Comments on: Looking for books by Clarion West instructors – 2009

By: jordan

jordan — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:01:22 +0000

Yeah, I’m familiar with that one. It’s across from Chapters, and they have a pretty nifty selection. Still it’s always better to be a customer at a place that might eventually host a book signing, and White Dwarf seems more like that kind of place

Thanks for the suggestions, though!

By: silviamg

silviamg — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:58:40 +0000

You can also try the used book store that’s almost on Granville and Broadway. Actually, it’s on Broadway between Granville and Fir. They sell used comic books, movies and lots of sci-fi and fantasy. There’s also a very big used bookstore downtown, it’s based on these Japanese used stores … the name escapes me. Find Book maybe?

By: jordan

jordan — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:14:24 +0000

I think I'll take a look at AbeBooks, then Chapters. Actually, I just re-discovered an independent sci-fi/fantasy bookstore from my youth, White Dwarf Books, so I'll probably try and get them from there first. Vive Les Independents!

By: Silviamg

Silviamg — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:45:48 +0000

I order my stuff through Chapters online and I order seriously weird stuff (“The Aristocracy in Mexico from 1910 to the end of the 20th century” is my Christmas present to myself). I’ve found it’s cheaper than Amazon, a lot of times, because of the postage. There’s also Abebooks which Oz already mentioned.

By: Oz

Oz — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:00:48 +0000

I’m flattered to be added to your blogroll! I picked yours up from that discussion thread about everyone’s blogs. Doubled my reading pleasure in one day, I think!

By: jordan

jordan — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:48:47 +0000

I really do feel like I got a lucky story. I look at my writing, even that story, and feel like there’s so much I could do better.

For a completely objective comparison, look at my co-winners, Matthew Rotundo and Donald Mead, both of whom already had pro-sales when they won.

When I’ve won a Hugo/Nebula, or at LEAST get a few more pro-sales, I’ll acknowledge that I’m decent. Until then, I could use all the help I can get.

Oh, PS, I added you to the site’s blogroll. Your comments have been awesome!

By: Oz

Oz — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:42:27 +0000

Is it one or two you submit? Because if it’s two, I’d do one that’s polished and one that has something you’re not happy with, something you’d want critiqued. But if Hartwell is going to read only one, you want your WOTF in your app package and then discuss how you feel you just got “lucky” in your essay if West doesn’t take two stories in the package.

Do you really feel you just got “lucky?”

Plenty of time yet, I think.
Oz

By: jordan

jordan — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:25:34 +0000

Wow. Now I’m a little alarmed. I might be disqualified because I won WotF?

>I< sure feel like I need help to get to the next step in story writing. I’m not exactly a master, I just wrote a story that happened to appeal to the WotF judges.

I was going to use my WotF winning story as a writing sample, but maybe now I’ll use something a little less polished.

By: Oz

Oz — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:15:50 +0000

There’s more similarity between Clarion and Clarion West than there is with WOTF. They’re both six weeks. They both have writers in residence for a week. They both focus on short stories. They’re about the same size. But even when I went, there was a slight difference in the philosophy. That’s why I suggest talking to a West Alum about the specifics.

Not to mention that I went so long ago. :::cough, cough::: I’m a writer that was more hindered by it than helped, though I can name four of my six writers in residence as personal friends, not just mentors.

If West is like Clarion, they only admit you if you’re at a point where you can be helped a lot by the program. If you’re too advanced, they won’t admit you.

abebooks.com, not just Amazon. It has great search features. You can narrow the results by your geographic area.

By: jordan

jordan — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:37:08 +0000

Sorry! I thought this was Nicholas Ozment, who frequently uses the same moniker! I should have used the sig on the comment, and I will, next time

Thanks for the thoughts on Clarion. I’d thought Clarion = Clarion West except for location. Interesting to hear that there’s a difference other than the instructors.

Looks like I’ll be picking up some collections on Amazon. Reading their shorts is a great suggestion.