I'd like that. Also, I would like to be a Smash Writer, but I have no clue what kind of commitments that would require, and if I'm even able to meet said requirements for such commitment. Not even sure what I need to write either. lol
I might change my username at some point - change it to the name I'm going to use for my books (a "pen name" was it?).
The Lounge is just a social forum I started back in the summer. All you need to join is to have some interest in writing. The Group is Private only so that people can share their material (if they want) outside of public view, for the purpose of feedback and workshopping.
I envisioned the Lounge as a resource for Smashers who have a passion for writing. You don't need to write anything to get in, nor to stick around. But you get out what you put in, so you can make use of what's there. I'll send you an invite shortly; maybe the Lounge will be of use to you.
In other news, pen names can be used for various reasons. The most common purpose is to differentiate your brand. If you write YA books as Claire Diviner, then decide to write some historical fiction, you may consider using a pen name (e.g. Eleannor Scryer) so as to not dilute your YA brand. Though you can also use pen names for the sake of anonymity, among other uses.
If my story receives a cult following or manages to be a part of the mainstream, that would be wonderful. That said, more than anything else, I'm only writing because I enjoy it, and I want to tell a story and have it exist in print, so that in worst case scenario, my story, ideas, characters, and world won't die with me.
Of course. I was trying to crank up the hype. 8P
Fame and money and sex and pretzels would only be by-products of what we do (e.g. write and share stories). But I would certainly welcome such things, if they were to come my way.
Whatever the case, you have the right attitude for these things. So right on.
I've heard of self-publishing and all, but wasn't sure if that would be the best route to go. Although, now that I look at it, it does seem like a better decision. Thanks for the tip, and thanks for the wishes.
There are pros and cons to both traditional and self publishing.
For self-publishing, you have total control over everything (distribution, rights, revenue, marketing). You also get a much bigger percentage of profit from revenue overall. However, since you're working alone, you have to pay for everything out of pocket. This means commissioning people for editing services, cover art, advertising, and distribution (in the event you want to print physical copies). Unless you hire someone else, you tend to have to do your own marketing to get your work out there (social media and other platforms). There also isn't as strong a professional threshold of quality; this doesn't prevent someone from self-publishing good material, but it does mean that the bar of entry, as it were, is much lower.
In traditional publishing, the benefit is that your publisher will do the work for you. Editing, printing, distribution, marketing, etc.; they take care of it all, and do so with professional acumen. It's harder to break into the industry, but that's because the bar of entry is much higher. You also get lump-sum advances for each of your works, which can be nice. However, you get a much smaller percentage of overall profits, since A) the publisher has to pay to get your book(s) out there, and B) they want to make up for the costs of investing in your book(s). If you have an agent, they also get a commission from your total revenue (the standard rate is 15%).
Both avenues are viable; it depends on what you want to do and/or what you deem is right for your material. Self-publishing is an increasingly widespread platform, but traditional publishing still has numerous benefits. Some authors are starting to diversify, dabbling in trad
and self publishing (and even fundraising campaigns like Kickstarter).
It remains that the publishing landscape is evolving, and rather rapidly. It's thus more important now than ever to remain informed about what's available to you as a (prospective) author in terms of publishing options, since traditional publishers are slowly losing their monopoly on the industry (though remain viable, at least for now).
