Or srsly?

[jolantru]

Scalzi makes a comment.

Oh waitaminute, so what you are saying, Mr Scalzi, is that people living in Ohio are missing out on big writing breaks?

ahem

How about people living in South-east Asia? There are many writers living in - say - Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. And they are hardly in the epicenter of Writing

Comments

[wyld_dandelyon]

The quote at the top of the page in this link, which is what I think you are reacting to here wasn't Mr. Scalzi's words. It's a quote that he is reacting to, with more than a little sarcasm.

With the internet, you have, at least potentially, a worldwide market. Hang in there!

[jolantru]

I read his sarcasm as bitterness. But then again, that's the Internet for you.

[wyld_dandelyon]

Sarcasm isn't one of the easiest things to interpret, especially with only words to go by. Knowing things like how successful Neil Gaiman is also helped me to interpret what he was saying

[dulcinbradbury]

Since he really doesn't have any reason to be bitter, considering his success, I think it's just sarcasm.

[helen99]

I read the whole thing, and I think I see what he's trying to say. He entirely missed the opportunity to communicate his thoughts due to the tone he took, though. I think he's saying that even in difficult-to-get-published areas, there are people living there who become recognized. He used Ohio as an example because he lives there - I don't think he was trying to ignore the fact that other places are even worse about publishing sf/f. He's telling people, no matter where they live, to put all feelings of hopelessness aside and reach for it no matter what. Discouraging, yes, but not a reason to give up.

By taking such a scathing tone, however, I think he failed the communication roll...

[jolantru]

Ditto there. The scathing tone has turned me off. I am not sure about others though.

[wyld_dandelyon]

I think the scathing tone was a deliberate stylistic choice. There are people who enjoy that kind of "biting humor". A lot.

[ladyqkat]

Understand waking up cranky.

I agree with wyld_dandelyon that you missed Mr. Scalzi's sarcasm. He lives, and works, in Ohio. He was pointing out that because he is in one of the 'fly over' states all of his awards and recognitions (two Nebulas, consultant on "Stargate: Universe", and others) are merely figments of his deranged imagination.

Arthur C. Clarke lived in Sri Lanka until his death last year and he was hailed as one of the greats of sf/f.

I do agree that it is harder for you to 'break into' the market, especially when your local market is small. I also know that you are an excellent writer who is not being recognized by others in your field of interest.

But I also know that there are many, many good writers all over the world who have the same difficulties and I think that is what Mr. Scalzi was pointing out. One does not need to live in one of the 'centers' of publishing to be published. One merely has to get the attention of someone in that business. And when you are hip deep in cubic zirconiums it is very difficult to spot the

[jolantru]

As I have replied to the others, I read his tone as bitter and scathing. It's the Internet for you and his words are merely words on the screen. However, I picked up his tone and it probably wasn't what he originally intended.

That being said, I appreciate your words there.

[ladyqkat]

I've been reading him for some time now. Mind you, I haven't read any of his stories. I suspect that most of his works are harsher than what I like to read.

But I do respect him as a writer, even when he doesn't think before he writes. But, if you were to present your annoyance to him as a genuine concern for non-Americans, he might do a follow-up piece.

He is reasonable and he will try to present a different view as long as he is approached calmly and with reasoned arguments.

Point out to him that with the lack of venues to publish in you geographic area, you have little chance of finding a venue in some of the more viable markets unless someone were to, say, think about putting together an anthology of non-American writers , and then advertising heavily in areas where these fledgling writers might see it

[jolantru]

I believe there is already the Philippines Science Fiction Sampler.

As for my area, I have to think about it first. But I know folks as well. So, I will see what I can do.

[tariq_kamal]

Yeah, I was kind of expecting this from you. Like, when I was reading this article, I actually think: "Wow, okay, so I know who's going to get pissed off with this..."

Seriously, though; Scalzi may actually have a point, but he's done this sort of thing before -- said something quick and easily-misinterpreted, and then later changed his tone. I suspect that this was one of those moments.

Mind you, the one complaining about living on the flyover state? Ha ha ha ha ha, your suffering is like candy for me, whiner.

[jolantru]

*LOL* *evil grin*

[jolantru]

And a second thing...

Doesn't he like think through first, before writing? *wry smile*

[ladyqkat]

Nah. He sometimes has a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease.

[marchskies]

(hugs)

I'm proud to be a reader of your work, and if it makes you feel a little bit better, I hail from a somewhat small town in the US.

Stay strong.

[jolantru]

*hugs back*

Thank you. :)