NPR Covers Gather.Com "First...

Today on National Public Radio's All Things Considered, Lynn Neary covered the "First Chapters" contest put on by Gather.Com & Borders Books. After a brief overview of the publishing industry's classic "slush pile"and the recent changes in book publishing, Neary talked to winners Terry Shaw (fellow Knoxvillian) and Geoffrey Edwards about their previous experience with publishing and the contest here at Gather. Both men will have their books released September 18, and the books will have prime shelf space - at least at Borders.

Terry Shaw on winning: You Won - Just Don't Tell Anyone
Geoffrey Edwards story: The Fire Bell Tango

Comments: 11

Shawn "left this place" W Aug 21, 2007, 11:22pm EDT

Interesting post.

I decided to check out the article, and found this.
"They began to publish short stories and poems for comment and critique," Gerace says. "And so we began to encourage a writers' forum ... a special space for writers to get together on Gather."

I have no words...

reply to this comment

Dannielle S. Aug 22, 2007, 12:05am EDT

It's as if those who came here in the first wave thought they were buying a house, and then found out they'd only purchased one room of it.

reply to this comment

Shawn "left this place" W Aug 22, 2007, 12:13am EDT

Dannielle, I'm glad you could come up with a suitable response.

reply to this comment

Kathryn E. Aug 22, 2007, 12:42am EDT

Good to know.

reply to this comment

Aniko Aug 22, 2007, 1:34am EDT

"One of those writers was Geoffrey Edwards, who...."

Not exactly.... Both Geoffrey and Terry seemed to have joined Gather specifically for the contest. Terry definitely, but I don't see Geoffrey having anything dating from before either. Which is fine, of course, but he wasn't one of those posting short stories for critique, for some strange, unexplained reason. (Which is probably why he got to finish his novel instead of wasting time. Arggh.)

reply to this comment

Frightening Icon, Official Varmint of The State of Franklin Aug 22, 2007, 7:56am EDT

Shawn, you're making me laugh. The good part about the NPR coverage is that it may actually encourage more serious writers to come here - or at least ones who only post their own work, spell check, and have a passing acquaintance with grammar.

reply to this comment

Ina ♥ Tagline Free Since September '09 ♥ Aug 22, 2007, 9:26am EDT

FI ~ Let's just hope that what you said above is true, and also that the PTB finally realize the potential of this site and address the issues that are keeping so much of our talent at bay.

reply to this comment