Bastard Child of the Publishing World

Entering into the world of published writing isn't just about the writing. I am no expert in the world of publishing or even literature, but I like to think I have a little more knowledge than the average person. It comes from experience and doing your homework, and right now my experience is quite minimal- but, I do a lot of homework!

I have spent countless hours reading about publishing and writing in general...and countless hours on ways, sites, groups, forums, et cetera, to promote and gain exposure for my book, and for future works. Hours I do not get paid for, and may never really ever get reimbursed for in sales-dollars, but hopefully in other ways that will be just as good as cash. 

Harper Collins CEO Barnsley, from the Guardian

Writing and publishing a book isn't the same as it used to be...things are a lot easier for the writer these days, and while I am thankful for that, looking ahead gives me wonder to pause. I guess it's all speculative and comes down to ones perspective- as much as it does with what one wishes to achieve. I'd be lying to say I didn't care about money, but I'd be telling the truth to say that a quality life of writing would be more important to me as a long term goal than a short life going out with a bang. 

I was reading this article from the U.K.'s Guardian, it caught my eye with a quote from Harper Collins' CEO: Victoria Barnsley: "We can't think of ourselves as book publishers any longer. We have to see ourselves as, you know," Barnsley hesitates to use the cliché, "multimedia content producers." As well as her commenting on the relevance of where traditional publishing is and what traditional publishing means today, with the revolution of the self-publishing industry and e-publishing market. 

It's always been known that writing a book and getting a publishing deal, and finding some fame and fortune was something that didn't happen to just Anybody. The idea, the industry, was not so unlike that of say the music and film world. Some people had to pay their dues for a time, and then they reaped what was sown. Others maybe got a little lucky, and we all loved and dreamed of such fortune, right? Well, just like the music and film industry, only a select few rose from the masses to be household names and to be seen and sold upon the bookstore shelves...However, when sales would dip, authors would get a cold shoulder, and often found themselves looking in from outside, while new hopefuls were still being denied because they maybe they didn't appear to stand up to the same potential as said previous authors...who were more or less dumped down into  the little leagues of publishing. It's all been rather hypocritical and it all comes down to money. True the industry fronts and spends a lot of money to make money, but they have done so like betting on a horse race, running the running horse to near death and then putting it out to pasture for the next new thing.

Reading the Guardian article and what Barnsley had to say really made me stop and think a bit, about what I am getting myself into. While I have no delusions of grandeur, I have hopes and dreams, I have drive, I have talent, and I'm not afraid nor shy away from working towards my goals. I am self-published...and proud of that. I am published. That's all that needs to be said, really. I spent time writing, and working towards an achievement, I was at the right place, at the right time, among the right people. I wrote. I Published. I don't have a lot of money to promote and market my book, I am operating under a mantra of "more for less"! I'm okay with that, because in the end I can truly say, "I did this." It wasn't money, it wasn't other people whose only investiture was money, it was Me. I have hopes that my work will one day pay off and I will have some success- at least to the degree that I can continue to write and publish, without the need for anything else; I'd be happy with that.

Author G.J. Lentz

I am publishing my first book: House of Cards, and it is the foundation for the future. I don't know what will transpire from this endeavor, but I have a plan, I have goals, and I always have work to do. A good number of people keep asking about e-book availability- it does appear to be the way of things. I plan to offer the book for e-readers after the first of the year, not now. I had a dream that began before the Internet, and before e-books and Nooks. I want to realize and live that dream. It might not be perfect and ideal, but it is okay!

The article, mentioned before, has me thinking about what I am getting into- mostly what will I define as success, what perspective will I carry with me, and what will define me as a published writer in the world of books and e-books, the world of being published...? If it wasn't for the self-publishing industry, for forces like Amazon, and the revolution of e-books and e-readers, would I be at this moment of time as I am today?

The Old World of Publishing (the big houses, the distributors, the big chain stores) have long held the power: what and who will be "Published", and thus what and who we the masses would have to read, so readily. A New World has dawned, and it is about High Noon. I wonder how long of a day it will be. The publishing industry is slowly accepting a new way to do business, because of the monster that self-publishing has grown to be...people are flocking to alternative authors for a cheaper price and the readily available medium of the e-world. The publishing world created this revolution, it is their bastard child. Their own greed and model gave it life, and now they are scrambling to stay relevant. However, they may be embracing the newer way of things- but I wonder if there is even really going to be change at all? Before long the big houses will follow suit with the likes of Amazon and Barnes & Noble...they will (it is already starting) have their e-publishing "self-publishing" markets to suck in writers only to spit them back out like a piece of gum after its lost its initial flavor. They will probably even have their own e-reader devices and apps just as Amazon has Kindle and Barnes & Noble has its Nook. 

I can see it all now...for the chance to be associated with a well known name, authors will "self publish" under the e-umbrella of this house or that house, they'll probably have a taste of success, but they will be among a mass of those doing so, so that the big houses can get their slice of the pie through quantity. It would appear, at first, to be a fantastic idea and opportunity, but I think the same old dynamic will be at play, just gift wrapped: reel them in and throw them back out, unless you happen to be a particularly big fish- one out of who-knows-how-many-thousands to be one of the next big things. 

Wouldn't I jump into that lake, you may ask with a look, you know the one. I probably would...but I would be doing so with some caution and not so blindly as many undoubtedly will. It's going to be like American Idol with a splash of Shark Tank. Just wait. You'll see.

Postcard Swapping: The Monday Swapper...

Mondays I will be talking about postcard swaps, showing cards for swap, and some recent deliveries from the past week :) I started swapping a few years back, and have enjoyed it off and on since then. One of the wonderful things about swapping postcards is to connect with different folks from all over the world, and to have a little piece of the region, culture, and history in hand. It's almost like going to the museum, but through the mail. I've made some intriguing friends along the way too, which has really been the greatest treasure.

People who collect postcards often desire certain themes, but share a wide range of differing styles of cards. I have several that I enjoy: bridges (famous, wooden, stone...anything with a "bridge" big or small, new tech or old world...), Oriental theme (spanning all of "Asia"), windmills (particular Dutch windmills from around Netherlands or surrounding countries with Flemish heritage), and I have recently jumped on the map-card wagon. Many swappers also have a love for stamps and postmarking, or develop an interest in them from swapping postcards. I've never really cared for collecting stamps, but I do enjoy the varied beauty of the different stamps and postmarks that come with my postcards! A friend of mine, Ria, is a swapper, a collector, and has also written a book about the history of the postal service, about collecting stamps, cards, markings, and even autographs! It is available from 2 Moon Press, on Amazon & Barnes & Nobles. I haven't read the book, yet, I am eagerly awaiting my autographed copy right from the author herself, but it is sure to be full of intriguing insights and stories into the world of collecting through the mail.

I collect bridges...

There are many different ways to start collecting: one exciting way is to join a place online like Postcrossing. There you can set up a profile and you will be placed into an automated system by which you will receive up to five (to start) random names from random regions all over the world to send your cards to, and your profile will be in the system to have a card sent to you. The unique way that Postcrossing works is that when your card is received, there is a special code unique to your profile that the receiver will enter online, which gives you a credit to have more cards coming your way, and to eventually allow you to send more cards out at a time, over time. Another way would be to do a search on Facebook, for example, for postcard collecting groups, and you can start asking folks for swaps. The draw back on postcard swapping is sharing your personal information (address and Facebook friend adds) with complete strangers...I've not had any problems with anyone in that regard, but some people create a new Facebook account for this purpose, or even use a P.O. Box as an extra measure.

I have a page on Facebook where i invite people to share with me, post their cards for trades, or links for trading, and to try and find and ask for new swapping friends and experiences: Gregory's Postcardpalooza!

Here are some cards I have to offer for trade: some I may only have 1 copy of, or as few as 2 or 3, and others I have multiples for. I have over a hundred of these Star Wars comic-book cover postcards, but only one copy of each design...I have a lot of my cards on display on my Facebook page for viewing...

LOCAL HISTORY CARDS: THE ILLINOIS & MICHIGAN CANAL (I&M CANAL)

SEVERAL DIFFERENT SEASCAPE CARDS

STAR WARS COMIC BOOK COVER CARDS

MICHIGAN QUILT/MAP CARD

The Monday Swapper

The Monday Swapper starts today! On Mondays and Mondays only I will post postcards for swapping and mail them Tuesday mornings! This Monday, so far, I am sending these wonderful cards to a few of my wonderful swapping friends across the country and around the world! Please share my Blog and my Postcardpalooza page on Facebook with all your blogging and postcard buddies!

What's Your Dream Job?

put your dream to print!

In my upcoming book: House of Cards from 2 Moon Press, I discuss a little about the plight I share with countless others in the pursuit of finding work that transcends the daily grind of just having a J.O.B. to afford our existence. Most of us have to work to just pay bills, sometimes we don't always have much else to save for, and it can be rather depressing. I've dreamed and thought of Being many things in my life for many reasons: money, fame, excitement, pride...how about you? In a world where many people work jobs that don't necessarily bring any other meaning to their lives, the idea of the American Dream seems to have varying meaning these days...

Follow: Author G.J. Lentz

The core of my book is really about finding my place in life amid personal struggles and outside forces...I've learned that in life we are driven by different and changing perspectives on what Happiness means to us. With the 4th of July here this week, the elections coming up in November, and the struggles of this country (like many other places in the world too), I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be American, and the pursuit of the American Dream. Sometimes it almost seems as if our dreams are nothing but...

In my heart I know that my Dream Job provides for me, gives me pride and personal happiness, but it also should have meaning to other people, not just for the Needs and Wants of my own little bubble of a life. I've had desires to serve in the military or as a police officer, to protect and serve the people and the nation I love...but in reality I could never do such work. I've fancied myself being an actor: to play different roles and make a bunch of money to be a world renown philanthropist with my fortune and fame; I could never be that kind of person (an actor), I have social anxiety and probably couldn't act my way out of wet paper bag. I have had dreams of being an astronaut: to go into outer space, be among the stars, aid humanity in their reach to explore and conquer the universe! Alas, that is a profession and opportunity few are fortunate to achieve.

Reading and writing has long been at the core of my life, it gives me great joy and it has long been a great outlet for the stresses of my life. Reading and writing I can explore lives, worlds, and open my mind to ideas that don't necessarily present in my daily life. The stories I have read, real and make believe, helped me get through some rough times, and helped open my heart and mind to new thoughts, ideas, and hopes. With writing, I can write anywhere and anytime...there are no hours of operations, there is no desk or cubicle, and there are no limitations to what I can write about or where I can write. That is my Dream Job, and it is more than just Work, it is a lifestyle that I want to one day achieve and live. I honestly would not care much if I ever had a million dollars in my bank, as long as I could live the life of writing- that it paid my bills and funded  story after story...and to know that my words and ideas could reach anyone, anywhere, and have the same kind of affect on other peoples lives as it has of my own, well that is a very special thing.

TGIF #1

Today is Friday Friends! This is the first of my Friday postings that is all about friends and friendship...

A friend has many different meanings and they play a multiple of roles in our lives. Sometimes friends come and go, sometimes the friendship we forge with certain people grows, and we count them as something a little more, sometimes even like family. In the pantheon of friends, and as human beings, friendship is a relationship of give and take; it may well have its roots in our primitive origins: the old "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" paradigm. There is an entire psychology and philosophy behind what friendship is and what it means, as humans we like to label and define the things of our lives, as we did in our earliest cultures when we strove to find the meaning behind that which we didn't always fully understand. We often put a value on our relationships, a definition of the worth of what our friend is to us, as if it is something to barter for.

Generally we accept certain people in our lives because we share common thoughts and interests, and being the social creatures we are, we need relationships to fill varying needs and wants in our lives. We all see the world through different perspectives: similar schools of thought and meaning and contrasting, so too we see and regard friends and friendships in different lights. We all have to decide for ourselves what is important and of worth in the friends and relationships we cultivate. There may very well be truth in the idea behind reaping what you sow. So what is a friend to you? What does friendship mean in your life?

For myself, I am attracted and drawn to a wide range of people who not only share something of similar interest the likes of mine own, but people who exude other factors that make me stop and think, wow! My truest and best of of friends are those who may be like a brother or sister, someone who I can share my unabashed thoughts and feelings. I am blessed with a wide range of people who I call Friend, and they play different roles and have different meanings and places in my life. One friend isn't so much more special or of more worth than the other: just different. I try to take the people in my life as they are, and for what they mean to me, without putting a restriction and label and price tag of worth on our friendship.

I invite all the people who are my friends to comment on this post with their thoughts on friendships, and what sort of things they have going on in their life that they are passionate about and want to share with new friends. Every Friday I want to share and help connect more people and their interests, and I will be adding your links and sharing the posts every Friday. I hope to see the list grow and help to widen the circle of friendships between us all...

Friday Friends!

TGIF! Right? Well, it is still Thursday, but Friday is just around the corner. I often don't look forward to Friday like a lot of people do. I have one of those jobs where I typically work the weekend...Booo! Friends and family often post their excitement about Friday and the weekend, and sometimes I get them back come Monday (which is MY Friday), and I nana-boo-boo them as they have to start their work week all over. 

In my previous post, I mentioned the release of my book this summer: House of Cards. One of the topics in the book is my need to identify areas in my life that I have somewhat negative perspectives on, or that I just have some difficulty dealing with. Friday is one of those things...I dream of a career, and not a J.OB., where I can have those coveted weekend days off once again. In my line of current work, the weekends can be pretty stressing and hectic...BUT they are also the bread and butter of my wallet. That's life. So, I want to try and make Friday a little more fun for myself...but not just for myself, as I also discuss in my book. I have, for some time now, realized that what happiness is for me, is not just what I can get and take out of life for myself, but to find real meaning and success, I want what I do to have some kind of meaning and impact for others. So I am proudly introducing FRIDAY FRIENDS! here on my blog and on my Facebook pages.


FRIDAY FRIENDS! is a day, each and every Friday, where I would like to share with the world, whatever it is YOU have going on in YOUR life. Are you a writer? An artist? Did you start a business? Have a cause? Whatever you want to share with me and the folks I share with, let me know, hit me up, send me a line! I will post your links, a Q&A, pictures...whatever I can do to be a friend, and help you share!

Reading & Writing

I've been writing since I was old enough to do so. I remember in the 2nd grade I wrote and illustrated a story called: the Princess and the Unicorn, and I won 2nd Place! For a time I fought the concept of reading, I wanted to play with toys and watch cartoons! My parents made sure I devoted at least 30 minutes a day to reading, and one day I sat and read longer...and longer...and before I knew it I was looking for things to read, and spending hours reading! I remember my grandmother and I taking turns reading Lassie when I lived with my grandparents. 

Sometimes I hear people talk about how they don't like to read...reading is boring. I couldn't exist without reading, or writing for that matter. Some people cannot live without their sports, their crafts...reading and writing is the very core of my soul. There are so many worlds to explore and ideas to ponder through reading...and you can't read unless it was written. Sometimes when I had trouble finding new stuff to read, I would write my own stuff!


In school I didn't always do so well, not that I wasn't capable, I just had difficulty paying attention and focusing. I had a lot of challenges growing up. In the 6th grade I had a reading comprehension level of a college freshman. In high school when we were exploring the works of Shakespeare, Homer, or Hemingway, and the teacher would assign us chapters 3-5 for the next days' discussion, I would read the whole book within just a couple days. 

from 2 Moon Press: www.800publishing.com

I've recently finished writing a book: House of Cards, which is pretty much an autobiography. I talk a lot about things that had happened to me in my childhood, and the first years of my being out in the world as an adult. I share a lot of things I have long kept to myself for the most part. I speak about genetic disorders, of which I had been diagnosed as a kid, growing up with divorced parents who had their own demons, issues of abandonment, being adopted, childhood abuse of every nature, not fitting in, striving for acceptance and understanding, love and loss...and the passion for writing, writing which has helped me through the years, and even now it is a powerful force in my life. 


I plan on blogging every week about my writing endeavors, and my thoughts about being a writer. I think writers see the world differently than most...we have a unique and varied perspective on life. As an Indy, or independent writer, I also want to share my quest for exposing my work. It is a very intriguing and oft times perplexing journey to transform my life of a low-wage clock-watcher to that of my dream to support myself through writing. 


As a reader and writer I love the science fiction and fantasy genres, horror and paranormal, I love the whole scope of speculative fiction...I love George R.R. Martin before HBO picked up the Game of Thrones series, Gail Z. Martin, R.A. Salvatore, Michael Stackpole, King and Koontz, Timothy Zahn, to just name a few. 


I would love to share your web content, let's help each other! Let me know how I can help you, so we can help each other realize our dreams!


House of Cards will be available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, from me, and through my publisher: 2 Moon Press Book Publishing. 


I can be found on Twitter (AuthorGJLentz) and Facebook: Author G.J. Lentz and House of Cards by G.J. Lentz