Anthology Update 4

Richard sends us his 4th update on the progress of the compilation and publication of our anthology. I feel very confident that we will get it published sooner than later, but Richard wants to explain the whole process to us. Thank you Richard for coordinating this with so much attention to detail for us. You do a great job at keeping us updated. Even your updates sound like they're written by a professional writer - they're so enjoyable.

Picture: Tres Amigos, by Ben Rimmer

Everyone involved in this project deserves a pat on the back for a job well done: from Maria, the person who came up with the idea for the anthology; to me, the editor; to Ben, our artist; to all of the talented poets, essayists and story writers; to all of the members who gave their invaluable ideas for improving the book, and to all of the members who generously gave their permission to use their posted messages and replies. I applaud you all! ...

I’ll submit our manuscript to several regular publishing companies first: the ones that don’t require a fee to publish our book. I should hear from our first publishing company 2-4 weeks after they receive our work. If we are rejected by them, I will send our book to the next one until we have exhausted all of our efforts to get it published for free. At that time, we would have to submit the manuscript to a vanity publishing company: one that requires a fee for publication. In this case, we would have to raise anywhere from $500.00 to $800.00 to get our book published. Details on how we can all donate whatever we can will be included in a future update. Again, all of this will take place only if we are rejected by all of the free publishing companies we can contact. One way or another, our book will be published.

If anyone has any questions, please post it so that everyone else can see it. And I’ll answer it as best I can. Since messages disappear so fast on the General Board, I prefer that you use the Poetry/Stories Board to post your question(s). Answers will be posted on both boards.

I’ll post the final draft of the anthology sometime between Monday, January 19 and the 30th, several days before submitting it to our first publishing company. I want the group to see the finished product before the rest of the universe does. Maybe we’ll get lucky and aliens from other worlds will read it and beam us down a cure, or else beam us all up and take us with them. Hey, it could happen! I also need members to point out any mistakes I might have made before I submit the manuscript. But then, I don’t believe I’ve ever made a misstak in my life.

Rich