So Long and Thanks for All the Fish
posted by Deven Desai
I wanted to say thanks to the folks at Concurring Opinions and to the readers for having me as a guest.
In addition, as some have posted about writing, blogging, and what it takes to write a novel (and perhaps even have it published), I offer John Scalzi as a lovely parting gift. As I mentioned before, John is one of my oldest friends. He also happens to blog at Whatever and his novel, Old Man’s War, has been nominated for both the Hugo Award (one of the top awards for science fiction writing) and the Campbell Award which goes to the best new writer in science fiction. So yes, his first published novel is nominated for both categories. John managed all this by publishing his novel in serial form on his Web site.
But lest you think that online, self-publishing works for novels at all times, John is quite honest (link fixed) about that:
[G]iven the choice between placing or serializing one’s work online, and creating a kickass blog/Web site that draws people in and has them returning on a repeat basis, I think it’s much smarter to build that kickass Web site. No one would have read either Agent or Old Man’s War if I had simply put them up cold
what it takes to be paid to write, and other matters of interest to bloggers and writers. Two recent interviews one at Meme Therapy and one at Some Fantastic (warning it is 2.2 MB pdf) give good slices of his insights and explain how blogging and being known by people like Instapundit affect writing.
I think John’s advice applies to anyone interested in writing. So if you want to see how one person has turned blogging and writing into a well-paid profession from home, take a read of the interviews and visit his site. Then send him email, tons of it, because he usually responds and I know he is finishing up the third novel in the Old Man’s War series.
August 3, 2006 at 3:30 pm
Posted in: Blogging
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Responses (6)
Daniel J. Solove - August 3, 2006 at 4:55 pm
Thanks, Deven, for your great visit.
greglas - August 3, 2006 at 6:22 pm
Thanks for your posts. And good title for this one.
Deven Desai - August 3, 2006 at 6:44 pm
Greg,
I had no idea about your goodbye post but I guess little is new under the sun. Not sure whether I am a dolphin but Vogons are probably on the way.
Dave Hoffman - August 3, 2006 at 10:18 pm
Deven, you’ve been a great guest. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
Dave Hoffman - August 3, 2006 at 11:10 pm
BTW, you can’t overuse hitchhiker’s guide lines.
Paul Gowder - August 4, 2006 at 10:00 am
Just as long as nobody posts any Vogon poetry.
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