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In support of Literary Journals…a free gift to all writers. By Wilson Wyatt, Executive Editor, Delmarva Review

21 Thursday Feb 2019

Posted by Wilson Wyatt Jr. in Inspiration, Maryland, The Delmarva Review, Uncategorized, Writing, Writing and publishing today

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Acceptance, Authors, Books, Commercial Magazines, Critics, Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, Discovery, Eastern Shore Writers Association, Editors, Essays, Fiction, Literary Arts, Literary Journal, Literary Magazines, Maryland, Nonfiction, Poetry, Rejection, Short Stories, The Writer's Center, Virginia, Writers

Delmarva Review, Volume 11 – evocative prose and poetry

One of the great ironies in the writing business is the persistent misunderstanding by many writers of the purpose of literary journals.  Message to writers: We’re not against you; we exist for you.

Here is a good example of the potential value of literary reviews. Recently I received a personal email from an aspiring poet thanking us, as the editors of Delmarva Review, for printing his work four years earlier. We had published six of his poems, as a collection, to show the strength of his voice. In his email, the poet explained that our belief in his work bolstered his perseverance to write his best work, which resulted in a publisher producing his first book, as well as his receiving a National Endowment for the Arts literary fellowship.

He was excited; he shared his exhilaration. As executive editor, I felt we had received the ultimate reward for our efforts. Delmarva Review had succeeded in meeting a major objective—to encourage writers in their pursuit of literary excellence. It was working.

However, my sense of satisfaction was short-lived.

Later that day, I attended a writers’ reading at a local library. I enjoy hearing authors tell their stories in their unique voice. One of the writers came up to me to complain, with some bitterness, that after several repeated rejections, that person would never again submit to our journal. It was disheartening, but I listened. I explained why acceptance in Delmarva Review was competitive and to keep trying. Reliance on high standards assures a publication that earns respect throughout the literary community. That respect is totally transferrable to the writers whose work we publish.

We receive thousands of submissions annually. At least two experienced editors or readers read every one of them (at no cost to the writer). If a writer’s work is accepted, it is an accomplishment. Our readers–who include writers, editors and teachers–should expect to read a higher quality of writing in a literary journal than in a standard commercial magazine or book.

Unfortunately, rejection is a necessary part of the process. Any way you say it, rejection is rejection.

About rejection – We editors often tell each other that experienced writers understand rejection. But, the truth is, we’re all human, and one of the fallacies of human behavior is the frequent inability by artists, experienced or not, to recognize and appraise the limits of their own writing. Self-appraisal of an author’s writing is usually tainted by bias. Hopefully, we all like our own work. That’s only the beginning. Developing the ability to make a realistic assessment and knowing where to market one’s work is very, very difficult. But, not to try assures the hardness of rejection.

Speaking for Delmarva Review, we created it for the benefit of writers. “Literary” refers to writing that rises to a high artistic level. Cutting through a lot of philosophical thought, it is simply the pursuit of the best of literary art and beauty.  It is beyond craft.  Literary journals help assure a societal pathway toward continued literary excellence.

The literary journal gives writers an opportunity to publish their best efforts, a place to showcase their highest aspirations, and to be recognized for it. At a time when so many commercial publications are retracting, or going out of business, journals offer a respected, permanent place to print the best writing a writer can create. We have no other agenda. We are independent. We are nonprofit, and our editors draw no salaries. We care about the appearance of the writer’s words on a printed page and the thoughts behind them. Above all, we hope that our discoveries become the discoveries of other discerning readers and publishers who actively seek the best writing they can find.

The benefit to us is the reward of knowing that we have encouraged writers to exceed by offering a possible venue for their most creative expression.

So…don’t give up. If you’re a writer, a literary journal like Delmarva Review is your friend. We take pleasure in discovering your best. Rejection may or may not be a part of that process. But, if you try, you may very well succeed at something very special, very fulfilling.

For information and submissions, see our new website: www.DelmarvaReview.org.

Delmarva Review’s New Cover – 10th Anniversary

16 Saturday Sep 2017

Posted by Wilson Wyatt Jr. in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, The Delmarva Review, Writing

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Books, Chesapeake Bay, Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, District of Columbia, Fiction, Literary Arts, Literary Journals, Literary Magazines, Maryland, Nonfiction, Photography, Poetry, shucked oysters, Virginia

Photographer Calvin “Cal” Jackson’s color image “Recycle” was selected for the tenth anniversary cover of the Delmarva Review, to be published on November 1.

Photograph “Recycle” by Cal Jackson – Click on photo for full size image

Cal Jackson’s cover image “Recycle” shows shucked oyster shells, in rustic old bushels, to spread on bay oyster beds, providing a solid hold for oyster larvae and a future crop of oysters. The photographer, from Easton, MD exhibits at galleries and shows in Baltimore, Easton, Cambridge and Chestertown, MD, as well as Brooklyn, New York. He’s a retired accountant and former audit manager for information technology with the U.S. Army.

The Delmarva Review is a nonprofit literary journal publishing compelling new poetry, fiction and nonfiction from writers within the region and beyond. It celebrates its 10th anniversary edition in November. The Review is supported by the Eastern Shore Writers Association, individual contributions, and a grant from the Talbot County Arts Council with funds from the Maryland State Arts Council.

The next submission period for literary work and cover art is from November 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018, for the eleventh edition. See the website for information, at www.delmarvareview.com.

Last Book Signing of 2013 . . . time passes so quickly.

17 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by Wilson Wyatt Jr. in CHESAPEAKE VIEWS - CATCHING THE LIGHT, Maryland, Photography, Uncategorized, Writing

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Authors Night, Book Signing, Books, Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Views - Catching the Light, Eastern Shore, Kent Island Library, Photo Books, Photography, Presents, Queen Anne's County Library, Roland Barthes

Chesapeake Views - Catching the Light, book cover

Chesapeake Views – Catching the Light, by Wilson Wyatt Jr., book cover

A camera is a kind of clock, to borrow a metaphor from Roland Barthes, in Camera Lucida.  Photography is about catching light, a blink of light, measured in time. As I prepare for the last book signing of 2013, the year becomes an image of time passing, almost as quickly as “a blink of light.”

I remember starting my book a year ago, selecting 82 images from 26,000 taken over eight years.  Then came the writing, formatting, image proofing, the editing…and more editing.  Finally, the printing.  The hours seem like seconds, in memory.  Now the year closes with a final book signing.

Pleasure comes from holding the book in my hands, remembering when I captured the images and what inspired me… those magical feelings that come from photographing nature.  Sharing the images adds to the enjoyment. Unlike photographing a brief moment, a book lives on in time.

I look forward to tomorrow’s book signing as the year draws to a close.  For those of you who haven’t attended one, it is a celebration of sorts, regardless of how many books are sold. The conversations and camaraderie between authors and readers are festive occasions, paying homage to creative words and images, in my case, on paper. It’s a respectful way to celebrate the year.

If you’re in the area, join me and nine other authors, for a festive holiday “Authors Night,”  tomorrow (December 18), at the Kent Island Library, from 6 to 8 p.m.  We’ll celebrate books, writing, and photography. The library’s address is: 200 Library Circle, just off Main Street, in Stevensville, Maryland, on Kent Island, the Chesapeake Bay.

Author/photographer Wilson Wyatt - photo by James Dissette

Author/photographer Wilson Wyatt Jr. – photo by James Dissette

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The value of a “writing community”…transcending borders

07 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by Wilson Wyatt Jr. in Inspiration, The Delmarva Review, Uncategorized, Writing

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Books, Borders, Combat Veterans, Delmarva Peninsula, Eastern Shore Writers Association, Healing, Maryland, Novels, Personal Essay, Poetry, Public Radio Delmarva, Publishing, Ron Capps, Salisbury, Veteran's Writing Project, veteranswriting.org, War, Writers, Writing Community, WSDL, www.delmarvapublicradio.net

Hal Wilson, of the Eastern Shore Writers Association, interviews Ron Capps in Public Radio Delmarva’s studio (WSDL, Salisbury). - Photographed by Wilson Wyatt

Hal Wilson, left, of the Eastern Shore Writers Association, interviews Ron Capps in Public Radio Delmarva’s studio (WSDL-FM, Salisbury). – Photographed by Wilson Wyatt

Several friends are currently publishing their literary work. With each, a writing community contributes to the achievement.

I think of this from time to time. Why do I volunteer to help other writers? Does a writers’ community really benefit writers?

The answers are powerful affirmations.

A writer once told me of a desire to publish more work in local publications, but opportunities were diminishing. Does that sound familiar?  I asked why he was thinking locally when he could consider a much larger universe…beyond local borders.  A little nudging, and assurances from a larger community of writers, expanded his vision and potential. His determination was fueled for the hard work to complete and publish books capable of reaching a vastly greater audience…now a major accomplishment for the author.

Another example is about a combat veteran of five wars, Ron Capps.  Parts of his story have been told in the national media and are still being unveiled.

As a very capable writer, Ron decided to use writing to apply his experiences to three new and meaningful purposes.  First, writing enabled him to face and manage the horrors of combat that were relived in his mind daily.  It was a means of confronting and healing.  Appreciating this strength, he initiated a major project to teach other combat veterans, and their families, writing techniques for their healing and expression.

He recognized the value to show the rest of the world, through veterans’ writing, that there were other costs of war we don’t think about, that aren’t reported by the daily media. Only one percent of Americans are engaged in military duty today. Combat veterans, through writing, can “bear witness” for us to comprehend the personal impact of combat and war. As a society, we can become better informed before making decisions about going to war.

This week, two of us from the Eastern Shore Writers Association, hosted  Ron at the Public Radio Delmarva station (WSDL-FM) in Salisbury, Maryland, to record a special radio segment, “The Writer’s Edition,” about his experiences and inspiration to create the Veteran’s Writing Project, veteranswriting.org.  It will air on June 28, contributing his message to a new audience.

Ron Capps also wrote a powerful personal essay that will be published in The Delmarva Review’s sixth edition, in October, expanding the reach of his story among literary readers (www.delmarvareview.com).

These stories “bear witness” to a writing community helping writers in their work while contributing something meaningful to a far greater audience.  The value of a writing community transcends us…it transcends borders.

Self-publishing today…dependable truths

11 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by Wilson Wyatt Jr. in The Future, Uncategorized, Writing, Writing and publishing today

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Agents, Amazon, Author's Platform, Authors, Book Design, Books, Distribution, Editing, Empowerment, Good Writing, Hybrid Authors, Marketing, Metadata, New Agents, Publishing, Readers, Self-publishing, Social Media, Traditional Publishing, Writer's Digest Conference East, Writing

 
Writer's Digest Conference East, New York

Writer’s Digest Conference East 2013 – New York, NY

Finding dependable “truths” from the turbulent publishing world is like trying to catch a bird from a roller coaster.  By the time you reach up, publishing has flown by, in new directions.  The best advice may be to climb aboard, enjoy the ride, and focus on the track ahead.

I just returned from the annual Writer’s Digest Conference (WD), in NYC, which included an entire day devoted to self-publishing, during the three-day event.  It’s surprising how the publishing world has changed in one year.  From the growth of  “metadata” techniques to the successes of a new category of “hybrid writers” (those who combine self-publishing with traditional publishing) to an evolving role for “nimble” agents, a vanguard few who are transforming from traditional agent to “change agent”…so much valuable information for writers.

It was interesting, as well, to see that in the midst of all this dazzling change, some basic things remain the same. I’ll elaborate below.

Here are a few highlights gleaned from the presentations. I think they are accurate or representative of the publishing marketplace, at the moment.

  • 70% of traditionally published authors who have also self-published, prefer to self-publish their books. The author is empowered. (WD survey of 5,000 authors)
  • Ironically, 68% of self-published authors still want to be traditionally published, a lingering “prestige” factor. (WD survey)
  • A new category of “hybrid authors” is emerging, those who combine self-publishing and traditional publishing for the same book project.
  • “Hybrid authors” sell more books, on average, and receive 38% more book revenue than either traditional or self-published authors, and they are more aggressive in marketing.
  • Marketing is up to the author, regardless of traditional or self-publishing.  While not new, many writers still think publishers do the marketing.  That’s not the case.
  • The one key advantage of traditional publishers is they assign an experienced project editor to the author, guiding the book from beginning to completion (content, line, and proofreading editing).  Self-published authors must do the same, on their own.   However, a traditional publisher controls the content, design, and keeps the book rights, paying the author only 15% of sales.  Advances have almost disappeared, except for major authors.
  • The democratization of marketing online is what is new and essential, not the author’s platform.  “Authors have a load of work to do,” said Joe Fine, of Amazon.com.
  • Word-of-mouth is still the best way to reach readers, based on a recent survey.
  • Distribution is king. When selecting your publishing imprint, think how it can be distributed as far as possible. Some self-publishing houses are proprietary, limiting distribution.
  • Know your audience, first.  Define the audience in detail. Then plan marketing accordingly, including who is on your launch team.
  • The “author’s page,” as an online site, is the critical place to sell your book.
  • While self-publishing is no longer a stigma, some traditional writers and agents still hold onto remnants of the past.  Why? Unfortunately, many self-published books are not written well or carefully edited.
  •  “If you write a good book and it develops a following, believe me, the agents will find you.” – Keith Ogorek, of Author Solutions, Inc.
  • New agent’s role can be additive to sales, bringing the knowledge of many publishing options to the author.  The “new agent” (only a few, so far) can help link the author to markets and accelerate sales.  This is a growing field: “change agents.”
  • Understand the “metadata” and check it frequently as your book travels through the distribution pipeline.  This is more important as we move toward an open source Web, worldwide (Web 3.0).  If data can’t speak to each other, a book’s availability becomes limited in a worldwide marketplace.  Good data results in more sales.  This is a growing topic.
  • Book design is more important than ever, for e-books and print.  In short, consider paying for a professional book designer who knows the current marketplace, including the technology necessary for your audience to find your book.  The cover art and layout is critical.  Don’t rely on your best friend’s artwork…if you want readership.
  • While authors are more empowered by self-publishing, readers are also more empowered…by online distribution.  They have far more choices for books to read.

What remains the same:

  • Marketing is still marketing.  The basics are not new.  Only the delivery systems have changed.  Social media is only a means, among many.  It’s good to keep up with social media and online techniques, but it’s far better to spend most of your time writing a good book and knowing your audience.
  • Good writing!  Nothing is more important than a well-written book.  It trumps clever marketing ideas and establishes your reputation among readers.
  • Editing.  Nothing turns off a discerning reader faster than poor editing.
  • Readership determines sales.

These are only a few highlights from a huge array of detailed information.  If you want to know more, let me know.  I’ll probably post again on this subject in the days ahead.

If you are genuinely interested in self-publishing, you can attend the “Publish Now” seminar for writers, all day on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at The Writer’s Center, in Bethesda, Maryland. This is an annual “how-to-do-it” event that will speed your way to publishing your work. You’ll learn what to do and avoid many of the common errors, all from a dependable, independent source. Check their website for details: http://www.writer.org or call: (301) 654-8664.

In the meantime, we can all enjoy writing, writing, and rewriting…as well as reading a great book.  It’s a good ride.

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