Getting Published: Publishing Tips and Advice
Posted: Sunday, April 12, 2009
by Rose DesRochers
Today's Writing Community
I suggest joining writing groups first and start seeking feedback that can help your career as a writer. It is most likely that your closest friends and family are telling you that your writing is the greatest thing since Steven King, and maybe it is, but it doesn't hurt to get some feedback from your fellow writers.
Once you are ready to take that plunge into publishing, the best places to start are magazines and e-zines looking for calls for submission. You are going to want to purchase a copy of Writer's Market that is published annually. This is an essential book for writers who are interested in publishing their work. You are also going to want to research your market and see just what kind of stories the magazine publishers are seeking. Each publisher will have specific guidelines to follow.
Offer your short stories for publication in their magazines, and be sure to list your other published work if any, and thank the editor for considering your work. If you are hoping to see your book published, some publishers will want you to send them your entire manuscript, while others may only want a query letter outlining your book proposal.
Some may wish to see a few chapters from the book. If you're sending a full manuscript or sample chapters, always include an S.A.S.E. (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope) bearing sufficient postage with your submission. Present a cover letter that is professional. I suggest doing a Google search for the term "query letter" to give you some examples. If you are submitting by email, make sure that you follow the guidelines on the publisher's website.
Stories posted on websites - Are they personal or published?
In
some cases, magazines will consider a story posted on your website or
in an open community to be published. Therefore, they will not be able
to claim first rights to it and most magazines, newspapers, etc. will
not accept it as a submission. This will differ from publisher to
publisher, and it is a very gray area. I suggest if you are submitting
work that has already appeared on the web for publication, mention in
the cover letter the forums or site where the story has been posted and
let the editor make an informed decision.
Simultaneous Submissions?
There
is a great debate in the writing community regarding simultaneous
submissions. I have had a few interesting discussions myself. Some feel
that it is the only way to get published quickly; others feel that it
could lead to a bad reputation for you as a writer. This is due to the
fact that publisher one will invest time in to reading your manuscript,
only to find later it has been accepted by another publisher. I do
encourage writers who wish to use simultaneous submission to advise the
editors of it in their query letters.
Look over the contract:
Many
first-time writers are so excited to just be published that they sign
their name on anything without fully reading the contract. I can
honestly say this is one mistake that I have made myself in the past. Without carefully
reading over the contract, you could sign yourself into a contract
where for the next seven years you are bound to it and your publisher
is reaping the rewards. Do not get trapped into this loop hole. Make
sure you do an in-depth check into the background of any publisher.
Once you send off your manuscript, now the fun comes. You sit and wait.
How long does it take?
It
could take from 8 to 10 weeks to 8 to 10 months. Don't be discouraged
by rejections. Every writer gets rejected. Even Steven King was
rejected. Ronnie L. Smith of "Writer's Relief, Inc" is quoted as saying "Every story, on average, must be
submitted to 100 markets before it is accepted."
You are going to
want to know about rights, like first serial rights, etc. On Today's
Woman under writing lessons,' there are some great articles that cover
rights. Please be sure to check them out.
Getting published isn't
easy. The editors get thousands of unsolicited Manuscripts a year.
Don't give up. Start at the bottom and work up. I know some very
talented writers who still aren't published. They've been trying for
years. Writing is all about creating a name for yourself and that takes
time.
Pod Publishing and Self Publishing
If you are really eager about having your book published,
you may wish to consider self-publishing or POD (print on demand)
publishing. If you are considering this, I suggest developing a budget
for publishing and advertising costs. You are going to want to shop
around and look at the different prices of POD publishers or printing
companies.
If you are going to go the self-publishing route you
are going to need your own ISBN number and cover designer. In Canada
you can get an ISBN number through collectionscanada.ca . If you're looking
for a print on demand publisher, I suggest starting at Dehanna Bailee's Print-on-Demand Database, which offers a side-by-side comparisons of more than 90 pod publishers or self- publishing companies.
Be sure to consider factors
such as set-up costs, royalty payments, control over your book,
distribution, cover price, advertising and the publisher's reputation.
The Internet can be a very useful tool as it allows you to investigate
the company's name to see if other writers have had trouble with the
company. Another approach to learning about the reputation of a
publishing company might be to post questions within the different
writing groups that you belong to.
Todayswriting.com also hosts a Warning Writers page. Be sure to do your
homework and never just take the publisher's word.
Remember
self-publishing means just what it says- self-publishing- you do the
editing, the marketing, advertising, distribution, and sales.
It
might be good to get some writing credits under your name before you
think big. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you much success and hope
you never give up on your dreams.
"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it." -William Arthur Ward