Comments on: Call for Manuscripts: Street Smarts

By: jay allain

jay allain — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:15:21 +0000

Yo, ya gotta give it to these dudes… they’re addressing a niche that very few want to touch, namely, the tactics and strategies required when the rubber meets the road (thin or lost wallets versus some very pressing survival needs: Shelter, food, & clothes jump to mind). And alas, some of us have had to develop Ph.D.s on the subject (Practical-human-Desperation)… Perhaps our hard-earned tips can help someone else; for the times demand it (and probably will for a good while yet, the pundits notwithstanding).

By: Dustin Stones

Dustin Stones — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:42:53 +0000

Hey, Janet, it’s hard to get paid for your writing these days because (1) no one reads anymore, (2) newspapers are contracting, (3)websites and blogs don’t have to pay, (4) what we have to offer, to steal a punch line, is much too good for them.” (PICK)

By: John Dinkins

John Dinkins — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:24:52 +0000

I love the concept of “Street Smarts:..” is amazing. Bruce and Louis are doing it again. I have their latest book “The Bandana Republic, a Literary Anthology by Gang Members…” and it was a fabulous read.

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:20:57 +0000

Please direct your questions about this project to the email address for the authors: vze3cbjx@verizon.net.

By: Janet

Janet — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:55:50 +0000

Nothing was said about paying for accepted submissions. Are you asking for volunteer unpaid writing?

By: Carla Sims

Carla Sims — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:29:03 +0000

The first blogger’s reply was very typical of a self-righteous elitist idiot. The mere fact that he would presuppose that a person going in the book will set himself/herself up for being incriminated is telling of the fact that he feels that they are criminal. He needs to stop believing his own press clippings. I think “Street Smarts…” is a very timely project that will be a powerful tool for people in struggle to not only express themselves in a therapeutic fashion, but to also shed some pointers for others to learn from.I see this as a Bestseller.I can’t wait to get my copy. Bravo!

By: Olga

Olga — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:09:17 +0000

Why are you inquiring about urban survival only? I live in a very small town on Cape Cod. Most of us cobble together a living doing multiple jobs (when they are available), such as home health aids, landscaping, waitressing, dog-sitting, etc. Much of the income is not reported. Many of us barter services. The local Swap Shop at the dump provides for many of our material needs (furniture, wood for wood-burning stoves, clothes, cooking utensils, small electronics). There is a lot of collective support (esp. off-season). During the tourist season many people rent out their homes and live in tents for the summer. Why side-step the rural working poor?

By: Michael Dixon

Michael Dixon — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:19:37 +0000

Always pay your rent first–ALWAYS.

Your stomach can’t evict you.

Pay other as needed like when they turn your electricity off.

If you take a one credit class at community college, you can get basic medical care at the student health center.

Ignore laws like mandatory car insurance when you can until you can afford it.

Buy a Toyota or Honda, even if you have to get an older one than the American car you could get with the same money. Those two brands will last longer and require far less repairs.

By: Jack Lebowitz

Jack Lebowitz — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:41:00 +0000

Gee, interesting idea, study the underground economy so we can start to quantify how many people do 30’s style “rent parties” and how many subsist on Nancy Botwin-esque underground horticulture? (I can tell you, it’s a lot, ask your kids living in California about how easy it is to get temp work as a “trimmer” at $30/hour in various places.)

But, by the same token, how realistic is it that someone in this position is going to want to brag about it in “Streets Smarts”? How do the author’s notes not get subpoenaed? How is any confidentiality guaranteed to submitters? It sounds pretty dubious and risky to me, aside from producing results which are going to be highly selective and anecdotal and not necessarily of much sociological value.