Welcome to Writers Talkback. If you are a new user, your account will have to be approved manually to prevent spam. Please bear with us in the meantime
are you a Bad writer but don't know it?
I have a friend who has written a fantasy series and been self published in the past but when I saw a copy of the book it was so badly written, even though he paid, they offered no editing services. Now some 10 years later the book has again reared its head but this time they put it on Create Space, part of Amazon, this is really the same they offer to do a cover design for you at cost, then you upload your book in PDF format, but it offers no form of proof reading or editing service.
if this is the case how many badly written books are out there?
I can see now how some peoples work not only gets rejection but why some self publishing companies have become popular.
I don't claim to be a great writer but I have now been offered a contract with an advance paid.
I was very weary on submitting my work for fear of it being bad grammar and inconsistency in my work.
I then discover that I could have my book proof read at great expense and my work might still be rejected.
After much research on forums and google you could buy a program that would help me understand how I write.
so I purchased the program that works along side office word 2010 well it gives 19 reports. I was shocked at how this could improve my writing skills (was going to say what bad writer I was but now published thought better of it ).
my first book was sent to 17 publishers many months later, 2 offers of a contract, my book is due for release in early 2015.
what happened to my friend you ask? he also purchased the software but did not like being told his writing was bad so never used it. as it can be time consuming.
the friend has now opted to yet again self publish as a cost.
Comments
but it does make you aware of how to improve you writing style. many thanks for the input Danfango
Sadly there will always be people who think they can write, and will be taken advantage of.
Oh So true Carol there is always people who will take advantage of others, but thankfully in forums like this, there are people who have a passion to share advice for those who need it. well happy Friday its the start of the week-end.
I'm not keen on writing software either. Even spell cheque can be a cat's trophy in the wrong hands.
Clearly, after two of the reader responses to the third draft of my latest short story, I've succeeded in reaching my goal. I can now happily get down to the business of smacking myself round the head with my copy of the "Big Compendium of Obviously Dreadful Literature and Things That Just Don't Work but You Knew That Didn't You" until all the good stuff comes out.
I don't think I've come across bad writers here on TB. If you look at the standard of work on the OWC, I think you'll see that everyone on this forum has a good grasp of grammar and spelling. We also have our very own proofreader who comes with glowing reports and excellent rates.
Take a bow, Baggy.
The beauty of a forum such as this is that when any of us has a writing/editing query, we throw it out there and get lots of positive feedback from the group. There's a lot of expertise here - and it's all free!!!
http://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/thumbs-down-publishers/
Go in with your eyes open, and take care.
I was lucky I had 2 contract offers and I choose AM it is a very long story how and why. but my contract was not self publishing. I was paid a small advance. but great to see you show concern
Sometimes, of course, I'm appalling, but then we're all susceptible to off days.
:-&