- - - - - - - -
Current
Issue
Editor's Desk
Write for Pif
- - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
Praise? Gripes? Comments? Suggestions?
Write to us at talkback@pifmagazine.com
Subject: Poetry
by Anne McCarty
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1999
From: Susan Yount
Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven,
batter my heart, three-personed God; for you,
these two lines are not original and you are certianly no John Dunn... And, the title is not orignal either....was any of this poem actually written by the author? or is it some kind of post-modern-stolen-trash?
Dear Susan Yount-
This amazing poem, pieced together by Anne McCarty, appeared in our August, all poetry, issue. For that issue we invited poets to submit poems made entirely of stolen lines. I find Ms. McCarty's poem amazing because the lines are used in such a way that they do border on sounding original, or at least, as if they were all written by the same poet. This suggests that, perhaps, all poems are written by one poet, by one collective consciousness. Cool idea. Not trash. But not very post-modern either.
For our August issue we also invited poets to submit poems that were self-consciously self-referential about poetry and this poem admirably fulfilled that requirement as well. There is a kind of tongue-in-cheek humor in the idea of using lines from other poets to write about poetry-writing. But, Ms. McCarty's poem also has it serious side. I mean, isn't it true that all poets waltz with those who have gone before them? That the poets we study are, in essence, our dance partners? Furthermore, I believe the challenge to make 'original' lines that don't repeat hackneyed and worn out sentiments involves a capacity to recognize those lines written by the greats which will endure some wear and tear. This poem treats us to such lines.
I'm glad you asked about this. Thank you for your time and attention to our poetry section.
Anne Doolittle
Poetry Editor
Subject: Poetry
by G. Purkis
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 09:40:05 -0500
From: Miriam Kroon
I thought this was interesting, but the point of view seemed to change. Only Odysseus could/should ask the final question-line.
Subject: Waiting
for Joey
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1999
From: cathi cossa
I just wanted to comment on the story printed entitled Waiting for Joey by Michael Jasper. He is an excellent author and a wonderful strory teller. I look forward to seeing more of his work in print.
Sincerely,
Cathi in Chicago.
Subject: Poetry
by Julie Ritter
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999
From: Gene Wiginton
I have been coming here for months and have read some fine poetry, but, unless somewhere I missed it, I am noticing a major bias. I haven't seen one poem with much rhyme or rhytm to it.
This seems to be a common bias these days. I don't know whether it is an editorial bias or so many have been brainwashed into thinking you can't have a good, meaninful poem is you use rhyme or meter...
ah well, such is the world. Great site.
Respectfully,
Gene Wiginton
Subject: Macro-Fiction
by Angela Woodward
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999
From: Carolyn Mills
Fantastic! I really loved this story. Thanks for the publication.
Subject: Macro-Fiction
by Angela Woodward
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999
From: chris orlet
Great, great. Just great.
Subject: Poetry
by George Prochnik
Date: Fri, 05 Nov 1999
From: Lisa Bell
"our jigsaw lips unpuzzling"
awesome!
Subject: Lux
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999
From: HoneyDive
I just read Julie Ritter's eloquent, sensual, sexy poem. Not only was I moved and aroused, I had to read it more than once. Like a book you don't want to end, I wanted to relive the thick off-balance world that her images and syntax created. Thank you for your great taste in poetry. Keep challenging us.
Subject: Macro-Fiction
by Michael Jasper
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1999
From: ShellJimMeyer
Wonderful short story. This Iowa native has got it going on!!!!!!
We hope to be reading a WHOLE lot more of his writings in the very near future.
Wonderful job!!!!! Keep writing!!!!!!
Subject: Nice
article on E-publishing
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1999
From: Steve Lazarowitz
Hi there, I'm an epublished author and I quite liked your article entitled Out of Print Authors and agreed with most of it. However, there is a single point that I felt should have been made.
In your article, you talk about the advantages of a book "never going out of print". This is, as you've mentioned a perceived boone to some e-authors, but it is, in reality, a very dangerous situation for them. If a print book goes out of print, eventually the rights revert back to the author. The author can sell the book again. If, on the other hand, the e-contract does not specifically state that the contract has a time limit and if they e-publisher does not adequately promote the book, then the e-author might very well be stuck NEVER selling enough of a title to make a difference.
In print, the contract would lapse, usually after two years and the author could try to publish it again, with a different company, perhaps one that would invest in advertising and promotion.
My name is Steve Lazarowitz and I'm the chairman of Eguild. Eguild is a brand new organization of Electronic Writers and Artists, dedicated to protecting authors rights.
By mentioning only one side of this issue, without pointing out the contract flaw that could very well seriously hamstring an e-author, you have perpetuated a partial truth...
Sincerely,
Steve Lazarowitz
Eguild Chairman
http://www.eguild.org
Subject: Out
Of Print Writers by M.J. Rose
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1999
From: Valerie Hardin
I respect M.J. Rose she has opened people’s eyes to ebooks.
Most people wouldn't know what an ebook is without her.
I am also published ebook writer. I write many different genres. I don't think I have a negative attitude negative towards print houses. I view ebooks as another way to get published.
I like ebooks because sending them to e-publishers is better for the environment. It usually faster to get a reply with ebooks than print publishers. The kindness The royalties are high and I feel kindness from e-publishers.
I like print books for other reasons.
I have an ebook published by hardshell.com I also have ebooks published deadendstreet.com, agoodbook.com and others.
Subject:
Macro-Fiction by Angela Woodward
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1999
From: Michael John Jasper
This was a fascinating short piece, packing a century-long-movie into just a few hundred words. It reminded me of what's happening here in America, people too caught up in the tv and movies to really live life.
I loved the moviegoers' attempts to analyze the spider for symbolic meaning. And when they realized it had no other meaning than simple existence, they cried. Nice work!
Reminded me of Marquez, in the best possible ways.
Mike Jasper
Subject: Poetry
by Meredith Patterson
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 1999
From: RuziEdLou
What gets published these days is pathetic.
This is poor prose, cut up for the pretense of poetry.