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3.21.07 : WE ARE LIVE

3.21.07 : WE ARE LIVE

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By Leopold McGinnis, on 20-03-2007 22:39

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Published in : OW! Site Content, News

Alright fellow Outsider Writers...we're leaving.

We have long ago established that the media, mainstream presses and academic lit-farms aren’t interested in what we’re doing. It’s no secret that we don’t think they’re doing a very good job either. And yet, we’ve always felt we’ve had to beat our heads against their wall. For too long we have been following someone else’s rulebook…a rulebook to a game nobody is interested in! Is it not time writers wrote their own rulebook?

Here is the Outsider Writer equation: Author + Readers = Literature. It’s a direct path. And there are no rules to get there. There is no standard by which we can judge ourselves or our work but by our own! We’re packing our bags, declaring the media and mainstream presses dead and leaving this dusty town that never loved us anyway.

The outsider writer, by nature, is a solitary, independent creature. We're kinda pathetic, actually. Divided, we’re just mopey teenagers with black fingernails and trenchcoats and long hair. Together we’re a frigging freak-on rave party, man! We know that the most exciting literary talent lies with independent authors, but we are uncoordinated, unable to individually achieve critical mass to get our work out there.

So we’re starting a road trip and we’re cramming everyone possible into the car. Where are we going? We’re not quite sure, but we know how we’re going to get there. We are an advocacy group. A think tank. A union. An information clearing house and a bunch of other stuffy words we probably won’t ever use again. But we’re open to ideas and doing whatever it takes to reach and make new audiences. We’re outsider writers, for frig's sakes, isn’t it about time we promoted our writing in an ‘outside’ way too? And did I mention our car shoots flames, has several steering wheels, a cannon (NOT a canon) and several slushy machines? Don’t touch the hot dogs though, they’ve been rolling on the meat sunbed for weeks…

We are a central location for outsider writers to unite, combine forces, share information, strategize and coordinate projects, connect and talk about rad stuff like the Ultimate Warrior, melty dwarfs or rich people who sniff bicycle seats. We will join forces where we are strong, eliminate duplication of effort where we are weak and do what we can to put the power and authority over literature back into the hands of the only legitimate owners: the authors and the readers. And we will have fun doing it.

OW!r Plan:

You tell us! We’re currently a very young organization. We’ve got a lot of ideas, but ultimately failure or success depends on you and all other outsider writers – your help and participation are crucial. This ain’t a free ride – it’s an adventure and contributing is part of the fare.

But as a start, we’ve put together a great number of resources on this site:

Call for Submissions: We regularly gather and post Calls for Submissions from small and outsider friendly presses from across the globe, and post them here.

Lit Circus: Our lit journal – great outsider writer writing, updated regularly!

News: News and updates by the Guild of Outsider Writers for outsider writers! If you have a news item or link you think we should know about, contact us!

Reviews: Great book reviews for underground books, even videos-- if it is alternative we will review it.

The Naked Opinion: Unedited rants on various topics. Fresh and raw and just like your mother told you to stay away from.

And it’s all in one place! We plan on building a network, recruiting members and starting a number of outsider writer friendly projects in the near future, so be sure to check back and keep in contact. But for now explore, enjoy and use the site. And if you have any feedback , let us know!

Last update : 21-03-2007 17:11

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Diary of a Heretic

By: Kathleen Maher (Guest) on 21-03-2007 04:30

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Diary of a Heretic

By: Kathleen Maher (Guest IP 66.108.32.36) on 21-03-2007 04:30

Your plans sounds great: out to change the world! My question is whether I would count. I have sometimes tried to change the world but more often merely dreamed in words that it were otherwise. For example, I've wondered why a hard-working fiction writer is ridiculed but an angry electric guitar, who only knows two chords but really looks the part and oozes attitude, can quickly gather a solid cult following?
Or, are you talking about political writing?
Does fiction without an overt agenda, no Big Brother even in the subtext, and rarely, if ever, confronts global issues like abortion or war in Iraq, count as "outsider'? My writing doesn't fit the mold. I write stories, novels, and novellas that offer no resounding moral. They do not directly champion any downtrodden group.
I guess I could, as I usually do,submit something I like, and if you reject me fast enough, I'll figure "you're sorry but you don't believe you can use this piece for now." Does it work like that, or are you really different?

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By: marydell (Guest) on 21-03-2007 06:08

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By: marydell (Guest IP 68.196.80.225) on 21-03-2007 06:08

Best of luck to you! I'm looking forward to seeing what you're able to do to get "other" voices heard.

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By: Pat KIng (Guest) on 21-03-2007 06:58

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By: Pat KIng (Guest IP 69.243.119.125) on 21-03-2007 06:58

Kathleen,

To answer your question, yes!! Please send your stuff. We're interested in all sorts of writing. Outsider writing is kinda a wide net. Outside the mainstream. Outside the literary industrial complex. Academia. I'm sure your stuff will fit right in!

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By: Leopold McGinnis (Guest) on 21-03-2007 09:25

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By: Leopold McGinnis (Guest IP 142.229.91.103) on 21-03-2007 09:25

Kathleen,

Ditto what Pat said and I'd like to add that Outsider Writers is more than just a lit journal, but a group to unite the abilities and talents of all those who 'do not fit' so they can get their work out there. We need to think beyond just getting published. But of course, we do that too and welcome submissions - it's a great way for us to get to know each other.

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By: Pat "Stuffy Muffin" King (Guest) on 21-03-2007 12:03

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By: Pat "Stuffy Muffin" King (Guest IP 69.243.119.125) on 21-03-2007 12:03

True that :grin

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By: Fran (Guest) on 22-03-2007 10:28

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By: Fran (Guest IP 76.6.4.100) on 22-03-2007 10:28

"rich people who sniff bicycle seats"

--lol!

You've put together such a cool site and organization--lots of good writing and ideas here. May this place take off like the Space Shuttle. Good luck!

Fran

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By: Marissa Ranello (Guest) on 22-03-2007 11:15

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By: Marissa Ranello (Guest IP 142.165.230.149) on 22-03-2007 11:15

Thanks Fran!

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