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Post by Mistress Rell on Feb 28, 2008 10:55:26 GMT -5
So I"ve sent out two short stories, one in October (still haven't heard back) and one just a few days ago. Since I haven't heard back from the first one, even after I sent out a queary, I'm thinking about writing that one off. I've also decided towork on shorter stories, under 5 thousand words. Easier to read, and write. This is what the second one was.
I'm also sending my work to non-paying sites. Sometimes just getting your foot in the door is the goal. Not alot of places pay, and the ones that do pay the bare miminal. $10 per story, Places that pay more want established writers, or ones that have some publishing credits under their belt.
Another thing I've noticed, almost all ezine's (online magazines) and print refuse to take fanfics. Unless it's a site that is run by fans, and you won't be paid anything for it.
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Post by Enchant on Feb 28, 2008 11:18:36 GMT -5
I wish you the best of luck....although, are the ones you sending to the publishers ones that you are not sending to other places? I heard something about if, you have posted them online or elsewhere, then they are not exclusive and will not pay for them.. I am not sure if that is just myth or not, but in away it does have some logic to it....
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Post by Mistress Rell on Mar 6, 2008 8:53:25 GMT -5
I only send out one story at a time, and wait for some kind of a reply before sending out the same one again. It only makes sense. I have two different stories out there; Echo Lake, and The Huntress. Soon to follow; Witches War (working title), Fries With That, Trip Of A Lifetime, and Night Pass.
The only place I've posted completed works is here, so I'm not too worried about anyone being upset, I was going to ask that if The Huntress is taken, if you wouldn't mind taking it down from here. Lol, that's if and when,
I've also heard the same. Some placese will allow re-prints, but I think it's an unwritten rule that if it's been in one magazine you should tell them.
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Post by Mistress Rell on Apr 23, 2008 7:22:01 GMT -5
Another step towards being published has to do with presentation. Many agents and publishing houses require that you send a synopsis of the story. It could be a short paragraph or somehting alittle more detailed as a few pages long. Either way, if it doesn't grab them, it won't grab the reader.
With that in mind, I've signed up for a synopsis workshop. Not quite sure what it intails so I'll let you all know what it's like as time goes on. I start May 10th, and I have to have a draft synopsis ready. I'm using my manuscript DragonStones for this on. If I were to ever have a novel published, this would be the one.
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Post by Mistress Rell on Sept 30, 2008 7:21:43 GMT -5
One thing I've found that trips me up quite a bit, is punctuation. Where to put those darn commas and periods. for example, which do you think is right; [yellow]1. "I don't know(. - period)" said John. "Maybe we shoudn't go to the house." or 2. "I don't know(, - comma)" said John. "Maybe we shouldnt go to the house."[/yellow] The correct answer is 2. If the dialouge sentence contiues after the tag, always place a comma.
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Post by Weird Rob 87 on Sept 30, 2008 11:14:59 GMT -5
*scratches head* Friggin' trippy.
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Post by Mistress Rell on Sept 30, 2008 13:24:16 GMT -5
Yeah, tell me about it. But I've read so many blogs by editors and agents alike that all say the same thing. Improper punctuation (as well as grammar) is a sign of an amature. Many of them discard the submission at the first sign of the misuse of either.
Trust me, there are hundreds of thousands of people out there looking to get published. Many of them think it's a quick way to make money, and find out the hard way just how tough this business really is.
You can't write for the sake of money, it has to be for the love of the craft.
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Post by Weird Rob 87 on Sept 30, 2008 23:28:10 GMT -5
Makes you think that rappers have it easier o.0
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Post by Mistress Rell on Oct 1, 2008 6:17:04 GMT -5
No, because writing lyrics is the same. You have to know what you're doing, and know how to do it properly, in order for you to get anywhere. With rapping, they'd call you a 'hack', I think. Anyway, here are some good links. Grammar Link 1Grammar Link 2Guide To Grammar and WritingPersonally, I think these links are essentian for any aspiring writer. Especially if you want to sell your stories.
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Post by Aaron on Oct 11, 2008 13:01:16 GMT -5
Yeah grammer and punctuation is a big one. Remember reading Stephen King's kinda how to book and his take on it. I'm not very good with punctuation and all that. He did say and I do believe this one that if you haven't learned it by the time out of school.. you never will. just make sure you have the rules or examples..something for you near at hand to use when those type of things come up.
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