PNMagazineAutumn01

PN MAGAZINE

Britain's Most Read Poetry Magazine

Communicating Across The Barriers - Worldwide

Autumn 2001

Spreading the word by Dave Taub

I've always been a believer in the concepts of "What goes round, comes round," or "You reap what you sow." Having said that, I do not believe that to the exclusion of 'good and bad luck' - events and occurrences outside of our control.

However, I don't intend to turn this column into a 'philosophic muse' but, rather, my opening statement is to set into context the two writers I am featuring in this issue. Both Mary Dixon Lake and Glenda Ivey are classic examples of writers who have achieved success, not at the expense of others, not 'competing' against other writers, or in isolation from others, but by helping others - opening up opportunities for others. In turn, and as has generally been my intent with this regular column, this offers you the opportunity to further expand your horizons.

The means and ways that Mary and Glenda have helped others, though different to each other, can be argued that the paths they have followed have, in turn, opened opportunities for them, and hence they have 'reaped what they have sown'. I leave them to tell their stories in their own words.

In common with Mary, Glenda Ivey also achieved her success as an author, speaker and promoter, on the path of helping others. I am particularly thrilled with her latest venture which stands to open up opportunities for writers around the world, and this is her story:

"I started writing with the same intent that most writers do - having too many thoughts and ideas not to put them to pen and paper. Once I'd transferred those musings to a tangible source, they were cleared from the thinking process, and I was free to go on to the next project, unleashing new thoughts and new ideas. That worked for a several years, then I wanted more. I wanted the world to read what I'd written. Three completed novels later, I managed to let go of my 'precious jewels' and send them out into the cold, uncaring world of

publishing.

The well-known, New York agents and publishing houses sent back the nicest rejection slips; "Great novel, but our list is full," and "Impressive story-line, professionally written; however, we already have our share of stories of this genre." This simply encouraged me to seek publication elsewhere, resulting in my first published novel, Silent Revenge, with the second one, Ripped Apart, due out in February, 2001.

Something else happened to me during those few years of trying to find a home for my writing. I discovered, when I bought my first computer in 1996, that there was very little in the way of help for writers on this new contraption of mine. I was stunned. Here I had before me the opportunity to visit, and learn about any place in the world, correspond with people all over the world, but I couldn't find the help I needed to learn more about my craft and, more importantly, to promote my work. Being a person who refuses to conform to the "status quo" of this planet, I set out to do something about the lack of information writers had access to.

I created a web site called Authors Circle of Success, www.JadaPromotion.com, being very careful to choose only well-written works. I laboured fervently, sending information about these authors to agents, book publishers, movie producers and anyone I could think of who might be able to further the success of these marvellous writers, now totalling almost 100. This venture was originally designed to embrace authors with books published in printed form because, at that time, that's the version of writing and publishing that I was most familiar with. Many people asked me why I would spend so much time and energy promoting that many authors without charging a fee. My answer is simple, "My site is on there also." And there's another reason, if only one author listed with Authors Circle of Success benefits in any way from being on that site, I will consider my time and energy well spent - after all, that one person could be me, or you.

Beginning October, 2001, the Authors Circle of Success will be accepting submissions from poets and authors of ePublished books (books produced on the internet). The publishing world is changing daily, and being an individual who loves a challenge, I look forward to spotlighting all genres o writing, and all forms of publishing, with the exception of X-rated.

Realising that almost half the year of 2001 was gone, and still not satisfied with the lack of networking and support that deserving authors had access to, I decided it was time for something new and bigger.

On May 14, 2001, Florida Writers Association, Inc. was founded as a non-profit, educational organization for the support and networking of writers. Since Florida is my home state, I knew quite a few authors, and sent out invitations for them to join this new forum. The results, in such a short amount of time, have been overwhelming. Word is spreading far past the boundaries of the State of Florida. We already have members from other states, and I have requests for membership applications from as far away as the Netherlands, Australia, Great Britain and South Africa.

I've had writers tell me, "Our state really needs something like this " This tells me that no matter where we live, as writers, we need support from other writers, and access to information crucial to our trade. I am in the process of trade-marking the slogan, "Writers Helping Writers," convinced that's the only way we'll prosper and get our work out for the world to see. If it isn't seen, it won't be published.

Florida Writers Association, Inc. will keep the same name; however, the boundaries that were first set for it no longer exist. It is not only for the State of Florida, and authors who live in Florida or even the USA. It's for everyone who wants to network and help each other. For an association to be of benefit to all writers, it needs support from those who are involved. It takes the feeding of information from other English speaking countries of the world to let us know what's happening where and when, so we can share. We are no longer bound to our own town, our own state or even our own country. Let's join forces and let each other know 'what works and what doesn't work.' - 'Writers Helping Writers.' With this type of co-operation and interest, we will learn the answer to "The Writing World - How Big Is It?" It is, indeed, very small."

Membership with Florida Writers Assn., Inc. gives those with internet

access an automatic listing of their website and email address. In

addition, and for those not on the internet, there is the bimonthly

issue of The Florida Palm Magazine - in reality, a 32 page membership magazine, which will rapidly expand in size and content as membership increases. Annual overseas membership, is $40.00, payable in U.S.

currency in the form of a Bank Cheque, Travellers Cheque or Money Order.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Florida Writers Assn - For submission requests and more

information about Florida Writers Assn., Inc. and "Writers

Helping Writers" see www.floridawriters.net, email:

Glenda Ivey at FlaWritersAssn@aol.com or

Write to: FWA Inc, PO Box 440535, FL 32222, USA

print with Poetry Now Magazine, UK (Autumn 2001 issue)

All or any of the above may be used without restriction by

Glenda Ivey (Florida Writers Assoc Inc.), Mary Dixon Lake,

and Bebop Books, on condition that David Taub is associated

with /referenced to the article, acknowledging Poetry Now

magazine.