Short Story Workshop

I love that bookstore, for some inexplicable reason, as I've probably mentioned before. I wonder just how packed it's going to be?

Hard to say, BroadwayBK. I was there one Saturday, and it was packed. I think someone was reading a story to some kids. The place got a huge draw that day.

Oh, man, no way! Awful idea to recommend Gotham's "free" classes. These so called classes are just marketing events, where they get a chance to collect your mailing info and ascertain that you're a sucker, and then they Never. Go. Away. You are thereafter bombarded with offers to take this and that exciting (PAID) class. I really really hate places that cash in on people's desire to be writers, or artists, or some kind of creative. Oftentimes they take advantage of people who don't have a lot of creativity in their lives and milk them for all they're worth. stay away from Gotham, it's about as reputable as the New York Film Academy.

I didn't know that! When I was a kid I used to read those free Gotham brochures for fun...sad to hear they're not in fact legit!

@Uraniumfish, I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I took a class once and didn't have a problem. They didn't come after me all that much. I mean they did contact me by email every so often with offers and special discounts but that is the way all businesses do. I just merely deleted the email. I also have a few writer friends in the city and they told me they dealt with Gotham and had no problem at all. One writer told me she would get catalogs in the mail on a weekly basis. She just looked them over and tossed them.

Perhaps you just met an overly aggressive salesperson. I'm not belittling your experience and making light of it. Actually, I feel bad that you went through that. I hope that anyone else who corresponds with them don't go through what you did. It would be terrible if they did.

As a side note: I dealt with Gotham about 5 years ago, not lately. If what you experienced was more recent, I wish to say I'm so sorry you went through that. I guess with the recession and all, they are trying to be too pushy for their own good.

On the other hand, I do agree with you when you state you hate businesses that want to take advantage of writers. I hate that to, and shy away from anyone who attempts to do that.

If anyone does have any bad experiences with Gotham, post them here so we an all be aware of them.

@Uraniumfish Thanks for the info. You seem to have first hand experience on Gotham never leaving you alone?

I actually had a friend tell me about some kind of strange program that you pay to publish you, as if that is somehow going to help you find success as a writer. I mean, who is going to read such a publication besides you and all the other people who paid to be in it? There are a lot of programs out there trying to take advantage of people's artistic aspirations, especially in this city....

I have no direct experience with Gotham but I'm very skeptical about places that need to advertise that much. It seems like they's all over the place with their advertising. I doubt that's a good sign.

Eh, that's how I feel about schools that feel the need to advertise. A worthy school attracts so many students that they have to reject a lot of them - not beg for potential tuition payers.

@DBlack: Actually, from a marketing standpoint, that much advertising shows they know how to market. It is only when they market and advertise themselves as doing one thing, and they do opposite of what they advertise, can they get caught with false advertising. The only think I stay away from is if they make claims that you can become a million writer in one year by working their program. My best friend, Bob Bly, is a renowned copywriter and he didn't make a million the first year. It actually took him three years to reach that level.