First and foremost, Carrie Harris is the winner of my "help this schlub write a query" contest. If Ms. Harris will ninja her address to aaron_polson (at) hotmail.com with choice of book (The Black Garden or Monstrous) I will be happy to ship off her book post haste. I sent one query off with edits recommended by my dear readers and received a full request. Fingers crossed, but not too tightly, 'cause I know it's going to take more than one full request to land an agent. My naiveté is spent on the publishing process. I'm in this for the long haul.
The RantTM:
At the risk of angering all those wikis hiding in their parent's basements, I must add to the list of why Wikipedia sucks.
We all know the articles are either too brief or ramble on. The "editors" might check for facts, but sure can't take care of grammar, syntax, or style. I'd rather read a roomful of cereal boxes than a poorly written Wikipedia article, rife with misspelling and misinformation (yes, despite your best efforts, ye Morlocks, misinformation does exist on Wikipedia).
Here's the reason for the rant: Wikipedia has removed the Permuted Press article. Yes, Permuted is a "small press". Yes, I understand the Wikipedia content rules about advertising, promotion, yada yada. But, c'mon? Permuted not worthy of an article?
Permuted books have been optioned for film. Stories from Permuted anthologies have garnered honorable mentions in the Year's Best anthologies. Kim Paffenroth writes and edits for them. Um, yes, that Kim Paffenroth, the one who won the Stoker Award a few years back.
The folks at Wikipedia should not be the arbiters of reality. What happened to an "open source" encyclopedia? What happened to democratizing the process. Is this just further proof that power does indeed corrupt?
Look, a Wikipedia article does not advertise anything, as it shouldn't. But should the Morlocks that offer up articles for deletion be allowed to do so, just because they don't feel like something is important? Have you even read the trivial bull-shite on Wikipedia about semi-pro basketball players, actors, or musicians? Better yet, have you read any article about a video game? Talk about trivial.
12 comments:
I came across an article a while back about how ridiculous Wiki articles can get. The article went on to show how the information on Britney Spears was about 8,000 words longer than William Faulkner's entry. A sick world indeed.
Congrats to Carrie, but BIGGER CONGRATULATIONS to you. I know it's early days but a full request is amazing and well... we all know you are too.
I believe Wikipedia removed 'Graveside Tales' last year.
Wikipedia did the same thing with Every Day Fiction's entry. Wiki is "run" by jumped-up, self-important weenies who are desperately trying to make up for their RL inadequacies by enforcing arbitrary (or even non-existant) guidelines and acting like jackasses when someone calls them on it. Making Light had a post a while back about it; if I can find it, I'll drop by with the URL.
And a huge CONGRATULATIONS on the full request! Fingers crossed all over the place for you!!
Barry - would Britney even merit an entry in a real encyclopedia?
Cate - I was catching up on some old Graveside posts when I found the bit about Permuted. Ridiculous, all of it. (and thanks)
K.C. - you said it better than I could. (and thank you too)
Here are two Making Light posts about Wikipedia, although I can't seem to find the doozy that I remember. But these are interesting, at least.
http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/009200.html
http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/008953.html
Shh, don't anger them! I need Wikipedia to learn about Korean Boy Bands!
Oh, what the heck. Given the obscure stuff I read there, I don't think it's asking a whole lot to also be able to learn about some small publishers. And you know what, Wiki? Your updates for "The Young and the Restless" SUCK. And your information on Super Junior is incomplete. : P
Winner-ninjas of the world unite!
Um, yeah. Anyway, mucho congrats on the much-deserved full request. I will keep my fingers crossed for you, except for when I type because I'll need to use them.
Don't get me started on Wikipedia. Seriously.
Wow, congrats on the full request...that's a win, for sure. Carrie's advice was fantastic, I plan on bookmarking for when I'm ready.
Why did they take down the entry? Did someone from Permuted write it themselves? I head Neil Gaiman say a while ago that there was some incorrect into on his Wiki, but he wasn't allowed to correct it because of a conflict...is that Permuted's issue, or are they just not "noteworthy" enough for Wikia? I think the last think Wiki wants is forks of their project, but that's the end result of over-controlling.
Congrats on the full request! Here's to it leading to many good things.
Wait! Wikipedia has misinformation?!! :o
BIG TIME CONGRATS ON THE FULL REQUEST! Now that I am done shouting my praises to you, I don't think I've ever used Wiki.
BTW- Carrie, can I recommend Monstrous to you? Excellent reads for the big creature lover in all of us.
Cool beans about the full request. Are you still querying other agents too?
Natalie - let 'em have it
Carrie - I won't. Seriously.
Jeremy - I dunno. I think it wasn't noteworthy. But really, is all the crap out there noteworthy?
Jameson - I was shocked too.
Jamie - wikis aren't bad ideas, I just think Wikipedia has gotten a bit out of control.
Robert - yes indeed I'm querying other agents; that's the only way to go, I suppose.
Thanks all, for the wishes. Time will tell.
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