Activity – Den of Writers

Janette posted an update 4 months, 2 weeks ago

So sorry for my absences. I have made the decision to self-publish my books after careful consideration, reading how some trad friends have fared, and revisiting notes from my last (self-publishing) workshop in York. I’m very wet behind the ears regarding publishing, especially self-publishing, so I am deep into swatting about it before I make any…[Read more]

Bella replied 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Good luck. Please let us know how you get on. I’d like to piggy-back on your request for tips. I am part of a group currently ready to publish a non-fiction book. We’re trying a few pitches via the traditional route just in case it lands but it’s quite likely we may end up self-publishing because we don’t want the book to languish, unpublished, for ages.
- Janette replied 4 months, 2 weeks ago
  
  Hi Bella. So far I’m deep into reading the Writers and Artists Guide to Self Publishing, which is very ‘involved’ though gives lots of advice. I have also signed up to David Gaughran’s free self-publishing course (on his website). I also found this: https://justpublishingadvice.com/publishing-companies-to-avoid-and-nasty-new-author-scams/
  I’ll let…[Read more]
  - Sandra replied 4 months, 2 weeks ago
    
    Janette (and Bella), one tip I didn’t mention earlier is that it makes very good sense to set your page size for composing to Blurb’s trade book size. Makes it, in my opinion, a lot easier to read on screen too. Blurb’s page size is 13.02cm x 20.95cm. Select mirror margins , set top margin 2 cm, bottom 2.25 cm, inside 1.75cm, outside, 1.75 cm…[Read more]
Libby replied 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Hi Janette, I’ve never self-published but am in contact with editors and proofreaders who work with self-pub authors. This tip usually doesn’t apply to experienced writers so I just add it as a general comment. When self-pub authors approach editors for a proofread or copy edit, often what’s needed is a more substantial developmental or…[Read more]
Janette replied 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Thank you, Sandra and Libby. All taken on board, but the novel has had three beta readers so far, plus an agent’s when she almost took it on. Better luck this time, eh?
- Libby replied 4 months, 2 weeks ago
  
  You are well prepared, Janette! Good luck with the self pub.

Members

Athelstone

Active 3 hours, 50 minutes ago

Kate

Active 10 hours, 19 minutes ago

Chrissy

Active 1 day, 8 hours ago

Terrie

Active 1 day, 9 hours ago

Libby

Active 2 days, 8 hours ago

Athelstone replied 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Fantastic news, Jill.
- Jill replied 4 months, 3 weeks ago
  
  Thank you, Athelstone!
Libby replied 4 months, 3 weeks ago

That’s marvellous news, Jill.
- Jill replied 4 months, 3 weeks ago
  
  Thank you, Libby. It has really helped me participating again in this warm, creative and supportive virtual community alongside my mutually supportive real Tim
  
  Thank you, Libby. It is such a pleasure being part of this online community once more. Jill x
Janette replied 4 months, 2 weeks ago

That’s wonderful news, Jill. Here’s to upwards and onwards!
- Jill replied 4 months, 2 weeks ago
  
  Thank you, Janette – much appreciated. Jill x

Libby replied 5 months, 2 weeks ago

Thank you, Ath. A good idea. At the moment updated profiles aren’t necessarily being mentioned on the activity page, but you may well know that already.
- Athelstone replied 5 months, 2 weeks ago
  
  I didn’t know, Libby. Have you done an update recently? There’s a full change log in the admin menu, but I didn’t see anything. I haven’t looked at how the Activity Page is built; I know it’s complex and occasionally flakey, so I’ve tried to steer clear.
  - Athelstone replied 5 months, 2 weeks ago
    
    Oh, or did you mean that my post about the changes has slipped down because of subsequent posts? That can be a nuisance sometimes. There’s a banner headline facility that I also avoid.
    - Libby replied 5 months, 2 weeks ago
      
      Thanks, Ath. Some profile updates are mentioned on the Activity page, e.g. Richard’s and Janette’s, and others aren’t, e.g. Sandra’s and mine. Perhaps it’s just an example of its flakiness.
      - Athelstone replied 5 months, 2 weeks ago
        
        Exactly that. I’m not even certain whether the activity page is a WordPress thing or one of the plugins that makes it a community site.
Libby replied 5 months, 2 weeks ago

It sounds as though it presents frustrations. Thanks for keeping it all going and working with its idiosyncracies.
- Athelstone replied 5 months, 2 weeks ago
  
  I sometimes feel a bit like the man who asked for directions and was told, ‘Well, I wouldn’t start from here.’

Athelstone replied 5 months, 3 weeks ago

Answering on the activity stream to keep the comp thread clear. In general, WordPress (that this site uses) doesn’t really play with, or understand, or use paragraph indentation. It’s possible, but I haven’t looked into it yet. The issue is that WordPress was originally built for blogging (by one person) and we use almost none of that…[Read more]
- Jill replied 5 months, 3 weeks ago
  
  Thank you for the explanation, Athelstone.
  - Athelstone replied 5 months, 3 weeks ago
    
    Incidentally, when I say “it’s possible” I should probably add, “but not easy.”
    The ONLY method that would work consistently for a forum post would be to construct some fairly complex HTML using the code tab of your text box. You would need to do this for every post.
    The situation has existed ever since the creation of WordPress and I was very…[Read more]