|
Post by Mistress Rell on Mar 23, 2007 7:39:26 GMT -5
I decided last night that I'm going to think seriously about becoming a published writer. I have always wanted this, but have lacked the determination to do it. Until now. It's going to be hard, I know this, and I don't expect to be picked up quickly. That would be unrealistic, but if I work my way up, take baby steps, then I think I can accomplish my goal. First off, I think before I can go to a publishing house, I think I should have some credit under my belt. I'm going to start writting short stories and try to get them published in some magazines. I know of one that puts stories of unknown writers, but I need more than one story. I want to have at least 4 done. The problem now is coming up with ideas. I have one, well, had one. I finished it and saved it to floopy, only to have the whole thing degrade on me befoe I could get it copied. But that's alright. I still have it in my head. This is the story I'm working on to be (hopefully) published. Interlude
|
|
|
Post by Weird Rob 87 on Mar 23, 2007 15:12:21 GMT -5
Sweet, but I've never used floppy, I prefer to either have it saved on the comp as a back up and have it posted somewhere as another backup.
|
|
|
Post by Mistress Rell on Mar 25, 2007 8:08:28 GMT -5
Lol, by saying 'floppy I'm showing my age. I saved them all to disk, is wht I meant to say. You know the one that fits in A slot. I had a word processor maching (a typewritter with a hard drive on it) and saved it on that. But when I went to transfer it to my computer the OS didn't recognize the format. I lost the entire short story, and one manuscript. Two years worth of work, gone. *cries*
|
|
|
Post by Weird Rob 87 on Mar 25, 2007 13:52:09 GMT -5
Damn that sucks. I'd be really angry too if that happened to me.
|
|
|
Post by Aaron on Mar 26, 2007 15:13:05 GMT -5
Hey congrats. Be careful though Rell...there are alot of scammers and before you start looking into Self Publishing..REALLY look at it. Alot of those companie's are promising alot of things yet they arn't delivering and just hurting people. There is a books out there that have like a big directory. Find out if you can certain author's agents and just send them the story..or novel. Figure out what they like though. Some houses will take just a story and no agent. Some require or like to have an agent during the happenings. -shrugs- anyhow, just be careful and have fun!
|
|
|
Post by Mistress Rell on Mar 26, 2007 15:22:13 GMT -5
Well I plan on doing this in baby steps. I know of one magazine that takes short stories from unknown authors. If I could get a list of those kinds of magazines then I be set for now. Once I have some things printed then I could go to a publising house and try to sell a manuscript.
|
|
|
Post by Weird Rob 87 on Mar 26, 2007 17:23:26 GMT -5
maybe i should look into the short story publishing thing. eh.. or not.
|
|
|
Post by Aaron on Mar 27, 2007 20:27:39 GMT -5
maybe i should look into the short story publishing thing. eh.. or not. If you want to then do it. Although know that it's easier to actually sell a full novel or short story then a novella. Those are not quite novel's but not short stories. Even Stephen King has a hard time convincing his publisher's to publish the books that have his novella's in 'em. Rell and Insanity....go to google and just look up e-mag's and what not that are on the net or actually publish out to people. They will get you a low down on what they accept and how long and also too how to reach them. Some like e-mail and some just like snail mail. Also too they should tell you how much they pay. Generally from what I saw it was like a 10 cent a word type of deal. Which isn't that bad. Oh and be sure to check out the mag before you send it. See what the editor likes in stories and what they are wanting. Will give ya a better chance to getting okayed. And you don't have to be published in a small mag or what not to get a novel published. You can just write a novel that is okay as well. Although, depends on who will pick it up. If it's a smaller publishing house...which depending on what you want and the book could be actually really great for you...or could be a big time new york firm. Either way up to you. Oh, and finally there are author blogs and even some agent blogs so if you have an agent in mind look them up. They may actually have a blog and if so read it. Gives more insight and they actually do put in what they hate to have recieved and just some of the etiquette and what not. Agent's read probably a few hundreds of pages and beginnings of stories and novels a month. And the truelly last bit....what houses do you read from? Look at your collection of stories and novels. Which publisher do you have majority of books from? Could mean that they would be a good fit or could possible. Never know. Types of stories that are sellable? Vampires are ALWAYS hot but they are really still hot even now. Publisher's always looking for the next vampire story. Murder's and those types are very hot. Especially forensic types...*CSI and what not*. That is what I'v learned so far lol. I have a friend in the publishing world. And, just kinda finding people's blogs and reading and what not.
|
|
|
Post by Mistress Rell on Mar 28, 2007 8:24:55 GMT -5
Ohhhhhh, excellent info Aaron! I have just elected you my manager.
|
|
|
Post by Aaron on Mar 28, 2007 16:05:40 GMT -5
Welcome. Either way though do check out the editor's and agent blogs. They do offer advice. Even if the agent or what not isn't in the genre you are wanting to write in or even like. Just great info to look over and get a feel for.
Oh and know for a fact that the self publishing isn't all cracked up to be. So don't expect to be on New York Times best seller..and you WILL be doing 100 percent of the work.
|
|
|
Post by Weird Rob 87 on Mar 28, 2007 17:14:18 GMT -5
Ah thanks for the info Aaron, much appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by Aaron on Mar 29, 2007 14:17:28 GMT -5
Welcome. I actually there for a time was considering till I dug around and what not. If you head to there board on there site 90 percent are newbies and what not. They don't have alot of people past a few years. Thought that was interesting. Anyhow, hate to see a writer get with something expecting something big and yet getting had in the end. We put alot of work in stories and what not and then to be dupped? That just sucks really.
|
|
|
Post by Weird Rob 87 on Mar 31, 2007 18:03:15 GMT -5
yep.
|
|
|
Post by Mistress Rell on May 12, 2007 8:08:20 GMT -5
Don't ask me how I found the link below, I'm still amazed myself. Now, once you have a story written out, check the grammar, spelling, etc, in other words, [red]PROOF READ[/RED] or find someone to do it for you. you may want to start looking at these; Market ListThe above link is for sci-fi/horror/fantasy only. Short stories to poems. Take a look around the home page and read carefully what the guidlines are for specific companies. [red] WATCH FOR THE RED PRINTING![/RED][/I]
|
|
|
Post by Aaron on May 12, 2007 16:03:13 GMT -5
Hey thanks Rell!
|
|