[stylist] Topic for discussion

[Julie J.]

I think there are a lot of different facets to this discussion.  My first 
thought was what, exactly, does getting a MFA mean to you?If it's an 
education, improving your writing, being recognized for your effort and 
accomplishment, then I don't see how self publishing diminishes that.  If 
the only reason to get a MFA is to publish a book, then we have a different 
discussion altogether.

To me it looks like the MFA program and the publishers have a bias against 
self publishing.  That makes sense.  They don't make any money.  It also 
challenges the establishment...like homeschooling.  People like to think 
they are the keepers of knowledge and skill and others must submit to the 
rules in order to access that knowledge.  When someone steps outside those 
boundaries and does it alone, well it doesn't sit well with some people.

This is actually what a huge part of my book is about.  Owner training a 
guide dog is in a sense the same as self publishing.  You are saying to the 
establishment, no thanks, I got this.  In the world of books and writing, it 
made no difference because no one cared in that arena.  I don't have 
anything vested in the writing world.  However when it came to the guide dog 
part, yes, there was a ton of resistance.

It's interesting that when we chose to homeschool the responses were 
identical.  they fall into two categories, is that legal and how are you 
going to be able to do that.  The worst critics, no matter the 
establishment-publishing, guide dog training or homeschooling-were those who 
had bought into the way things have always been done.  Their entire self 
identity was wrapped up in being a teacher, guide dog trainer, etc.  Talk to 
some random person on the street and they don't care.  Joe Public just wants 
to read a good book, and not be bothered with unruly children or dogs.

Back to the original question...is self publishing throwing away your MFA? 
and my answer...

only if you think it is.  Because perception is reality.

Julie
New lowered price on my book:
Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
-----Original Message----- 
From: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via stylist
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2016 10:02 PM
To: 'Writers' Division Mailing List'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: [stylist] Topic for discussion

I'm curious to see what others on the list think of this. I thought it might
make for a good writers discussion.

I'm getting my MFA in creative writing. I've been told by the program,
editors and publishers that if we self-publish, we are throwing our MFA in
the garbage. I recently sat in on a lecture with a publisher from Red Hen
Press who once again backed this comment up. He advised against us
self-publishing because it would be a waste of our MFAs.

Discuss, please.

Bridgit


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