BookRix

Hi GM - Your vote is much appreciated.

Indeed, we humans are political beasts by nature. On sites where member "votes" pick winners or whatever, social networking and campaigning are the most significant determinants of what story wins. Politics, though not as heavily, plays a certain role on paying sites, as well, where it is easier with less members. You have probably received "campaign" email requests to read a particular contest story, no? Sounds a lot like running for 5th grade class president, doesn't it? I'm a bit too ripe in years to take all this too seriously. In fact, I'm getting down right moldy! :-)

BTW, I did not anticipate winning with my entry, and instead posted something previously written. The idea was to make Bookrix members smile and think, not to mention help them become somewhat aware of my existence. Free sites have thousands of members. Standing out in the crowd is quite difficult and takes much effort. On the writing sites where a writer is a paying member, attracting interest and consequently receiving critiques/suggestions about posted works are much, much easier. If anything, the smaller amount of members are much more likely to be serious and committed in regards to their work and the work of others - the good old, you scratch my back & I'll scratch yours. You may want to try, TheNextBigWriter.com web site for a month or two.

Since you scratched my back, being a gentleman who always reciprocates, I will scratch yours.

Write well and prosper - R. A. K.

Hi nisamsuzi - Alas, true that!

Without the intro of an agent, the editors at the major publishing houses would rather chew glass light bulbs than discover and nurture new talent all by their little, lonesome selves. Most editors are apparently more concerned with marketing than editing and have delegated the agent as the editor/gatekeeper to the Emerald City of Publishing.

The Internet, digital books and on demand publishing ARE making an impact - though, we are still in the early stages of changing the dynamic. How the publishing game all plays out should be quite entertaining, indeed. Watch out for the flying monkeys!

BTW, I took some liberty with historical facts in "A Tale of Two." By the time Dickens wrote his famous novel, he was well established as an author and would have encountered little resistance from a publishing house. In fact, like most of his novels, "A Tale of Two Cities" was first serialized, a common tactic in the 19th Century.

Thanks for your interest, please keep in touch.

Write well and prosper - R A K

Hello donnamyoung - Did you enter the "contest," as well? I haven't the faintest idea how to find where all the contest entries are listed, etc. I'm certain young whippersnappers designed Bookrix, the site design assumes its users are an all avid web browsers, unlike a certain old geezer I'm well acquainted with ;-)

I'm afraid in "A Tale of Two" I took some historical liberties. Dickens was already a well established author in the English speaking world by the time he wrote "A Tale of Two Cities." I also believe, like many of his novels, it was serialized first.

That said, the story's opening line has always gripped me, a westerner's bow to a more eastern philosophical point of view of the world. I could well imagine a stodgy old Victorian editor missing the whole point and chastising a young author. Hence the reason we writers must never give up, and most importantly, keep faith in ourselves despite myopic editors, and the rest of the gatekeepers with their personal or commercial agendas and pressures. One may think of rejections as a mark of perseverance, a badge of honor, so to speak.

Boy, oh boy, you should see all my badges! xD

Write well and prosper - R A K (Rob)