Two of the 5000

Thanks to Huw Langridge (Go to http://www.huwlangridge.co.uk/blog/ for his views on the YouWriteOn scheme and to hear his FREE audiobook, 'Spireclaw') for the following message through Intensedebate:
'As one of the 5000, I'm really pleased by your post, and I agree wholeheartedly with your motivations, as they reflect mine too. Hats off to you. '

Top Stories

One of the 5000

So the debate rages on about YouWriteOn and its publishing 5000 books by Christmas venture.
Admittedly, I have been concerned that this could lead to 4999 turkeys being available just in time for christmas (or after, if the cynics are correct.) I obviously don’t include my novel in that number because it is high quality writing and has been crafted and edited over several years. Hopefully, the amount of publicity generated by the critics of YouWriteOn will create more interest and lead the curious to test for themselves whether it is statistically possible for 5000 writers all to be bad.
What I don’t like is the often patronising references to the 5000 and their motives. No, we are not all people who simply want to see our names in print. Some of us have been through the process of submitting to publishers and agents works which we believe in and have worked damned hard on. For us the choice to submit to YouWriteOn comes from the blinkered view of a publishing industry which will not consider anything which cannot be pigeonholed.
Whether or not any of the 5000 will gain any level of success will have to be seen. But if there is only one, then doesn’t that make the odds of success rather better than those of an unconventional novel attempting a conventional route?
For a statement of the arguments against the YouWriteOn scheme see http://howpublishingreallyworks.blogspot.com/2008/09/youwriteon-publishes-5000.html



Top Stories

A Medical Interlude

Interesting Medical Fact Number 1: I’ve just had a mole removed from my back. No, not a fluffy little creature (I just like the picture, and thought you’d rather see it than a skin blemish.) It changed colour and shape when I was on holiday, so I went to see the Doc, who said it had to come off.
The procedure was painless. And afterwards the Doctor gave me the scissors and other implements he had used. Apparently sterilisation is no longer good enough because of superbugs, so they would only throw them away. It occurs to me that I could commit the perfect crime- all of the clues would point to someone who has access to surgical instruments. And now I’ve told you, I’ll have to kill you… and eat your wife.

Interesting Medical Fact Number 2: My Dad has just had his second knee replacement. The first was done in a BUPA hospital, the second in an NHS hospital. The procedure, the staff, the food and the aftercare were all far superior from the latter.

Interesting Medical Fact Number 3: Seasonal Affective Disorder has kicked in earlier and affected more people this year because the British Summer was duller and grottier than ever. I know, because I get it. I like to keep my blogs lighthearted, so if you want to read more on this subject check out my ezine article at:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Seasonal-Affective-Disorder---A-Personal-Perspective&id=1511457

Top Stories