I’m still figuring out where I stand on the traditional publishing/e-publishing line, and I’m sure I’ll post on that once (or as soon as) I figure it out.
As far as what I need currently? Publication. I’m open to both online and paper journals. While I don’t have nearly enough material for a book, I do have stories that I need to get out there.
See–I know this! But rejection is still so hard. These people I’ve helped create have become family to me–for better or for worse. When their stories are rejected, I feel as though I’ve done them a big disservice. I’m never angry at the people who have turned down my entry…I’m mad that I didn’t find the right audience for my story.
I feel a little bit like Stuart Smalley here–“I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!” But I believe in my writing enough to know that the right audience has got to be out there, and I know I have to keep on trying until I find it. (Lord, wouldn’t it be great if I had the time to check out every literary magazine in creation?) In the next couple of days, I’m going to post a bunch of contests that have piqued my interest recently. If anyone has any opinions, I’d love to hear them!
j9writes 
Posted by karenselliott on August 17, 2011 at 3:00 pm
I am simply welcoming you to blogging world! Best wishes, and keep up the good work!
Posted by jwthibodeau on August 17, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Hi, Karen! Thanks so much. I’d been thinking about a blog for a while, and after you asked if I had one–well, you got me working. So far I love it, and I owe you a great big thanks!
Posted by AM on August 20, 2011 at 10:32 am
I don’t think I’m as biased as I once was towards traditional publishing… while I expect that I’ll always lean a little more towards paper rather than electronic, I can see unique advantages to both. I think one particular advantage to you in combining the two is that you have a much larger potential audience… you have the opportunity to get your stories out to that many more readers!
It takes a special type of courage to submit stories for publication, and I know this because it’s something I’ve never been able to find in myself. You’re good enough to be published, you’re smart enough to be published (and part of that “smart” is finding the appropriate audience for your characters and stories), and from what I’ve seen of you since we’ve become friends, you have courage enough to be published.
It’s your time, J!
Posted by jwthibodeau on August 29, 2011 at 9:22 pm
AM, I’m so sorry I didn’t get to respond to this until now! I think that I’m now more unbiased toward digital publishing than I ever have been, and I’m slowly starting to see the advantages/disadvantages to both traditional and digital publishing as I’m trying to wrap my head around my place in the “new” publishing.
I don’t think I’ll go all-out and publish a book in just digital form because as it is, there are simply not enough hours in a day for all I have to do, plus becoming my own editor, publicist, marketer, and production team. But I’m wondering how far I should go… I guess this is part of what this blog is about.
Thanks, as always, for all of your support. It means the world to me! xo