Literary blogs - even prestigious literary blogs (http://lbc.typepad.com) seem kind of pointless to me - like a bunch of best seller reading junkies chatting about best sellers. I don’t see much difference between them and sports bloggers or soap opera bloggers. I mean, if you really want to contribute something to the field of creative writing (and you don’t do creative writing yourself) then why not blog about UNpublished writers. THEY could use the mention.

So…I would like a blog that concerns UNpublished writers who would like to become published writers. I got no use for blogging about best sellers, and best selling authors got no use for whatever bloggers might say about them anyway. But I have a great use for blogging about how to get published.

Litmocracy seems like an ideal place to have a continuing discussion (blog) on this subject. The writers and editors here are pretty serious about what they do, and pretty good at it. What do you think?

Sure, that idea fits right in with the Unpublished Books category.  I just wonder if this blog/discussion should be in the forum or something separate.  I don’t know if ranking blog entries is all that useful (if it is, I can make a new category in the workshop).  What are some elements of blogs that would be missing if we just kept a thread in here?  I could create a new community forum called “Unpublished”.  The category “unpublished writer” is kind of open-ended on the bottom.  I mean, everyone is a “writer” right?  Maybe it should be called “Trying to get published” or “Up and Coming”.

Stokey, how about if I create a forum - you pick the name - and then you post entries to it about unpublished writers.  I guess the concept doesn’t run well in my head because… mostly I’d want to say what I already say in discussions or comments on pieces that such writers submit.  But maybe I’d see more to it if I spent more time looking at other literary sites.  What do you think?

1. Okay, I wrote you a big long response and then edited out all the superfluous. What’s left is this. This forum would be fine for an on-going discussion or links on how to get published; or as you say, a new category “Agent-Publisher Connect.”

2. My efforts have turned up one common thread - agents and publishers are looking for a recommendation from an editor or published author before they want to waste their time reading something I’ve written.

3. Some published authors (who aren’t knocking them dead on the NYT best seller list) might want to take advantage of “free publicity” at Litmocracy in exchange for lending a helping hand, if they’re so inclined.

4. There are agents and authors who blog. Maybe Dave or somebody could drop them a line inviting them to check out the fine writing at Litmocracy.

5. If we could all get together and compile a list of -  agents and authors who blog, editors and literary review sites who might want to exchange links here, or other pertinent sources, or other useful ideas. Hey, it’s a world wide web - let’s use it to our advantage.

How about this.  Instead of just adding an agent, author, literary review site or what have you to a list, send them an invitation and let us know about it.  Tell us about them and their blog, and tell them about Litmocracy.  That way, if other members feel they have something to help build the relationship, they can also visit the blogger and lobby them to check us out.  And if such a blogger does become a member, they can respond in the threads about them.

I just created the Networking forum for such thread.  Thanks Stokey!