Seawoman's Caribbean Blogspot

Dear PPS aka Peter:Thanks VERY much for your comme...

2008-12-04T03:48:00.000-08:00

Dear PPS aka Peter:

Thanks VERY much for your comments interestingly arranged in a poem.

We need to let others know what's going on.

BTW How did you find my blog? Please check out Seawoman's Caribbean Writing Opps.(http://seawoman.wordpress.com) I'm sure you'll find something of interest there.

Seawoman

Poetry Scam There's a poetry scam on the internet ...

2008-12-03T19:17:00.000-08:00

Poetry Scam

There's a poetry scam on the internet entered It once, for a bet.
They mailed back quicker than rsvp exclaiming I'd won, huh who me?
Sent them one back, in the form of a Re: How Can This Be
Your the best as others agree, now in a book we published free
I mailed in haste, this time a ReRe: OmG Let Me See!
They mailed me back asap, of course just pay the fee.
Mailed them back, this time WTF: Free For A Buck?
I soon got one back, this time a Re: Free
Explaining the charges applied to a bonus recital cd!
For the last time I mailed, and finally Re: WTF Buck Listen To Me!
I don't want your book or damn recital cd not even a taster
Including for free!

Hey Seawoman,
Thought you might enjoy the topic of the poem, cool post making people aware of the various poetry scams around!

Dear Lionel,Thanks so much for your valued contrib...

2007-09-05T12:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Lionel,

Thanks so much for your valued contribution to this electronic discussion and your continued support.

You are absolutely right. While a few of us will hold out in the interest of US ALL (ironically enough) being treated fairly, there are a few that will still accept the crumbs.

That's fine because it's all about personal choice - whether motivated by fear, desperation, ignorance or indifference.

Hopefully, the few of us agitating will encourage at least ONE person to think or to draw on the encouragement and wealth of information gleaned from those of us who have travelled down the road already.

I view this as part of my responsibility. So, in my small way I will do what I can to elucidate 'our writes'.

Power to you from the pen,
Seawoman

Sandra,Your are correct on several counts.Fact is ...

2007-09-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

Sandra,
Your are correct on several counts.Fact is that "culture" in Bim has been largely a hobby, probably because prior to independence they told us we had none! And even groups and individuals making money from the cultural services expect to enjoy our efforts gratis.Musicians are now breaking out of the rut but they had to fight a ding-dong battle and the tourism industry was a major catalyst in that breakout. But the reality is that if we hold out for a fair deal some other sister or brother will oblige and snap up the crumbs!Keep on talking, we may get a bright idea yet!
Lionel.

Dear 'Anonymous':Thank you for your valued feedbac...

2007-09-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

Dear 'Anonymous':

Thank you for your valued feedback.

BOOKSTORES: Yes, I was generalizing about our treatment BUT I also pointed out that we writers too must take ourselves seriously. Part and parcel of that is THE PRESENTATION OF YOUR PRODUCT I.E. BOOK. If you are in a hurry to PRINT (not even publish) something not edited, unattractive and not of a high standard, you will not project a good impression. So I am in agreement with you.

BTW, I will be doing a SEAWOMAN REVIEW OF BOOKSTORES and will take notes to be posted on this blog.

However, in my travels so far I have noted that the second hand books stores in Barbados like THE BOOK PLACE, THE BOOK DEN, HASANI & JOHN HOWELL'S SHOP (that's not the name but only BAOBAB is sticking in my frazzled memory) are ALWAYS quite supportive of local writers. I've also noted so far the excellent display of local books at Pages' in Sunset Crest.

GETTING PAID? - Good for you! I think alot of us are afraid and don't understand what we are worth. You're right. Asking for cash is a judgement call but that's what SHARING the information is all about-empowerment. When you are plugged in to the community AND you do your research, you'll find you are more prepared. ASK QUESTIONS!

In some cases, and you judge it to be a good cause, go ahead and do it GRATIS.

Otherwise, the way I might approach it is: "What is in your organization's budget for this service?" They generally will view what you do in a different light or start backpedalling.

As for being viewed as 'mercenary', it's a necessary evil. Fortunately, by now, I'm inured and don't give a damn what kind of names they call me! :-)

Sandra, first the bookstore comment. Talking for t...

2007-09-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

Sandra, first the bookstore comment. Talking for the Book Place, we take them even when we feel that 'well, ok...'. But you can't leave them out on display forever, at some stage you have to file them on the shelf. When you do that, if the book don't got a spine then it is just something on the shelf and nobody knows what. So, if you publish, especially self-publish, make sure your book got the name on the spine.

As for the next part about not wanting to pay writers, some writers feel that they get exposure and it's like paying for advertisement. That can be a valid argument. But a lot also feel that they can't get away with it and therefore they agree to write for free. That means though that the rest of us who ask for the cold hard then look mercenary and people want to know who we think we are. We are in fact like carpenters, plumbers and the people who cut the grass around our houses - working people who need to be paid.

I always ask up front for money. When my sister wanted her thesis edited I asked for money. She laughed at me, mind you, but I retained my professional pride.

HEAR HEAR and Thank you Arsenic!Spread the Word an...

2007-08-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

HEAR HEAR and Thank you Arsenic!

Spread the Word and please invite others to comment.

Blessings and power from the pen,
Seawoman

Dear Seawoman, I agree whole heartedly with your ...

2007-08-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Seawoman,
I agree whole heartedly with your thoughts. We as writers need to stand up for ourselves in order to evoke change. Especially here in Barbados where we are more of a stepchild to the culural arts, we have to say NO MORE! to the constant abandonment.
We must rise up and be counted in our efforts for Literary Revolution. There were the Haitian Revolution of 1828, Barbadian Riots of 1937. Let us spark the 2007 Literary Revolt! Let's stand up for our writes!!!