Internet Publishing

Creative writing can often be therapeutic, to sort out confusion and regain mental balance and deliberately create a positive attitude. The following is some advice and guidelines.

It can be very fulfilling it does take time to write but many of us have a lot of free time now with the Covid restrictions.  It is a very constructive way to stay busy. Do you feel ready to share?

Internet writing websites are usually specialised to some extent, join (preferably) smaller rather than very big sites. Often membership fees are asked there is nothing wrong with that and it usually is fair and affordable.

In the end the bills have to be paid. Money must come from somewhere there are expenses such as salaries office space and overheads and such as computer equipment and technical staff. Someone has to pay and clearly there are full-time jobs. Funds have to come from either readers or writers or both, as well as donations to help pay the piper.

There are many such sites with very dedicated and competent staff for instance my brother writes on another site too, Cosmofunnel based in America in Los Angeles. I am also a member of Ink. There is always some cooperation or competition amongst sites and writers, people are passionate about literature and feedback is invaluable.

You may have a terrific amount of exposure in this way and potentially thousands of readers it is a good way to start I would say but for real recognition you must have a breakthrough. Your problem especially in the old days you always had your manuscript back in the post with “we do not accept/ consider/ read any unsolicited work”. So what must you do now? It's a catch 22. The internet gives an opportunity to get past that.

You will have to do your homework for a suitable website there is a place for everyone.

To “print on demand” books as hard copies is very respectable and done by very well known established publishers too but certainly not “self-publishing” which usually would end up as very expensive and disappointing, tragic and humiliating. This is my personal opinion.

I have never used “twitter” or “facebook” I don't think I'm any worse off for it. There has been only Abctales and Ink which is an Afrikaans writers website. Such publishers are administrated mostly as small and larger groups in the line of clubs communities or societies where there is a good measure of control so things can't get out of hand. Usually there would be a small technical team, language experts and professional editors.

Facebook sounds to me is easily abused. For the most part a very unpleasant place it is completely a different ball game dirty fights libel and slander left right and centre and seems largely negative and unregulated with almost no control it is not a good platform for writing. A small website would just kick you out. Simple as that.

One must understand that in practice Abctales and such technically really are publishers and certainly not “social media” and the rules are completely different. We are about writing and writing well. But there is a lot of humour and fun involved!

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A few more practical hints might be helpful. Keep in mind you are writing for yourself in the first place, and don't overdo it with the editing and at first don't write novels start small it will be much more effective e.g. poems and flash fiction instead of endless stories. This of course also is my own opinion but from experience.

I find hard copies of my work very helpful as printed paper black on white and especially for editing a draft. Nothing worthwhile is instant it takes a lot of effort and time to write a piece well and often research, also old fashioned encyclopedias and traditional reference works e.g. dictionaries can be very handy. I often consult these traditional sources before resorting to the internet.

Remember that in general it is not a good idea to divulge any personal or sensitive information on public domain and always as little as possible certainly nothing unnecessary. Try to stay anonymous and don't give information not of friends and relatives nor of other parties.

Play the game, a measure of success might take some time. What you sow you will reap. It is probably a good idea to read the terms and conditions at least once, in general conduct has to be sober and disciplined and of sound judgement.

All interaction must preferably be of positive nature, with an optimistic, kind and friendly tone. Flattery will get you everywhere. Enjoy your writing and your contribution!

All the best! Mooi loop! Hamba kahle! Happy Writing!