Q about literary world pre-Internet

[Christi Anne]

I was wondering if someone could give me an idea of what it was like in the literary/publishing world before the Internet? I guess I am showing my age (22) but I can't imagine how people communicated about scams and such without the Internet. Was Writer's Market around then? Everyone subscribe to Writer's Digest? What sources did you use to research agents? I would imagine the process was even LONGER without email queries. Did people use fax machines instead?

[ritinrider]

Christi Anne, I can answer some of your questions, but I'm sure a more reliable source will be along soon. First, for me the best thing about the computer and the internet is how much easier it is to do research and if I ever get around to needing someone to interview I'll be able to find them on the 'net. Now for some of your questions:

I can't imagine how people communicated about scams and such without the Internet. First, there probably weren't as many scams, because it was harder to target and advertise to the authors. Also, it was more expensive. Not to say there weren't scams, but I think most writers knew to follow the philosophy, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is". And of course, there was networking, writers talk, so writer's groups, and conferences were good sources for scams.

Was Writer's Market around then? I'm not sure how long the WM has been available, but yeah, it's been around for a while.


What sources did you use to research agents? Since I've never looked for an agent this isn't really my area. I do know there is a book that lists agents. Writer's groups and conferences were and are great sources for finding and veting agents.


I would imagine the process was even LONGER without email queries. Did people use fax machines instead? Oh yeah. But remember, some publications still require snail mail and some agents need you to mail them the mss. after all they don't want to pay the cost of printing it out and many agents and editors actually read their submissions at home, or while commuting, so reading on the computer isn't viable for them. This I learned from an editor at a writer's conference.

Hope this helps.
Nita

[WriteRead]

You asked:

Did people use fax machines instead?

Fax machines are a rather recent addition to the communication arsenal, I'd say, w a margin of mistake, with about a 15 yrs lifespan by now, or so. Maybe someone knows a more exact number.

Before that, the telex (from the '30's) or teleprinters (since the very first computers) were the means of communicating and sending documents far and wide - a message was printed and sent electronically to an output machine, where the mgs was decoded and printed again, on a sheet of paper, of course.

But a ms was really sent by mail before that, and even after that, b/c of the sheer volume of material involved.

Regarding sending by fax a full ms, it will kill you and the fax, I think, to send its whole length thru it.

Dan

[Jamesaritchie]

I was wondering if someone could give me an idea of what it was like in the literary/publishing world before the Internet? I guess I am showing my age (22) but I can't imagine how people communicated about scams and such without the Internet. Was Writer's Market around then? Everyone subscribe to Writer's Digest? What sources did you use to research agents? I would imagine the process was even LONGER without email queries. Did people use fax machines instead?

My, you are young! Primarily communication about scams was done through the various writing magazines. But then and now, scams are a matter of money. If anyone, editor or agent, asks teh writer for money, it's a scam. If a publisher offers less than the standard rate, it's a scam.

Yes, Writer's Digest was around. So was The Writer. Then, as now, teh wise writer subscribes to both.

Research on agents was alos done through teh writing magazines, through books about agents, and through word of mouth. Then, as now, it worked.

Very few used the fax. E-mail queries are highly overrated, even today. Snail mail is still most often the best route to take. Time isn't everything, and faster often means worse, not better. And, in fact, snail mail queries and letters are often a good deal faster than e-mail letters and queries.

Research on everything else was usually done at the library, and then, as now, the information you got was great. The internet is a wonderful thing, but researchers who only use the internet are at a severe disadvantage. The library should still be a writer's second home.

And instead of e-mails, people actually wrote snail mail letters to each other. This, too, is still a good idea.

[Tish Davidson]

In the snail mail only era, you could send a self-addressed stamped envelope to AAR and they would send you a list of their member agents.