| It appears that today everyone is a writer, and | | | | without fully reading the contract. I can honestly |
| we all have the same dream. We all hope to | | | | say this is one mistake that I have made. Without |
| someday be published. So as writers, where do | | | | carefully reading over the contract, you could sign |
| we get started? | | | | yourself into a contract where for the next |
| I suggest joining writing groups first and start | | | | seven years you are bound to it and your |
| seeking feedback that can help your career as a | | | | publisher is reaping the rewards. Do not get |
| writer. It is most likely that your closest friends | | | | trapped into this loop hole. Make sure you do an |
| and family are telling you that your writing is the | | | | in-depth check into the background of any |
| greatest thing since Steven King’s, and | | | | publisher. Once you send off your manuscript, |
| maybe it is, but it doesn't hurt to get some | | | | now the fun comes. You sit and wait. |
| feedback from your fellow writers. | | | | How long does it take? |
| Once you are ready to take that plunge into the | | | | It could take from 8 to 10 weeks to 8 to 10 |
| deep oceans of writing to see your work | | | | months. Don't be discouraged by rejections; every |
| published for the first time, the best places to | | | | writer gets rejected. Even Steven King was |
| start are magazines and e-zines looking for calls | | | | rejected. One published author says every story, |
| for submission. For example, there are over 150 | | | | on average, must be submitted to 100 markets |
| publishers listed on the Today's Woman Writing | | | | before it is accepted. |
| Community website, all looking for stories and | | | | You are going to want to know about rights, like |
| poetry. | | | | first serial rights, etc. On Today's Woman under |
| You are going to want to purchase a copy of | | | | ‘writing lessons,’ there are some |
| Writer's Market that is published annually. This is | | | | great articles that cover rights. Please be sure to |
| an essential book for writers who are interested | | | | check them out. |
| in publishing their work. You are also going to want | | | | Getting published isn't easy. The editors get |
| to research your market. You are going to want | | | | thousands of unsolicited Manuscripts a year. Don't |
| to see just what kind of stories the magazine | | | | give up. Start at the bottom and work up. I know |
| publishers are seeking. Each publisher will have | | | | some very talented writers who still aren't |
| specific guidelines to follow. | | | | published. They've been trying for years. Writing is |
| Offer your short stories for publication in their | | | | all about creating a name for yourself and that |
| magazines, and be sure to list your other | | | | takes time. |
| published work if any, and thank the editor for | | | | If you are really eager about having your book |
| considering your work. If you are hoping to see | | | | published, you may wish to consider self-publishing |
| your book published, some publishers will want | | | | or POD (print on demand) publishing. If you are |
| you to send them your entire manuscript, while | | | | considering this, I suggest developing a budget for |
| others may only want a query letter outlining | | | | publishing and advertising costs. You are going to |
| your book proposal. Some may wish to see a | | | | want to shop around and look at the different |
| few chapters from the book. If you're sending a | | | | prices of POD publishers or printing companies. |
| full manuscript or sample chapters, always include | | | | If you are going to go the self-publishing route |
| an S.A.S.E. (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope) | | | | you are going to need your own ISBN number |
| bearing sufficient postage with your submission. | | | | and cover designer. In Canada you can get an |
| Present a cover letter that is professional. I | | | | ISBN number through [ If you're looking for a |
| suggest doing a Google search for query letter to | | | | print on demand publisher, I suggest starting at |
| give you some examples. If you are submitting | | | | the Today's Woman Writing Community database |
| by email, make sure that you follow the guidelines | | | | of POD Publishers Be sure to consider factors |
| on the publisher’s website. | | | | such as set-up costs, royalty payments, control |
| Stories posted on websites - are they personal or | | | | over your book, distribution, cover price, |
| published? | | | | advertising and the publisher's reputation. The |
| In some cases, magazines will consider a story | | | | Internet can be a very useful tool as it allows you |
| posted on your website or in an open community | | | | to investigate the company's name to see if |
| to be published. Therefore, they will not be able to | | | | other writers have had trouble with the company. |
| claim first rights to it and most magazines, | | | | Another approach to learning about the reputation |
| newspapers, etc. will not accept it as a submission. | | | | of a publishing company might be to post |
| This will differ from publisher to publisher, and it is | | | | questions within the different writing groups. |
| a very gray area. I suggest if you are submitting | | | | Todays-Woman.net also hosts a ‘Warning |
| work that has already appeared on the web for | | | | Writers’ page [ Be sure to do your |
| publication, mention in the cover letter the forums | | | | homework and never just take the |
| or site where the story has been posted and let | | | | publisher’s word. |
| the editor make an informed decision. | | | | If you write poetry, why not consider making a |
| Simultaneous Submissions? | | | | chapbook of your poetry. A chapbook is "a small |
| There is a great debate in the writing community | | | | book or pamphlet containing poems, ballads, |
| regarding simultaneous submissions. I have had a | | | | stories, or religious tracts" (MIT) the term is still |
| few interesting discussions myself. Some feel that | | | | used today to refer to short, inexpensive |
| it is the only way to get published quickly; others | | | | booklets. Be sure to read my article "Make a |
| feel that it could lead to a bad reputation for you | | | | Chapbook of Your Poetry". |
| as a writer. This is due to the fact that publisher | | | | Remember self-publishing means just what it |
| one will invest time in to reading your manuscript, | | | | says- self-publishing- you do the editing, the |
| only to find later it has been accepted by another | | | | marketing, advertising, distribution, and sales. |
| publisher. I do encourage writers who wish to use | | | | It might be good to get some writing credits |
| simultaneous submission to advise the editors of it | | | | under your name before you think big. Whatever |
| in their query letters. | | | | you decide to do, I wish you much success and |
| Look over the contract: | | | | hope you never give up on your dreams. |
| Many first-time writers are so excited to just be | | | | “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If |
| published that they sign their name on anything | | | | you can dream it, you can become it. |