19
Oct
From Writers Organizations –
-
Ebook / Print author equality
Join the 21st Century, people! Yes, it’s very nice to be published in print, but a lot of books are ebooks now. It’s time to treat a writer like a published author, if they are published, you know what I mean?
You can’t have your cake and eat it. Either a published author is a published author regardless of medium, or we need a new categorization for writers on a whole. Anything else is simply unacceptable. And if those ebook authors don’t qualify for published status, then frankly, I’d like to see a dues reduction, as they often do not get the same benefits as other published authors. - Global rather than National affiliations
The Net has no borders! If you accept dues from international members, then how about broadening the horizon of the organization? How about embracing all writers, regardless of location? How about conferences in other countries, albeit smaller ones?
- Support for Local groups
And I mean SUPPORT, not just "You may use our initials". I am talking about providing those local groups with something more. Frankly what I don’t want to see is members paying extra to belong to a local chapter. That should be a given.
If a local group has to rent space to meet, then I’d like to see a subsidy for this, or a bit of a discount on the fees. After all — they don’t have to belong to your "club" to meet up.
- Fair dues
I mean membership dues. Just because you do not live in the same country, you shouldn’t be penalized for it. (If you are a RWA member, you know I’m talking about the shipping costs for RWR, which you should be able to opt OUT of — and which, incidentally, should be available electronically. Global warming, carbon emissions etc!)
I’d like to see a tiered approach to membership dues. The more you get, the more you’ll likely pay. But I don’t think an unpublished author (who, after all, doesn’t earn from their writing) should pay the same as a published author, who may have access to a great deal more resources than an unpublished one.
- Discount negotiations
Things like writing books, paper, ink, toner, notebooks, software, insurance, web hosting, web design, travel, promotional items… you name it. Benefits, you know?
- Services
Things like legal advice, mediation, that kind of thing. Discounted writing retreats, stuff like that.
I pay dues for benefits, so the more an organization can offer its members, the more people will be willing to join.
There are more I can think of, many more, especially when it comes to benefits. I’d love to see an organization take up the gauntlet I’ve thrown down here and run with those suggestions.
And if there isn’t one — maybe it’s time some writers got together and started a truly global "club". An inclusive, rather than exclusive one.
And if Nanowrimo.org can negotiate deals with various companies… then I don’t see why writers organizations can’t do this.
What would you like to see?
30
Jul
My "Writing Room" is the second bedroom, which I’ve converted into a study. (Believe me, my significant other laments the day.) That’s where the novels come to life, where I hide out to plot and do nasty things to my characters, where my books reside and where I spend most of my time.
It is dominated by my desk. It’s big. It’s oak. It used to belong to the Mother Superior of a nearby convent, therefore it is also holy. (Anyone want a massive holy oak desk???)
I’ll probably have to take a chainsaw to it, if I ever want to get it out of this room again. I’m serious. It takes up a quarter of the room, not counting the big leather back director’s chair.
At least I can get all the reference books stacked onto it, that’s a plus side. I cleaned all those up the other day. You couldn’t even find the desk under all the clutter.
Behind me is a built in, floor to ceiling, book shelf. It’s full. Next to that is a small fireplace (all our rooms have fireplaces, it’s an old building.) and above that is… more shelving. Taken up, of course, by books. To the left of that is another floor to ceiling bookshelf. Also full, bar one shelf. I cleared out some books. Whee!
Next to the big oak desk is a small wooden table unit which has the HiFi and a second monitor on it.
Paul commandeered the corner of my big desk for his laptop. I’ll let him have that, but it irks me. LOL.
Although there are two windows in the room, it is very dark. It’s right by the main staircase, which blocks out all the light, so I end up having to have the lights on in here during the day. I’d love to have a nice, light and airy room, but alas… unless I kick us out of the bedroom, that’s so not going to happen.
So that’s where I write. We live in a very quiet area, so there is practically no noise (not counting the guys downstairs, who occasionally make our floor vibrate with the bass of their HiFi…).
And to top it off…
There you have it.
Where do you write?
If you take a photo, I’d love to see it. Blog about it, and reply with the link. 