than kind of if you are looking for an agent or publisher. I am not going to copy the list - (hint hint...where is my mug?) but I am going to just post the headlines of the SEVEN CARDINAL RULES that are posted over at At Last! Writer Beware Blogs! in the post Happy Valentine's Day from Writer Beware!.

I strongly urge anyone who is looking for an agent or publisher or into a contest make At Last! Writer Beware Blogs! a Bookmarked blog and visited often. In short "don't mess with Crispin & Strauss - just listen to them and take their advice".

The following is just the headlines of what you should be watching for. Go and read their whole post - Happy Valentine's Day from Writer Beware!

1. Fee-charging
2. Author-unfriendly contracts
3. Deliberately misleading advertising
4. Conflicts of interest
5. Lack of editorial gatekeeping
6. Poor or inadequate editing.
7. Repeated breach of contractual obligations

Now let us get back to this teaser thing. Next year for Valentine's Day we want something colorful and original. (I am putting in my order way ahead of time!) And since it was Valentine's Day below is the Valentine's Day Picture from Cobwebs Of The Mind to Writer Beware.

Thank you for all your work. Thank you for being there. Thank you for making sure without giving in to fear or intimidation that the "real information" is out there for all those who care to look for it. Thank you for trying to help.

Rose Medidative, c.1958 Art Print
Dali, Salvador
16 in. x 20 in.
Buy at AllPosters.com

The illustration above from Despair.com is linked to the poster on the original page @ Despair.com.

Posted On: Cobwebs Of The Mind

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Cobwebs Of The Mind Blog Review: Kristen King's "Inkthinker" & Etc.

I have been really bad with Cobwebs Of The Mind. Truth be told there are quite a few topics I really want to cover, but sometimes just no time. Though I have promised this before, I do hope to get back to a more normal posting schedule.

Kristen King - Cobwebs Of The Mind

This blog review is really long overdue. Of all the blogs I have reviewed Kristen King's "Inkthinker" is probably the most famous (and we are going to get to her other sites as well!). Kristen King's Inkthinker was named one of the Top 10 Blogs for Writers by white-paper guru Michael Stelzner. It also has a Google PageRank as of this review, of 5, which is impressive for a writer and freelancer. That simply means people visit her site and link to it again and again, which tells us that Kristen has information others are truly interested in.

And first thing is first though. Truth be told Kristen sent me two photographs. Of course, being me, I forgot which one she wanted me to use. So we are going to use both! (Hey, I write the reviews I get to post the pics!)

Now let us get down to our review shall we?

Kristen does not just sell herself, but wants to help others in the process. That folks is the most commendable thing of all about Kristen. A few things strike the reader of Inkthinker. First off, Kristen knows what she is writing about. This is not a fly-by-night blog with possible tips and tricks. This is a writer who knows her business of freelancing. You do not get put in the top 10 blogs for writers for just having a cute smile. Kristen knows her stuff.

The second thing that strikes the reader of Inkthinker is the wealth of information and possibilities that Kristen offers her readers. It covers the world of freelancing. She brings together the sources of conferences, courses, ideas and article possibilities. Not only in freelance but in creative writing as well.

Talk is cheap. Good writing is priceless. The third thing that strikes the reader of Inkthinker is the fact that Kristen is real. No anonymous junk here. No spewing from the mouth. Acceptance is acceptance and rejection is rejection and Kristen does not hesitate to share both feelings with her readers.

The final point that struck me, as an author of not just one blog, is how incredibly accessible Kristen makes herself to her reading public. Email addresses and even phone numbers are posted in the blog.

Kristen also has a professional newsletter which is well worth the price of signing up for since it is totally free. (And just two minutes on this blog you know that Kristen will never spam you either!) As she writes:

Kristen's Notes in the Margin newsletter for free tips, tricks, and resources for writers, editors, and the people who hire them.

Notes in the Margin also has its own web site where you can read archived back issues and articles.

Think I am done? Not by a long shot. If you are into submissions and writing the perfect query (something I have long ago given up on - my queries will forever bite the dust!) then the following is for you. For the benefit of readers here at Cobwebs Of The Mind I am quoting this in full, with the links intact, from Inkthinker:

The 2007 Inkthinker Query Challenge is in full swing, and the only thing that's missing is you!

Join a group of writers determined to get out 120 queries before the end of the 2007 calendar year.

All you have to do is e-mail me your name and blog or website URL and let me know you're in, and I'll add you to the list of Query Challenge participants.

Not only will you have the satisfaction of giving yourself 120 opportunities for writing success, but as an active participant, but you'll also be automatically entered for random prize drawings throughout the year, and you'll be eligible for the grand prize in December, awarded to the participant with the most queries.

What are you waiting for? Read the official kickoff and FAQs.

In the sidebar at Inkthinker take a look at the "The Word on the Street About Kristen King". It is impressive.

The final point that struck me, as an author of not just one blog, is how incredibly accessible Kristen makes herself to her reading public. Now we move on to another web site - "kristen king freelancing" where the header is: "talk is cheap. good writing is priceless." If you need a freelancer for your business this editor/freelancer is for you.

Need an editor? Well then take a look at "editing for everyone" where Kristen is one of the editors on staff and is her own academic editing business.

In short anything to do with writing, editing and freelancing - Kristen King is willing and able and talented enough to do it. She has established a niche in the market and she certainly has not only presented her capabilities to the public, but she has gone one step better. Kristen offers advice, tips, ideas to all those writers out there. She does not just sell herself, but wants to help others in the process. That folks is the most commendable thing of all about Kristen.

Kristen King - Cobwebs Of The Mind

Oops! Hits head. Almost forgot. I promised the other picture of Kristen. Well some things are just fun to do!

Inkthinker gets an easy Five Stars if not Ten!

Put Inkthinker on your list of blogs to visit at least once a week. At the very least! You want to write? You want to earn money writing? This is one place you must visit - constantly.

Posted On: Cobwebs Of The Mind

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

You Just Got To Love Free Advice

Beware! Long discombobulated story to follow!

So there I was actually minding my own business (which I admit is a rarity). I had to pick up the CD of photographs from my son's recent Bar Mitzvah. (Yep, I talk about that a great deal. Deal with it!) I love walking in the rain and so I decided today would be a good time to walk in the drizzle and rain of Jerusalem.

The photographer told me to meet him on a street I was fairly familiar with. When I got there, I called him and he came out of his apartment with another man. I know this photographer for over 20 years as we had worked in high tech together. He is a really good photographer and had a long career in high tech until he got fed up and went to doing photography full time.

Hats off to him and I hope he makes a bundle.

He did me a really huge favor for the Bar Mitzvah pictures so I was more than willing to meet him at his time and place. And that is where I got caught.

All I really wanted to do was pick up the CD and mosey over to a cafe so I could get out this next short story I was working on called "Coincidence". I want to get it out - on paper - because that is how I work. First good old fashioned pen on a good hard back notebook and then into the puter when I want to see the story unfold.

Ahh, but the trap awaited. You see the guy my photographer was visiting, was a visitor from the US, who has come to ply his wares here and show us all how to become great businessmen. I have heard this story so many times it makes me want to puke. But I always enjoy meeting new people and when I heard the visitor to our country had some background not only in High Tech but in security I wanted to hear more.

So I made my way into his apartment and listened to him try and interest me in something that was so not clear to me I thought I was senile. Some plan of doing this and that. Before I knew it I was handed a plastic card and "asked" to come to a meeting on the morrow in a 5 star hotel at which around 50 other people would be attending. Why? That was kind of cloaked in mystery. Something to do with business connections. What this had to do with me I am still clueless about. Why I should listen to the "visitor" well that left me even more clueless. But hell, I wish him luck.

Meanwhile in the apartment we exchanged pleasantries and though I could not get a straight answer out of the visitor as to exactly what it is he is doing, I answered him honestly in what I was up to. Writing, working with agents and publishing. The ups and downs. I made it short and sweet.

When I mentioned writing, of course, he said: "I am writing my book now". I said "great" though I did not ask anymore. By that time I realized that cryptic answers were the visitors "signature" and he wanted to lay this aura of mystery and power around his august chair. I know people like this. I am too old to dig into their aura. Either out with it or have fun holding your secrets. Who the hell has time for cat and mouse games?

Shrugging at the uselessness of all the stuff, I thanked him and made my merry way out of there. Pretentious people are, well, pretentious. Nothing more and nothing less.

Later on while walking back home and tired as hell, I realized that I had kind of committed to be in a hotel at 8 AM, no less. There was just no way that was going to happen so I called my photographer friend to tell him, and to try and understand in just simple terms what this guy was doing.

So my friend says to me that the moment I left this guy called me a putz. And why did he call me a putz I asked? I am used to pissing people off but I did not in any way shape manner or form do it with the "visitor". Well my photographer friend answers me, that the "visitor" said if I wanted to publish my book, he could make it happen for me in a couple of months.

That was when I laughed. It was honestly a joyous laugh. It took a millisecond to realize that once again I had met the genius of the publishing world who was going to POD or self-publish his book. It took but a second to realize that wherever you go and whatever you do, everyone has such great advice - because they really truly understand the publishing industry.

Not only that but he could do it without ever reading a word I wrote. Now that is a miracle. An arrogant miracle, I admit, but nevertheless a miracle. Wow! An editor, agent and publisher all rolled into one really knowledgeable human being. Look what I passed up. Sheesh.

I had to laugh. I told my friend, that the "visitor" is right. I am a putz. Stupid, idiotic and dumb. Getting published is really that simple. Sigh. Why didn't I learn this years ago! I should really go and POD my work so I can call myself my an author and then invite 50 people to a breakfast in a five star hotel so I can ply my wares to them.

Lesson to be learned. When you go pick up a CD of pictures from a photographer stay away from anyone else. Could you believe it? I really almost had my book published and I turned down the opportunity. Silly me. Stupid me.

One can only shake one's head and wonder at the arrogance of some people. And it was then I realized just how easy it is for a hopeful, naive author to get taken in by people like this.