Of course we could always conduct a serious discussion about Islam, without any adherents being around???

Mmmm, maybe you're right.

I'm no Islamic scholar, but I did spend 5.5 years living in Saudi Arabia, in the heartland of Islam, and have a few interesting anecdotes to share. Actually, I wrote a damn book on the experience, but never quite got it published.

Durro wrote:Mmmm, maybe you're right.

I'm no Islamic scholar, but I did spend 5.5 years living in Saudi Arabia, in the heartland of Islam, and have a few interesting anecdotes to share. Actually, I wrote a damn book on the experience, but never quite got it published.

I forgot about that book Durro. I was looking forward to it. Why no book?

It sucks. That's why.

Durro wrote:It sucks. That's why.

That is a shame. Not possible to revamp it?

Durro wrote:It sucks. That's why.

I'm pretty sure that's not true. Where did you get your feedback from?

Are you still working on it? I hope you've not given up on it, you seemed so excited about it

Feedback from several literary agents was that it was interesting, provocative, humorous and well written, BUT just not a sure-fire sellable prospect in this "difficult" market and thus, not worthy of taking a risk on. One agent asked for 3 lots of sample chapters and nearly took it, but just wasn't 100% convinced.

So, I am my own worst critic and may be exaggerating the lack of quality. I'm thinking of judicously editing it and trying again, but I was so deflated by the initial attempts that it's hard to be motivated to try once more.

Yes anything that is a critique of islam is very difficult country.

Durro wrote:Feedback from several literary agents was that it was interesting, provocative, humorous and well written, BUT just not a sure-fire sellable prospect in this "difficult" market and thus, not worthy of taking a risk on. One agent asked for 3 lots of sample chapters and nearly took it, but just wasn't 100% convinced.

So, I am my own worst critic and may be exaggerating the lack of quality. I'm thinking of judicously editing it and trying again, but I was so deflated by the initial attempts that it's hard to be motivated to try once more.

You do sound like you're being a little harsh on yourself my friend. I hope you can see the criticism as feedback at some point and maybe edit it a bit and try again.

Scot Dutchy wrote:Yes anything that is a critique of islam is very difficult country.

You're right but what the heck. Loads of authors get their works rejected multiple times before someone has the balls to publish. Durro, you should go for it. Call me a wuss though, I'd use a pen name and a mail drop address, those Muslims can be a touch hysterical if someone has a pop at their pet paedophile.

Durro, have you seen the Crowdsourcing publisher Unbound? It's featured on the Little Atoms podcast and is a way for authors with interesting ideas to get started when regular publishers won't take the risk.

(edited to add the link to Unbound - it's not a self-publishing site, and can lead to 'normal' publishing deals later if enough support can be gathered to get the book e-published in the first instance)

monkeyboy wrote:

Scot Dutchy wrote:Yes anything that is a critique of islam is very difficult country.

You're right but what the heck. Loads of authors get their works rejected multiple times before someone has the balls to publish. Durro, you should go for it. Call me a wuss though, I'd use a pen name and a mail drop address, those Muslims can be a touch hysterical if someone has a pop at their pet paedophile.

Wuss!

Thanks for the encouragement and resources. I'll think about trying again. May be a good Christmas project.

Durro, I think you should just publish it on a self-publishing site. I would buy a copy, definitely. Allow us to buy copies and read it and I'll promote it on my website as well. Even if it doesn't sell millions of copies, you'll have the satisfaction of a printed book on your shelf. I'm going to do that, I can't be bothered with narrow-minded publishers who tell me that "the Bible's been written and written about, one more book about it won't sell." So I'll sell it myself, even if I don't sell more than 10 copies, I'll still have the satisfaction of a printed copy of my own.

Agrippina wrote:Of course we could always conduct a serious discussion about Islam, without any adherents being around???

We could, but, you know, it's a bit like a couple of years ago on the old RDF - this English Catholic bishop had waffled about how atheists lose a part of life by not being believers (this from a supposedly celibate priest!) and the disccussion was all about how much everyone agreed with everyone else. I can do that at the pub with me mates and cronies, no worries, but it gets a bit one sided (until some fundamentalist thows a Molotov cocktail though the computer screen, that is*).

*) Hasn't happened so far, though.

NilsGLindgren wrote:We could, but, you know, it's a bit like a couple of years ago on the old RDF - this English Catholic bishop had waffled about how atheists lose a part of life by not being believers (this from a supposedly celibate priest!)

Still I'd like to know more about it.

If you really are serious and don't intend to be insulting but wanting to learn about Islam then join a Muslim forum.

However they do get upset if you call Mo a pedo though.

There are some atheists hereand I used to be on another with one of the moderators.

John

PS Thanks for the work yesterday.

Noooooooooo, I couldn't do that. They'd throw me off on the 2nd post.



Edit: damn predictive text.

Well how serious are you about learning about Islam then?

John