Hey Gather Friends,
If you've known me for a while, you may notice that I'm no longer in orbit. Yes, I've come down to earth a bit. I've decided that, as heavenly as it might be, the name AstroGirl just doesn't sound too professional for a writer.
I'm getting serious about my writing, proofreading, and editing career, after working with a career coach and figuring out that it's really what I want to do. That's reason number one for the name change.
Reason number two is, in a baby step toward getting paid to write, I joined a site that actually pays me, Associated Content. OK, I'll admit they don't pay me much. It may not even be considered a living wage in some third world countries. Anyway, if you're ever in the AC neighborhood, look me up and we'll gossip about Gather behind its back.
Now, Associated Content said when I signed up that some of their content partners (whoever they might be), would not buy content if it didn't come with a professional-sounding byline, so I opted not to go with AstroGirl.
Then, one of life's sad little ironies happened. I tried to publish one of my book reviews on Associated Content --- the one about Terry Pratchett, which I'd previously posted here and on my own blog. Associated Content rejected it, telling me never to resubmit it again, because they found it had previously been posted somewhere on the web by someone named "AstroGirl."
Rejected for plagiarizing my own content! Curses! Foiled again!
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Comments: 26
I'm glad you are serious about your writing now, and I wish you luck.
As Bill Murray said (goldfish Gill in his pocket) "Baby steps...baby steps..."
Sandi, yes, but as far as I can tell, there's no way to have a direct dialogue with their editors. So, we'll see. I've resubmitted it with an explanation.
Liz, I'll believe anything, as long as it comes from Bill Murray.
Jan, congratulations to your friend. I'm aware of most publishers not wanting previously published work, although many magazines actually will consider it. But, it's not really my goal to write essays, anyway.
I write fiction that nobody on the internet has seen, because that's my real goal, so nobody but close friends can see it until it gets published. I just want to make a few extra bucks for doing blogging I would do anyway, that's the reason for signing up with AC. I also blog so that I can have a built-in base of readers to announce my published work to, when it comes time for that.
Dorothy, I have never been too fond of this place we call the earth, which is why I've kept my distance up until now. The planet itself is fine, but humanity is more like a fine mess. Thanks for asking.
:-D
Good luck with the writing -- you're sure to do well writing, but getting spotted in the crowd of aspiring writers is where the luck will come in handy. Write on!
I have thought at times of how difficult it would be to surrender my "nom de plume" in orde to publish my musings.
http://friendsofdanh.gather.com.
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Dannielle, that's for sure. It's certainly a competitive field.
*n*k*, I may have explained this badly, I think. They actually do allow you to publish your previously published content, although they don't pay you for it, except if you get a lot of page views. They had no problem publishing several other book reviews I have also published previously here, presumably because they didn't find that I had published them under another name. What they do not allow at all is submission of other people's work, which is just fine with me, as I don't usually do that anyway, unless I have permission and give credit to the person. I only mentioned it because I kind of think it's funny, to be accused of plagiarizing something I actually wrote.
Peter, what about a different nom de plume? Yours already sounds professional, at least to people who don't know about Dorothy Sayers, but I suspect you would have to change it to get published, because of it already being the name of a fictional character and all.
Sandy, I hear you. I am actually glad that AC does this. I'm making fun of them. The interaction on Gather is certainly better. I've never joined a site before where nobody welcomed me after several posts, as has happened on AC. I guess people go there to read, not to interact. That's fine. I also don't like the fact that AC adds links to things you didn't link to that are more or less irrelevant, making it difficult for people to tell where your real links are, but I think there's nothing I can do about that.
Beth, that's the real important thing for me, for sure.
Thanks all.
I published on AC before I joined Gather. They are picky, because they also sell to other outlets. Your writing style is great and I'm really enjoying your pieces here on Gather. I'll drop by your AC content, too! Good luck!
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