Getting Published Is Different For Everyone: Two Paths Among Many

One obvious question that can get overlooked inyears. He is familiar with some of the
the process of seeking publication is, Why do youpsychological challenges some elderly people face
want to publish this book, article, story or poem?when considering alternative care. For example,
Most likely, the answer involves some combinationhaving relied on western medicine exclusively for
of artistic or spiritual vision, desire for recognition,so many years, many elderly patients are
need to communicate an idea or body ofunderstandable skeptical about undertaking
knowledge, feeling a compelling urge to shiftsomething unfamiliar, and in their eyes, marginal.
consciousness around a particular topic, seeing aBryan wants to write a book that would serve as
knowledge gap in the general society and feelinga guide to holistic health care for the elderly and
called to fill it, and of course receiving a little or atheir families, but isn't sure how to begin.
lot of financial compensation for one's efforts.Having never published before, Bryan might well
As writers, as creative people, it can be difficultchoose to write an article to begin with (as
to join the artistic and spiritual sides of whatopposed to launching into a full-on book), for
drives us with the practical and business concerns.several reasons. One, it will be a good exercise in
However, the union needn't be a shotgunwriting itself. Two, he will see whether he feels
marriage, and it needn't be done alone. Let's looksatisfied with the amount of writing in an article,
at some examples.or feels he has a great deal more to say. Three,
Cassie, 23, is a recent college graduate with anhe will introduce himself to potential readers as an
English major. She is working as an editorialexpert on his topic, perhaps even creating a
assistant in an academic publishing house. For thewebsite to include as part of his byline.
last several years, she has been keeping a journalLet's say Bryan decides to go ahead with his
of poetry and prose. In the last six months, shearticle, entitled "Holistic Health Care for the Elderly."
has been reading at open-mike nights throughoutNow Bryan needs to decide what audience he
the Bay area, and has begun to receive excellentwishes to reach: Health care providers? Elderly
feedback and recognition for her work. Thinkingpatients? Families of elderly patients? Aging
she might be ready to publish a book, CassieBaby-Boomers? His publishing consultant sends him
showed her work to one of her colleagues aton a mission to the library and through the
Scholarly Books, Inc., who told her her work wasInternet to find a small handful of publications in
not commercially viable. What should be Cassie'swhich he would love to see his work appear. To
next step?his surprise, Bryan finds that the topic has been
First of all, Cassie should get other opinions aboutfairly well-covered already, however, no one has
the viability of her work, and from people withadequately addressed the issue of coordinating
more relevant backgrounds. An editor at anmultiple health care providers for the elderly
academic press does not necessarily know thepatient, something Bryan has much to say about.
market for poetry and literary fiction, and even ifBryan decides on two gerontology trade journals
she does, any author would do well to learn a bitand three consumer magazines geared toward
more. Right now, Cassie is making enough moneybaby-boomers, who are likely caring for an aging
to live on, and has time left over to pursue herparent. He crafts one query letter for the trade
writing.journals, and another for the consumer
Though most writers of poetry and literary fictionmagazines, which his writing consultant helps him
do not earn the bulk of their livings throughpolish. Should both a trade journal and consumer
publishing their work, Cassie's main goal ismagazine accept his query, he'll be able to recycle
self-expression and elevating her level ofsome of the same material for different
participation in her literary community of choice.audiences, provided both editors approve. Once
This would give her increased recognition andpublished, Bryan will be much better situated to
acknowledgment, which a few years down thedecide whether and how to go about writing his
road, could in turn translate into a cash advancebook, if he still feels called to do so.
for her next book. Even without a published book,While their situations differ, both Cassie and
Cassie could possibly attract enough students toBryan, like other writers, needed to consider the
offer a successful creative writing workshopquestion of audience: Who will be interested in
through a local venue.reading this work? They also need to consider
Cassie might also want to consider some of thetheir vehicle: What is the best way to reach this
many alternatives to mainstream publishing suchaudience? Are there multiple routes to various
as zines, e-books, subsidy publishing oraudiences? Should an author put all his energies
self-publishing. A knowledgeable and qualifiedinto one route, or explore several avenues
publishing consultant will be able to help her makesimultaneously? What are the advantages and
the best choice at the optimal point in her writingdisadvantages to each of these choices? Finally,
career.both Cassie and Bryan had to do some work to
Here's another, very different, path:establish credibility in their field: Readers want
Bryan, 47, is a nurse-practitioner who spent timewords that come from experience, knowledge
before and after nursing school working in nursingand recognized talent. Both Cassie and Bryan are
homes. Now he works in a clinic for the elderlywell on their way to moving their writing careers
with doctors and social workers. He is known into the next step. Their weekly meetings with
the office as the "New Age Guru," and oftentheir writing consultant help them clarify their
refers his clients to homeopaths, osteopaths, andoptions each step of the way, make the choices
other practitioners of alternative medicine. He wasthat are best for them, and groom the query
even instrumental in starting an ongoing yogaletters and proposals that help launch them into
class for the elderly at the local "Y."print.
Bryan has kept up with gerontological andThe above are fictional composite characters
alternative medicine health issues by reading bothextrapolated from typical client situations.
trade journals and consumer magazines, for