In planning the third Wild West Monday I want to get the date right so what does everyone else think. Some people are saying we should hold the day more often, say monthly but I think that would be overkill. Quarterly will be much easier to manage and of course we can still promote and push the western genre throughout the year. But I, personally, would rather do three of them a year - please let me know what everyone thinks.
So let' say the first Monday in June for the next one and then we can have another around November before the Christmas madness begins all over again.
What does everyone else think?
Wild West Monday III - 1st June 2009 - provisional thus far.
ADDITIONAL: See RAY'S comments to this post. Any suggestions on how we can take Wild West Monday to a new level?
Western related - there's a really good website and forum HERE which is dedicated to the British western writers of the 70's/80's - think the literary answer to the Italian Westerns. You can join the forum and chat to fellow members including the creator of the legendary Edge series, Terry Harknett/George G. Gilman
7 comments:
While I share your enthusiam - let me throw some thoughts your way.
1. June is a time when people start their summer vacations.
2. A launch platform has been built - the next wave has to come with some heavier power behind it that will reach a wider audience. Many of us have done the bookshop/library thing - so therefore Wild West Monday must be in position to go to another level come the day.
3. I suggest September/October which will allow time for thoughts and ideas to come in. Look at other avenues to explore.
3.
Take your point Ray - putting the next one off till September will allow us to have one around Christmas time too. What does everyone else think?
I'll support it whenever you decide to do it. Having a longer time to the next may allow for some copy to be produced to send to writing and/or general interest magazines as they ten to like stuff quite a bit before they publish.
June 1st sounds great.
Hey, kind of a non-sequitur, but what is the connection between the British and Westerns? I've noticed quite a devoted following from you folks across the pond, one that I didn't realize existed. I would go so far as to say Brits seems MORE interested in Westerns than Americans? Given the interesting and somewhat complicated history of the US and Britain, I think this is an interesting subject. Thoughts?
Chris - westerns have always been popular in the UK, as well as the rest of the world. The US was built largely on immigration and I think everyone can identify with the opening up of THE WEST, no matter where they were born.
It is interesting though because I've spoken with Americans who are of the opinion that British history is much more interesting and that the US, still really a young country, has no history as such - I say are you kidding! That period we call the Wild West is absolutely fascinating. And think what an amazing thing it was building the railways across the West.And before all that the early days of exploration - the Lewis and Clark exploration. And of course far far back there was that war where you kicked our British arses.
I'm of the opinion that people are basically the same everywhere and we can all identify with the heroes and legends of The OLd West.
I'll be touring the West next year and I can't wait. I think my interest with the area and period is that I was CALAMITY JANE in a previous life.LOL
Chris - the grass is always greener on the other side. :-)
Gary - a bit like the author days on the BHW forum, I don't think you're going to find an option to satisfy everyone. As usual, I'm on the fence. 1st June sounds fine in terms of keeping the embers of the initiative alight (maybe a phone call/visit to a library/shop asking why they don't stock westerns is enough for then) and September sounds good for the big bang which would be more like the one you've just organised.
Chris
I so agree with Gary about the West. I am from Wales, and I have loved the Old West for years. It was a time of wonder, excitement, danger, courage. I just love it so much, and as you said, Gary, at the beginning, people went there from all over the world, so we all have a stake in it. I know my great grandparents did, and I think Gary's relatives did too. I would much rather have the history of the Old West than of England.
Andrea
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