HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: JTCHEW@lbl.gov (Ad absurdum per aspera)
Newsgroups: misc.writing
Subject: Re: Rejection Slips
Followup-To: misc.writing
Date: 22 Dec 1992 17:08:51 GMT
Organization: Honest Ernie's Used Ions
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: 128.3.252.152

I once got a rejection letter (from Mother Jones) addressed to Professor
Joseph Chew, New Mexico Military Institute, Socorro, NM.  New Mexico
Tech (in Socorro, NM) sent it to NMMI (Roswell, NM), which stamped 
it no-such-animal and sent it back to Socorro.   By this time the envelope
had more rubber-stampings on it than a hashish smuggler's  passport, 
so Tech did a little detective work and finally sent it to *student* Joseph

Chew.  Who found therein a polite and helpful (if sporadically misspelled) 
explanation of why they didn't want the article.  

Joe
"The pallid pimp of the dead-line/The enervate of the pen" --Robert Service
From: ojvind@chagall.cns.caltech.edu (Ojvind Bernander)
Newsgroups: misc.writing
Subject: Translation
Date: 27 Dec 1992 23:24:32 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology
NNTP-Posting-Host: chagall.cns.caltech.edu

I'm fluent in both Swedish (grew up there) and English (I have had
a short story published in mass paperback).  I'd like to try my
hand at translating fiction into English.  Does anyone know who
to get in touch with?
   _
-- Ojvind
Newsgroups: misc.writing
From: jern@visual1.jhuapl.edu (Bob Jernigan)
Subject: Re: Grammar
Reply-To: jern@visual1.jhuapl.edu (Bob Jernigan)
Organization: Johns Hopkins University
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 92 13:40:45 GMT

In article <4200@eastman.UUCP>, beaver@esl370.uucp (Robert L. Beaver (Systems Admin)) writes:
|> 
|> 	I'm one of those people who would love to be a writer. 
... stuff deleted ...
|> 	Basically, what I'm saying is that I don't think most teachers 
|> today are equiped to teach.  My eight grade english teacher certainly
|> was not. 

I guess I'm also a wanna be.  I've written just enough to know that
writing is hard work.  Most of my writing now is technical, not much
fun but it pays.

I don't remember my eight grade teacher but I do remember every language
teacher I've had since.  I don't think there is one I would trade
for another.  In high school I couldn't get enough literature
courses.  My English 101 teacher inspired me to change my major
from Math to English. (Finished in philosophy.)  She made a point 
about grammar and vocabulary that I'll never forget.  She said, 
"Your grammar and your vocabulary will establish your peers."

That statement made me realize that both are wonderful tools.  They
can be used in all sorts of situations, not just in writing.  In my
life I've spoken the language of construction workers, stevedores,
professional soldiers, corporate execs, and of philosophers.  It
certainly makes life more fun.

bob jernigan
Newsgroups: misc.writing
Organization: Queen's University at Kingston
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 22:00:44 EST
From: <BAHRIR@QUCDN.QueensU.CA>
Newsgroups: misc.writing
Subject: Darkside Magazine: Advice Wanted

"Exhumed" is a darkside fiction magazine a co-op writers'
group has started to publish.

First issue was October 1992 and the upcoming issue will be
published late January 1993.

file
We plan to stay with a print format for three main reasons:

1   So we can include graphic illustrations which add to the
    atmosphere of the fiction

2   To remain accessible to the widest possible audience.

3   "Exhumed" offers
    entertainment primarily, something to read in bed, take
    to the cottage or on a plane flight.

Our first issue was complementary and was distributed through
Kingston-area bookstores, at Queen's University and at St. Lawrence
college.

The next issue will have a lot sleeker appearance with a black and
white glossy cover and saddlestiched stapling (i.e. like Time
and Newsweek, staple goes through the fold
on the spine).

Problems we are encountering are mainly (can you guess!) $! $! $!

The local periodical distributor advised us that if he distributed
"Exhumed" it would likely get buried at the back of the bottom
row on the magazine racks where it would not attract attention because of
being only black and white.

Local bookstores tend to be leery of taking magazines on consignment.
I can see their point of view and know that there will likely be
some pilfering .

We have sold some ads to local businesses.  By issue 3 we will have
#2 to show to advertisers which will give us more credibility.  But
the darkside theme tends to seem either too controversial or too
frivolous for some advertisers.


Has anyone tried any kind of printed self-publishing like this?
Any hints would be welcome.

Any hints on how to locate subscribers would be especially welcome.
Darkside fiction has a huge appeal so we know we have to broaden
our reach geographically.

We are also considering offering our editing / critiquing services
(for a modest fee) to beginning writers of darkside fiction.  Any
comments on that one?

Please e-mail me any comments, responses, hints, etc. and I will
post a report of findings here when I have some!

Thank you,

Ruth Bahri
Newsgroups: misc.writing
From: linden@adcalc.fnal.gov
Subject: Freelance writers??
Organization: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 09:31:28 GMT

I am thinking of trying to do some freelance writing.
Mainly non-fiction stuff.
I don't have any expeirence in writing except for the basic college
English classes and the dozen term papers I had to do.
The nerby community college is offering a class in writing.
I was thinking of taking it.
I was hoping to see more action on this net on the subject
of freelance writing. So far I;ve been disapointed.
Any comments out there.
From: cj137@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Jack Jeffries)
Newsgroups: misc.writing
Subject: Writing Books!!!!
Date: 21 Dec 1992 20:48:54 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc10.ins.cwru.edu


Books on Writing for sale
-------------------------

Honk if You're a Writer (286 pages) PB $6

A Rhetoric and Handbook (390 pages) PB $8

Modern Composition and Rhetoric (626 pages) HB $10

The Harper Handbook of College Composition (768 pgs) HB $5

Writing Research Papers (184 pages) PB $3

Handbook of Poetic Forms (224 pages) PB $5

St. Martin's Handbook (797 pages) HB $12

The Penn State Reader: 20 (355 pages) PB $3

Three Centuries of Children's Books in Europe (297 pgs) HB $9

Learn WORD Now! (400 pages) PB $7

Wordperfect 5.1 QuickStart (427 pages) PB $10


Short Story Collections
-----------------------

Winter's Tales New Series six (304 pages) HB $6

Winter's Tales New Series seven (304 pages) HB $6

Ten Great Mysteries by Edgar Allan Poe (219 pages) PB $2

Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories (654 pages) PB $4

Mommoth Book of Ghost Stories 2 (658 pages) PB $4


*** also have a paperback listing & computer book list
    if interested please ask.

EMAIL PLEASE.
From: dick@smith.CHI.IL.US (Dick Smith)
Newsgroups: misc.writing
Subject: Re: Publishers on the Net??
Date: 23 Dec 92 08:34:29 GMT
Reply-To: dick@smith.CHI.IL.US (Dick Smith)
Organization: R. H. E. Smith Corp., Wheeling, IL

>Barry Shell (shell@cs.sfu.ca) wrote:
>: Does anyone know if the big New York publishing houses are on
>: the Internet? Like Simon and Shuster, HarperCollins, Houghton Mifflin,
>: Bantam Doubleday Dell, Penguin USA, Random House, etc.
>

fishbone@astro.ocis.temple.edu (Greg Fishbone) writes:
>Houghton is not on Internet, but they have their own DECnet system....

It's hard enough for cutting-edge high-tech businesses to justify net
access, much less a publishing house.  I doubt if there are any with
corporate connections to the Internet.  I can't imagine why they'd want
them!

There is at least one Tor editor with an account on a public access unix
system in NYC who occasionally posts to some newsgroups.  I don't know
if he's lurking in this one (I haven't noticed him posting, but I kill a
lot!).  Are you out there, Patrick?  There may be a few others scattered
around.

I doubt if ANY of them want to try to initiate  business by email but
I'm prepared to be proven wrong.  I suspect that if they're using
email for business at all, it is to communicate with their established
authors.

-- 
Dick Smith				dick@smith.chi.il.us
Newsgroups: misc.writing
From: jwilliam@stsci.EDU (John Williams)
Subject: Re: Grammar
Reply-To: jwilliam@stsci.EDU (John Williams)
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 21:23:50 GMT

--
>D M Yoshikami writes:
>Something that I forgot to mention.  One other very good way to learn
>grammar is to take a foreign language such as German or Spanish.  If
>you feel like going for the gusto, take Latin or Greek.  I found
>German to be a bit more utilitarian because English still betrays its
>Germanic roots if you look carefully enough, although it does have
>quite a buncha romance loan words (about 45% of the vocabulary).

How true.  My oldest son is taking his first year of Latin and I am trying 
to help him with it.  (It's only been 25 years since my last Latin class.)  I 
am busy scraping the rust off my memories of grammar.  It is clear that 
he didn't learn his eighth grade grammar.  Now he is forced to learn it in 
the context of another language.  His Latin teacher thinks this is typical.
She believes the students learn more about English grammar than they 
do about Latin.

I agree with those who believe good grammar is important.  For me, the 
purpose of writing is communication.  If I do not make the effort to clearly 
express my ideas, the reader won't waste his time on what I have to say.
Numerous readers have called me after reading one of my magazine 
articles.  I've found they take great delight in nailing you when you've 
made a mistake (grammatical or otherwise).  More frequently, if you are 
clear and focused in your writing, you will hear them ask for more.

*****************************************************************************
*John Williams - jwilliam@stsci.edu      The universe is full of magical *
*Space Telescope Science Institute       things patiently waiting for	  *
*Baltimore, MD.			our wits to grow sharper.	  *
From: ai118@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Rich Zidonis)
Newsgroups: misc.writing
Subject: Re: Request for a new word (or maybe a neologism)
Date: 22 Dec 1992 14:20:29 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: ai118@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Rich Zidonis)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc10.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, roth@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Pete Roth) says:

>What do YOU call e-mail correspondence ?
>
>"Talk" is certainly incorrect.
>"Writing" doesn't seem to fit.
>"e-mailing" doesn't have the right ring.
>"Networking" applies in other areas.
>
>"Flaming" describes a certain kind of correspondence, but I'm looking
>for a word that describes civilized discourse.
>
>So _what_, already ?
>
>(winners will be notified by e-mail. you need not be present to win)
>
>regards, pete
>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>Peter N Roth      roth@oasys.dt.navy.mil
>Do what you can with what you have where you are. - D L Moody.
>

I call email correspondence, uh, email.
-- 
RAZ     ai118@cleveland.freenet.edu
From: eliz@ai.mit.edu (Elizabeth Willey)
Newsgroups: misc.writing
Subject: Re: Request for a new word (or maybe a neologism)
Date: 23 Dec 92 16:33:37 GMT
Organization: MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory

Pete Roth writes:

   What do YOU call e-mail correspondence ?

I call it electronic correspondence, actually.  I compose it, edit it,
and then send or email it to correspondents or friends.

The language as it stands is more than ready to cope with email and
its users.

   "Talk" is certainly incorrect.

Moreover, "talk" is used for a specific kind of electronic real-time
interaction.

   "Writing" doesn't seem to fit.

Indeed?  Why not?  If I write books and short stories at a computer,
why should I not also write letters for electronic mail?

You seem to be getting dangerously close to being lost in the White
Knight's quandary.


Elizabeth Willey
From: marks@iris.mincom.oz.au (Mark Stavar)
Newsgroups: misc.writing
Subject: Auctions-Agents
Date: 4 Jan 93 01:05:56 GMT
Organization: Mincom, Brisbane, Australia
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]

--


Greetings Writers,

I have two questions that I would like to field among the readers of this
group:

1. "Going to Auction ..."

An Australian author, Bryce Courtney, wrote a story (The Power of
One). When he was ready to try and get it published, he quizzed a few
publishers about it.  He received such strong interest in the work
that he decided to take the book _to auction_, and received the
unheard of sum (for a first book) of Aus $1M ( or so the story goes.

The term implies getting publishers to bid against each other in order
the get the highest price for the rights to publish the book.  Apart
from this, can anyone shed light on how one goes to auction?  Is there
an accepted procedure or forum for doing such a thing?  Can anyone go
to auction?

2. Agents

In many other fields of artistic endeavour it is common to have an
agent to negotiate rights, prices, etc. on behalf of the artist,
television and film script writers for example.

Is it a common, acceptable, desirable thing to engage and agent for
the purposes of negotiating on behalf of writer?


Any info ar comments appreciated.


Ciao

marks

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Stavar
Mincom Pty Ltd
Juliette St
Brisbane Q Aust

Email:	marks@iris.mincom.oz.au

Ph: +61 7 364 9999

#include	<std/disclaimer.h>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: misc.writing
From: pegasus@grex.ann-arbor.mi.us (Patricia Snyder-Rayl)
Subject: Contract for articles
Organization: GREX Public Access Unix +1 313 761 3000
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 16:59:38 GMT



Anyone know where I can get a copy of a standard contract for magazine
articles/authors?  I would appreciate any help anyone could give. Thanks!

		Patricia Snyder-Rayl
From: ai118@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Rich Zidonis)
Newsgroups: misc.writing
Subject: Re: Freelance writers??
Date: 30 Dec 1992 13:59:40 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: ai118@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Rich Zidonis)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc4.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, linden@adcalc.fnal.gov () says:

>I am thinking of trying to do some freelance writing.
>Mainly non-fiction stuff.
>I don't have any expeirence in writing except for the basic college
>English classes and the dozen term papers I had to do.
>The nerby community college is offering a class in writing.
>I was thinking of taking it.
>I was hoping to see more action on this net on the subject
>of freelance writing. So far I;ve been disapointed.
>Any comments out there.
>
>


I dabble and have a day job.  I have mailed six non-fiction (Well, they
are op-ed pieces, and so maybe they are fiction) pieces and received
checks (and clips) on three of them.  I guess you could say that I'm a
part time pundit.

Anyway, take the course.  You will or will not learn something and you
will or will not be disappointed; either way, you will know when you
know.  Clear?
-- 
RAZ     ai118@cleveland.freenet.edu
Newsgroups: misc.writing
From: kiri@world.std.com (Jeslan C Silver)
Subject: Re: Request for a new word (or maybe a neologism)
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1992 08:19:35 GMT

roth@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Pete Roth) writes:

>What do YOU call e-mail correspondence ?

My partner, who is a writer, offers "electronic intercourse" (no
kidding, look it up).


Newsgroups: misc.writing
From: thiessen@emr1.emr.ca (Tracy Thiessen)
Subject: Re: Freelance writers??
Organization: Energy, Mines, and Resources, Ottawa
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 14:19:17 GMT

In article <1992Dec30.033128.1@adcalc.fnal.gov> linden@adcalc.fnal.gov writes:
>I am thinking of trying to do some freelance writing.
>Mainly non-fiction stuff.
>I don't have any expeirence in writing except for the basic college
>English classes and the dozen term papers I had to do.
>The nerby community college is offering a class in writing.
>I was thinking of taking it.
>I was hoping to see more action on this net on the subject
>of freelance writing. So far I;ve been disapointed.
>Any comments out there.
>

I think one of the best (and most receptive) forums out
there for a budding freelancer is the humble community
weekly newspaper.  Although they tend to pay garbage,
it is a great way to build up a portfolio and gain
experience in working with editors. 

Tracy 
Newsgroups: misc.writing
From: danr@ais.org (Daniel Romanchik)
Subject: Re: Idea Collecting Software?
Organization: UMCC
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 12:25:19 GMT

In article <1992Dec18.123809.28402@spectrum.xerox.com> sprague.henr801c@xerox.com writes:
>Someone mentioned in the near past a software package called Memory
>Mate.  I'd like to know more about the package.  It isn't easy to find
>and I'd like to know more before I order it.
>
>Or, are there any other other software packages that are made for
>collecting ideas.  I have many tidbits that I'd like to characterize
>by topic or date or something to review a list of relevant ideas. 
>Searching through pages of ideas that aren't organized doesn't seem
>right when I have a 386 sitting at my desk. 
>
   Another similar package is Tornado Notes.  I purchased both, but
now use Tornado.  The nice thing about Tornado Notes is that the notes
can be any size. Memory Mate notes take up  a whole screen.
   Actually, I don't think they sell Tornado Notes any more. The new
version is called Info Select.  They even have a Windows version now.
Info Select is published by Micro Logic Corp., PO Box 70, Hackensack,
NJ 07602, tel 800-342-5930.
   (yet another disclaimer) I have no connection with Micro Logic
except that of a satisfied customer.

Have fun, Dan
Newsgroups: misc.writing
From: aba@hp835.mitek.com (Binion Amerson)
Subject: PUBLISH Magazine Ad of Interest to Professional Communicators
Summary: 40th STC Annual Conference
Keywords: STC, technical communication, desktop and electronic publishing
Organization: OpenConnect Systems, Dallas, TX
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 19:59:18 GMT


  A T T E N T I O N    P R O F E S S I O N A L    C O M M U N I C A T O R S


See Page 89 of the January 1993 issue of PUBLISH Magazine for an advertisement 
about the 40th Society for Technical Communication (STC) Annual Conference, 
Post-Conference Workshops, and Exposition scheduled for June 6-10, 1993, at 
the Loews Anaole Hotel, Dallas, Texas, USA.  

For a copy of the 40th STC Annual Conference Advance Program, Registration 
Material, and Exposition Information, contact the Society for Technical 
Communication, 901 North Stuart Street, Suite 904, Arlington, Virginia 
22203-1854; telephone 703/522-4114; fax 703/522-2075.  Or, send E-Mail to 
aba@oc.com and leave your name, address, and telephone number.

NOTE: STC members will automatically receive the Advance Program and 
Registration Information about the 40th STC Annual Conference.  The Advance 
Program will be mailed in February 1993.

Binion Amerson, aba@oc.com
General Manager, 40th STC Annual Conference

-- 
 Binion Amerson, Senior Technical Writer, OpenConnect Systems, 2711 LBJ Frwy,  
 Suite 800, Dallas, TX 75234; 214/888-0447; 214/484-6100 (fax); aba@oc.com
 General Manager: 40th STC Annual Conference, June 6-10, 1993, Dallas, TX
From: beaver@esl370.uucp (Robert L. Beaver (Systems Admin))
Newsgroups: misc.writing
Subject: Re: Grammar
Date: 21 Dec 92 20:03:03 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Eastman Kodak Co., Research Technology, Rochester NY


	I'm one of those people who would love to be a writer.  I'm 
also one of those people that struggle to achieve a basic understanding 
of grammer.  Because of the latter, I thought I'd take a chance and 
offer my view from the other side of the coin.  I've checked the labels 
on my cloths to make sure they were flame retardant, here goes...

	My eigth grade teacher was more interested in the Buffalo Bills
than in teaching.  Thus my exposure to eigth grade grammer was next to
nothing (Ask me what a past participle is and I give you a blank stare).
I've been trying to educate myself as I learn the writing trade (I haven't
submitted anything because I don't want to appear a complete fool).

	From my experience with published authors and college teachers,
I've been slightly defensive about my lack of understanding.  I am very
willing to learn, although, it sometimes looks like a thorn bush.  These
"respected" individuals (some who were supposed to be teaching it) found
it easy to target me (and others) with scorn and mockery.  Their pompous
attitude brings about the excuses in others ( Yes, I realize that the
indvidauls with the excuses are responsible for their excuses.  I also
realize that the "respected" individuals may have been trying to to 
inspire the people to learn from shame, anger, etc.  Not all individuals
respond to that however). 

	For instance, while taking a literature class at RIT (yes, it
really isn't known for liberal arts, but my degree is in Computer Science),
I asked "I understand where you get that interpretation of the story.  Why
couldn't someone interpret it literally?  Why would that be wrong?"  His
answer (an approximate quote)..."You really have no understanding of 
literature, and it's all beyond your comprehension."  That said, he 
dismissed me and did not readily acknowledge my presense in the class again.  
I recieved a B in the course mostly because I can interpret the way he
wanted me to.  I still don't agree that "his" is the only interpretation.

	Basically, what I'm saying is that I don't think most teachers 
today are equiped to teach.  My eight grade english teacher certainly
was not.  As far as I can remember, very few of my english teachers
were.  I was not a rebellious student either.  I find more and more
things I accepted in high school to be false.  I now advise my nieces
and nephews to question their teachers, to make them prove it.

Bob


/*  Sig?  What Sig? */
Newsgroups: misc.writing
From: sasafw@dobo.unx.sas.com (Fred Welden)
Subject: Re: Grammar
Originator: sasafw@dobo.unx.sas.com
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 16:24:36 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Dobonia


In article <1992Dec23.145239.2468@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU>, ehp@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU ("Didi Pancake") writes:
|In article <Bzo3uw.FGo@nocusuhs.nnmc.navy.mil> yoshi@nocusuhs.nnmc.navy.mil (D M Yoshikami) writes:
|>Something that I forgot to mention.  One other very good way to learn
|>grammar is to take a foreign language such as German or Spanish.  If
|>you feel like going for the gusto, take Latin or Greek.
|
|I have ALWAYS maintained that the most valuable portion of my formal
|education was the two years of (required) Latin in high school. That gave
|me the background to understand (or at least take a stab at) vast numbers
|of words in a variety of languages and particularly in the scientific
|disciplines (useful since I'm a science librarian much of the time).
|
|Anyone else feel this way about Latin or Greek? or about some other
|portion of their formal educaiton? I'd be interested to hear other
|opinions.

I've posted this before, in a previous incarnation of this grammar
thread, but I'll repeat it.

What taught me English grammar was not the study of English grammar.  It
was the study of Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, and to a lesser degree Spanish
and Italian.

The study of foreign languages also taught me the danger of expressing
problems in a language and trying to solve them there--if you have only
one language at your disposal, you are limiting the possible solutions.
Therefore I would also highly recommend the study of symbolic logic and
game and decision theory, as yet more languages in which a problem can
be expressed, to anyone who wants to be able to think clearly about
almost anything.

Thinking clearly (just to establish relevance to this group) is a big
step along the way to writing well.

-- 
--Fred, or another blind 8th-century BC  |  sasafw@dobo.unx.sas.com
        Hellenic poet of the same name.  |