An Orchard of Kindles.

The Kindle presentation was well received at the conference room of our new library. It's interesting to see the number of new and potential authors who view the opportunity in this publishing method. This empowerment for the older writer, especially those who have tried the agent route without success, is allowing dreams and ambitions to be achieved.

Talking, recently, with people keen to develop their writing skills, some have said that they would like writing groups to cover not only novel writing, short stories and poetry, but journalism, writing for magazines, article writing for profit, etc. I began wondering how many groups teach all these elements and how many do it successfully - or whether trying to be all things to all people doesn't work. Any views will be appreciated.  


Last week I visited Orchard Studios, Gunnislake (Cornwall), http://www.orchardlearningstudios.co.uk/     owned and run by Jay Hooper. Amongst other activities, she and her tutors are running creative writing workshops and courses not only at the studios, but around the east Cornwall area. Jay is keen to see a network of groups around the Devon and Cornwall writing community link to other groups in other parts of the country - an ethos close to my heart too. She is also keen to investigate the Kindle path to publication for her students. Hopefully, we can work together on this element.

The future is e-range

I've been invited to give a talk (Feb 9th) during the opening week of our superb new library - rebuilt after the original burned down a few years ago. Myself, Emma Tofi, children's author and illustrator: (www.thingleypress.com) and  Tom MacKenzie, blogger, Herald columnist, author  (www.lastfoundling.com) will present on our chosen subjects (in my case Kindle Publishing) and then answer questions from attendees. 

It's interesting that in excess of 11,000 libraries in the US are embracing Kindle. It seems too that some forward-thinking libraries here are looking to do the same. People will always have differing opinions about technology and its effect on the world, and I am not suggesting that books are approaching the end of their particular road, rather, that the e-reader performs a function which, for an increasing number of readers, of all ages, fits their particular need. And, in the case of the new writer, for whom the task of obtaining an agent can be a lengthy, difficult and frustrating process, the e-publishing element of such as Kindle is an opportunity not to be missed. Having said that, the facility to publish at will does not  improve stories which have poor plots, characters who are flat and writing that doesn't flow - and it's important that, before attempting e-publishing, the new writer investigates the possibility of whether that was why the agent(s) declined to represent them. Therefore, the ability to stand back, accept critique, not be defensive and be willing to learn are critical to the success of the serious writer. E-publishing, however, is not a shortcut to success - it is a alternative path for those writers who have proven that their book is ready in all respects. Why is this so important? Because Amazon reader reviewers are not known for pulling punches - and neither should they be, e-books are a product for which the customer pays - it's a business transaction!