Mastering the Web: By Catherine Tudor
 A Salute to the Pioneers of E-Publishing
Women Who are Making History Today

Ever heard of the days when female authors sometimes disguised their sex in order to see their work in print? It's a different world now. Here at the start of a new Millennium, women are not only discovering new ways to be seen and heard on the Web, they're starting their own electronic publishing companies. If you feel as confused and unsettled about e-publishing as I do, worry no more. At the Retreat, we are surrounded by veterans in the field who wish to ease our minds. Charlotte Boyett-Compo joined our writer's group from its inception in 1998. We have watched her novels and stories increase in number and popularity all over the Web where she has received much acclaim for her genre fiction. Most recently her success was mentioned in Wired, in the article "Serial E-Authors Make a Killing," written by author, MJ Rose. Columnist, Lisa Mahon, has been reviewing electronic books for sites that include SharpWriter, and Starlight Writer Publications. Some of our visitors who are e-publishers, editors, and Webmasters have also agreed to answer my questions. To me, the choices seem overwhelming. There are e-queries, e-zines, e-publishers, e-books, e-book readers, serial e-novels, and now independent e-films are e-volving. The technology is so new, we don't even know for sure how to spell all these words. Is it e-books, eBooks, or ebooks? What's a writer (and copy editor) to do? Oddly, being the Internet addict that I am, I've been reluctant to explore any possibilities available to me in electronic publications (other than my own Web site). My reasons are varied and personal: I don't feel ready to expose my fiction to the Web. I cling to my fantasy of one day working with an established book publishing company and/or a gifted agent. I worry some of the new e-publishing companies might burn me, even if they were to accept a manuscript. I doubt my kind of writing, which is more mainstream and/or literary than genre, would appeal to most readers of e-books. Lastly, I love the smell of fresh ink, the look of a new or used book on my library shelf--although I have to confess I do enjoy listening to audiobooks, so I am always willing to try something new. Many of you may know by now, Stephen King's Riding the Bullet, will be released exclusively as an e-book, published by Simon and Schuster today, March 14, 2000. That makes it official, I guess. E-publishing is probably here to stay. No matter what your concerns may be, the technology is coming to the publishing industry's attention almost as quick as the Internet did to the personal computer. E-publishing is a reality, and if we want to stay informed about all our options as writers, we'd better learn all we can. There are many exciting things about electronic publishing. Finally books can be printed on demand, which means no more frustration with "out of print" works for many authors. Genres are being redefined since there's not as much cost and therefore risk involved publishing experimental novels. Writers can be more creative and not conform to someone else's mold. But I can also see it as yet another way some unscrupulous companies may try to take advantage of novices desperate for publication. Another concern I have, is that I also suffer from stressed eyes, working on a computer, and editing a great deal. Reading for long periods on a computer screen becomes painful, and at times impossible. I once heard that when you stare at a computer screen too long, your eyes actually forget to blink. (I don't know if that's true, but I now keep a bottle of artificial tears by my side.) I don't want to subject my eyes to reading novels at my PC. Finding time to read is difficult enough without ruining my vision. So, like me, if you are intrigued but still uncertain about the world of e-publishing and all that it entails, read on, because I'll be talking to some of the writers, editors, and e-publishers who have been doing it for a while, as well as to some of those who are just beginning.. Remember these articles and interviews are not intended to be endorsements of any e-publishers, or writing trend; you will need to decide what is right for you and for your career. Interviews and Articles: [Charlotte Boyett-Compo]  [Jewel Dartt]  [Laurie Alice Eakes]  [Diana Kirk]  [Nancy Monaghan]  [M. J. Rose]  [Emily A. Vander Veer]  [Wordbeams]  [Amber Quill Press]   First published by "One Woman's Writing Retreat" (c) Catherine Tudor 2002-3