To All My Friends Who Write

I am posting this poem, not as a criticism against publishing, but as a means to convey my personal struggle with seeking to be published.  At the regular prompting of my father as well as many people who have enjoyed reading my work, I have considered if I should indeed try to get some of my work published.  Even now, I am creating a small 5 x 7 book for the purpose of maybe getting it printed and published, but not by using formal channels but by self-publishing instead.  My struggle is with being involved with the publishing industry itself.  Generally, their focus is on profit and as a result there are various aspects of this industry of which I have great concern.  I know that it is unfair to place such a narrow characterization upon all those who are involved in publishing, but I have talked with people who have gone through the process of getting published and they all say the same thing - "The writer must become the star of the show".

          This poem is meant to encourage other writers, who care about the integrity of their work as much as I, to consider a different viewpoint as they approach the idea of being formally published.  I hope that it will be received with the spirit in which it was written.

By His grace,

David L Vanderpool

To All My Friends Who Write

. . . I try to please everyone in everything I do,

not seeking my own advantage, but that of many . . .

1 Corinthians 10:33

There are times, with our intentions at their very best

a writer wants to use their work for good

we think of ways to place our words for all the world to read

and maybe being published if we could

But even though there isn't any pride behind our goal

maybe people can be truly blessed

by giving work away instead of writing it for sale

perhaps this way we'll use it for the best

In the marketplace we must compete to get ahead

and our success is measured by a sale

I've met writers who have paid what publication asks

just to find that in the end they fail

Consider well the outcome of the work put on display

along the side of someone else's book

it may get attention from some people when it's new

but soon it hardly gets a second look

There's nothing wrong if we receive some compensation for

the work that we have made into an art

but we will serve a larger group of people in the end

when our work is a gift straight from our heart

David L Vanderpool