Live from The Mechanics Institute

Brooks Roddan spoke the other day at The Mechanics Institute, 57 Post Street, San Francisco. In a program titled, "Two Sides of the Coin: Writing and Publishing", Mr. Roddan presented, among other things, these "9 Rules for Motives and Acts as Writer/Publisher":

1. There is no destination, so go ahead and ramble. If you think you're going to get anywhere, stop.

2. In writing and publishing, forget about the separation of church and state.

3. Write first, publish second.

4. Feed the writer first, then the publisher.

5. Never publish anything you're not proud of, whether you've written it or not.

6. As publisher, befriend the person you're publishing; or at the very least have a relationship that can tolerate honesty. Be
businesslike but don't expect to make money; if you break even consider it a success.

7. As writer, befriend yourself but don't expect your friendship to be successful.

8. When in doubt as a publisher, don't publish.

9. When in doubt as a writer, use a pseudonym.