Would You Be Interested?

[Sally]

I have been wondering if any of you think that there would be a market for a book made up of poetry and short essays about the Transsexual experiences written by a rambling old Lady?

Or would you just prefer it if I stop posting all of this garbage?

I'm taking comments as well as the poll.

Love ya, at least until I've read your comments,

Sally

[Guest Elizabeth K]

A smaller dose of poetry, or just short poems - with a large selection of essays would work for me . It would be great if they tied together, I mean the poetry and the essay - each set on a specific subject. And illustrations! At least graphics - a real piece of media presentation. What if different people contributed different artwork or illistrations? OR - darn it, just realized, use your photography!

You gonna do it? Can I help -please-please-please?

Lizzy

[Guest Zabrak]

I don't think I'd buy it for those reasons but I'd buy it because it's by you! Although I would refer people to a book about trans because we need more out there.

[Guest Evan_J]

I have to buy it Sally because its you. Otherwise you won't feed me anything else chickenfried Now if you asked "do I think this book will be bought by people who don't know me", actually, because of the timeliness, yes. It would be a good time (ironically) because of the transman thing. You would get some mainstream sales out of curiousity. Some from "wanting to know more and say I own a trans book" and some (more members of the lgbt community) because its a part of lgbt poetry/lit. But move quick, the transman thing will get cold.

[Guest Naomi Stardust]

i agree with Lizzy

but you know it's way easier to write a book than get it published

you'd need a good editor, and proof reader (someone or someones professional)

there are some fantastic threads on Laura's that you might want to consider adding, maybe abridged versions

i have a great comment to put on the back!

"reading this book will change your gender"

i like the format, essay poem artwork, essay poem artwork, thread poem artwork...

personal stories from a variety of people could be part of it, but keep the focus on essays

i think it's a good idea

[Guest Kelly Ann]

erm...if you need to make a 'pocket edition' I might arrange the use of a Shrink Ray...alas it's no good for making an 'abridged' version so an editor will be needed to squeek it into The Reader's Digest...you can use this as a quote from me if you like..."Sally's work Changed My Life." Kelly Ann

[Guest Robynn]

i agree with Lizzy

but you know it's way easier to write a book than get it published

you'd need a good editor, and proof reader (someone or someones professional)

there are some fantastic threads on Laura's that you might want to consider adding, maybe abridged versions

i have a great comment to put on the back!

"reading this book will change your gender"

i like the format, essay poem artwork, essay poem artwork, thread poem artwork...

personal stories from a variety of people could be part of it, but keep the focus on essays

i think it's a good idea

It is a good idea. I can personally attest to the fact it is easier to write a book than get it published.

Robyn

[Guest Robynn]

I have been wondering if any of you think that there would be a market for a book made up of poetry and short essays about the Transsexual experiences written by a rambling old Lady?

Or would you just prefer it if I stop posting all of this garbage?

I'm taking comments as well as the poll.

Love ya, at least until I've read your comments,

Sally

Sally:

Some advice if you consider taking stuff from here from those who have been burnt:

When considering adding items from ANY on-line source you need to remember one thing: On-line does NOT equal Public Domain! Some people, myself included, are very careful when it comes to copyright. And yes, I would take someone to court for copyright violations! I am currently trying to sell three completed novels (two of which have already had contracts on them) and am working on three others (two sitting temporarily shelved while the third is being pushed forward, but notes are written on those quite often). The last thing I would want is for someone to come along and snag something I've shared with a group. I don't post on AOL for the same reason (read the fine print on their ToS contract).

Also, don't be surprised if someone says "Sure, I'll let you use this, but it is going to cost you for that use." A good example: While I have shared my story "The Dress" here on these forums, for it to be included I would probably ask for either a flat fee or a percentage. Any good literary agent would have my hide for not asking that.

Good rule of thumb: When in doubt, ASK! A good friend of mine (when she remembers) by the name of Dee Dreslough (http://www.dreslough.com/) was seriously sued by Ann McCaffrey's publishers (not Ann herself) for trademark infractions just for mentioning some of her dragons were inspired by Ann's Dragon Rider's of Pern series. The net result cost her quite a bit! This is one of the reasons many in the chat room will hear my scorn over things like Dungeons and Dragons and any of the Wizards of the Coast publications. These people have a marked history for suing people, as does Marvel Comics.

Just passing on hard-won advice. Good luck if you do decide to go through with it!

Robyn

[Guest Leigh]

i voted that i would borrow it, but if you are the "rambling old Lady" who writes it, then i'll buy it.

love you

&peace an' all that

[Sally]

Robynn,

I was planning on just things that I have written, I have had a number of people offer to do illustrations and contribute but I feel that this sort of thing is intensly personal and I was going to be the author of all of it.

My question was to those who have read my stories - if they thought that anyone wopuld ever bother to read any of them.

I have been burned in business deals and marriage so I am not so trusting anymore, but thanks for looking out for me.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest ~Brenda~]

I have been wondering if any of you think that there would be a market for a book made up of poetry and short essays about the Transsexual experiences written by a rambling old Lady?

Or would you just prefer it if I stop posting all of this garbage?

I'm taking comments as well as the poll.

Love ya, at least until I've read your comments,

Sally

Sally,

Please publish your poems!! Your poems are our lasting legacy!! They will be all that remains after we are gone!

Love

bernii

[Guest Melanieshaman]

yes, indeed i would buy it, if nothing else to support you, and the community..which makes me think (and i know someone else mentioned it) maybe as a community we could make a book or poetry, articles, thoughts, art, photography, etc.. a real joint creative effort.... could be fun..or i could be an idiot...you decide LOL

[Guest julia_d]

I don't do poetry.. my last lodger was into writing it all the time, and bashing my ears with it to the point of distraction..

I would be interested in the essays and ramblings though as I'm always interested in random or relevant things from different points of view.

[Guest Donna Jean]

Sally.....

Hon, you know that I'm there!

I said I'd buy it AND recommend it to my friends! You know who I mean...the oil field workers, electricians, pipeline roughnecks, well drilling trash....those guys! All of my friends!

Although, they may not get as much out of it as I do....

Love.....

Donna Jean

[Flint]

I'd buy it. I'd read it. I'd reccomend it to a friend. And i'd keep it in a sacred place on my book shelf along with all my other fave books.

[Sally]

My gosh, I have been working on this book for a long time now - it is finished as far as the writing - I have proof read everything and am making the final corrections - I have found a publisher but they seem to want the poems only - the essays would be in another book.

They require a minimum of 50 poems - I have 78.

They are looking for works about and by people who have been dealing with adversity - I think that this book and myself both qualify.

If I can get my printer to work, I should be mailing it off next week.

Wish me luck.

Love ya,

Sally

[Flint]

Good luck

[Guest JeanVier]

Sally!

This is so exciting! I am working on my Bachelor's thesis (double major, Psychology and English), and I am planning a book-length manuscript of poetry, creative nonfiction pieces, and 'scholarly' psych research writing, all under the banner of "trans--". Mostly transgender, but also trans-formations of home, values, ethnic/cultural heritage... So, reading this post is so inspiring! You must keep us updated on everything.

Have you ever read "Trans" by Hilda Raz? It is a book of poetry by an older feminist cisgender woman, but it deals with her relationship with her transitioning son (FTM), before-during-after, reflections on her own gender identity, and her changing relationships to her family. Fascinating.

-JV

[Guest seanjamie]

Sally your awesome get it out there and I'll not only read it, i'll buy it and recommend it to everyone I know

[Guest Esperanza Xochitl]

Since I haven't read it yet I said I'd buy the book. It sounds like it'd be of interest, but I'd have to read it before recommending it. I too would like to put out a book someday.