Get Published, Get 'Ripped Off'

[Len6789]

This letter goes under the category of 'rant article' from
a many-times-published writer 'blowing off steam', and
venting his anger. This author wishes to issue a 'caveat'
to ALL writers: 'Beware of the Internet'.

======================
LEONARD J. BOURRET
40-B Pascal Lane
Manchester, CT 06040-4626
Phone: (860) 643-1523
e-Mail: Len6789@juno.com
======================

December 27, 2004

To: books@windpub.com

Wind Publications
600 Overbrook Drive
Nicholasville, KY 40356

Dear Wind Publisher:

One of the legitimate complaints I have, about editors and publishers, is that many
(if not most) are quite selective. Invariably, however, such editors and publishers
are not honest or open enough to key a poet and writer (like myself) into being
specific about what they are looking for. Additionally,many (if not most) editors
and publishers are prejudice, and discrimate against accepting kinds of writings (as
well as types of writers). Christian editors and publishers will not accept gay themes
(probably because such themes are an affront to their concept of morality), and still
other editors and publishers consider such works to be too controversial (probably
because such themes would be offensive to their readers).

Last but certainly not least, poetry contests do not guarantee that all entries will win,
nor do they guarantee that a winner will receive national recognition. A poet and writer
gets little exposure in a minor publication, or the small press. As a poet and writer, I
have been published in hundreds of publications, on the internet, and my works have
been enjoyed by thousands of readers. The problem is that, as a poet and writer, I
remain anonymous. What good is it to be published, or to win poetry contests (I have
won a number of them), when readers do not become familiar with a writer's name
(familiar enough to buy what the writer writes)? An actor does not become an actor,
to remain a bit player or an extra. I greatly enjoy writing, but I do not like to get
exploited by editors and publishers who publish a writer's work, but do not pay the
writer one penny (at the same time, these editors and publishers are getting money
from selling subscriptions to their journal, magazine, or periodical). Additionally, even
when a writer's work is copyrighted, the internet offers no guarantee that a writer's
material will not be infringed upon (my works have appeared, on numerous occasions,
with no author's credit or copyright information). Just because an author does not
have a literary agent (or because he or she cannot afford one), does not give any
editor, publisher, or reader the right to exploit a writer, or to infringe on a writer's
copyright.

With all this said and done, and now that I have finished preaching my sermon, does
Wind accept 'gay themes'? I also write 'non-gay' material. Please advise, and thank
you.


Awaiting Your Reply,



Len Bourret
Poet and Writer

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[paigepeach]

Tisk, tisk, tisk. Dearest Lenny, as a grown man you should know so much more than you do. Are so native? You, my friend, are complaining that a Christian publishing company will not accept your pro-homosexuality material. Christian, and homosexuality, what an oxymoron. Did something short circuit in your brain, or what. Lets make some comparisons here friend. Would a homosexual publishing company publish pro-heterosexual material? No. Would a jewish publishing company publish pro-christ material? No. Would an Ireasli newspaper publish pro-palenstien material? No. So where in the hell do you think you have the nerve to suggest that a Christian Company should publish your homosexuality bullshit? Now, I'm going be honest with friend. I'm Catholic personally, and I am opposed to the "same-sex marriages." Now they can have their unions, and all those gimmicks, but I would perfer if they would stay out of Christianity, and heterosexuality. But anyways, as a Catholic my God, the God, is the Lord. To any Christian, or any Catholic, the center of everything is God. Homosexuality, that is aganist God. When God is the most important thing our lives, why would go aganist him? Why would disobey the person that created us for some writer? Is this connecting you, or is your head still up your ass, because I just don't see why you couldn't understand this. :confused: Now tell me, how does it feel to be outwitted by a 16-year old? The pain must be surging through your heart, don't be ashamed I am open to praises, comments, thoughts, feelings, whatever you wish.

[Lubesh]

If you had ignored your ego and read that again properly, you would have found the man was, like you expressing an opinion, on the workings of different publishing groups whatever their beliefs or views. I think you have missed the point completely. His point wasn't as simple as 'why don't, for exampe, pornographic publishing compnies publish childrens books of verse. Also he isn't as you suggest trying to force the notion of homosexuality upon them either. He added at the end of the letter that he does in fact write alternate material so where do you get the idea that he is shoving pro homosexuality in our faces. Some "Christian" companies who publish mainstream work do often 'go out on a limb' I suppose you would term it, being a tad hysterical about a persons sexual preference, publish non stereo-typical work regardlless as I say of the content, subject matter or authors sexaulity.

On the subject of 'heads up arses' Have we not just been preached pro christian material by you and read your demands, what makes you so different from the author you are very naively attacking? The handicap of religeon is it makes those narrow minded and brainwashed amongst us even more dangerous.

Lastly, I am an athiest but unlike you I respect whatever it is you think is out there or whatever you call your particular God, because believe it or not other people think their God is the only God etc etc etc. But you can fight amongst yourselves as you so vehemently and deftly do causing mass distruction. I will stop there because unlike you I respect that it is your right and your private preference as with this author and his views and his private preferences. Apart rom your age, which is all I can put it down too, I can't for the life of me think why you launched such an ignorantly based attack on a fellow human being a 'good christian' I am longing to know also how he feels about being 'outwitted' by a child, but if you ever find out, do tell I think you will have a long wait! You are a very arrogant, naive, narrow minded, bigoted person in my opinion, and if you had done a little more reading you will have found that the site doesn't allow the abusive language and total disregard or respect you showed in your comment and to top it all off you are a poor example of christianity, which is deemed all forgiving, 'let he who cast the first stone be without sin' etc. I have a great respect for my fellow man whatever their creed, colour or sexuality or the number of heads they have. I suspect that came with age, or with a good upbringing. You on the other hand have let your 'side' down rather badly. Hopefully you will will grow more tolerant and less opinionated as you mature.

[foxblade]

Not to be rude, but if your passion of writing is so great, then why do go on and rant about money and fame? It's not about that unless you intend it to be and from what I have read, you seem to be turning your love of writing into a disasterous greed. Write what you love and love what you write. One day it will happen, you will be know beyond locally, but rushing things only makes tensions greater. If someone finds your work to be immoral or just plain boring, no one will want to read it. Many people have many tastes and you just may be one in a billion.