Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 845
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We writers seem to fall into two camps - those who want to write for the fun and those who want to be published. If you've been published what did it feel like?
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issi
member
Reged: 30/09/2007
Posts: 3066
Loc: Surrey
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I was paid by Pitmans, who I worked for as a teacher many years ago, to write teaching notes for one of their shorthand books. It was published but without my name so I loved seeing my work but felt a bit 'flat' about no-one knowing it was me. About a year ago the Daily Mail printed and illustrated a small story I wrote about the neighbour's cat. This was in the Peterborough column where everyone is encouraged to send their missives. I was so thrilled that I sent a copy to every 'writer' I knew, in their Christmas card! My story (unchanged), illustrated, and my name on it. It was heaven.
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 845
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Well done, Issi. Has it inspired you to submit anything else?
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issi
member
Reged: 30/09/2007
Posts: 3066
Loc: Surrey
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Thanks for taking an interest Ashbee. I have replied to another post of yours so don't want to repeat myself here. I have to say that I have done nothing for over a year now because my mind has been on other things which were so overwhelming I could not write about anything. I have also realised that writing for money is just about the most difficult thing to get into and although I love it, and would not expect to earn much, it would be such a great motivator. How about you?
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 845
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I've had the odd thing published and felt it was just luck but a couple of years ago I had a mad couple of months when I sent everything I wrote off and had it all rejected. Not surprised in hindsight ... a lot of it was pure rubbish.
There are a lot of us out there and most are trying to get published and although it isn't simple, there are a zillion ways of getting your work published - it just takes a lot of persistence and to think of different ways to hit the spot!
Have you thought about blogging? Seems a good way of getting noticed...
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issi
member
Reged: 30/09/2007
Posts: 3066
Loc: Surrey
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Blogging? Not for me I think. I want a crisp bit of paper with ink poured into letters saying my name! I do have an acquaintance who is a professional writer - film scripts, comedy scripts, advertising - her work is everywhere. She said people like us are the bain of professional writers' lives because we will do it all for nothing. But, she suggested that I start by contacting smaller local publications and seeing if they will accept an article about anything local. Of course she is right, but then, what does she know about fear and embarrassment - she gets paid dammit and has forgotten!
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Chatelaine
member
Reged: 23/08/2007
Posts: 2989
Loc: A village somewhere on the Con...
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Something has been spooking around in my mind for a while, and the other day, as I started on a book by Mary Higgins Clark, it stared at me, black on white, from the Acknowledgement's page of "I Heard that Song Before".
"Writing is essentially a lonely occupation. A writer is blessed who has people who support and encourage along the way. When I begin to tell the tale, my forever editor, XXX, and senior editor, XXX continue to cheer and advise me. My thanks always to them and to XXX my publicist, my agent XXX, and Associate Director of Copyediting, XXX and her special team: XXX and XXX
etc..... (naming her family members, and friends, and thanking them)"
Phew!!! So many people.... and all needed to get one book published.
I know that Mary H. Clark is a famous writer, but as a (still.... yet...   ) great unknown I hope, one day to perhaps, hopefully, achieve, something like that. I believe in maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude, whilst realising that rejection is part and parcel of this writing game, until your story arrives in the right place at the right time.
J.K. Rowling's is of course one of the greatest literary success stories ever! I have no illusions in that direction, although I wouldn't mind a teeny fraction of her success and tremendous good luck. 
So, yes, I want to write for money. And that should please your acquaintance, Issi, as I have no desire to produce anything for free.... Methinks her job is safe!  
But seriously now, how does one get to being published??? You have to approach a publisher! Yes, that I know too. And I have some books, somewhere, for writers about this, and know for instance that you do not approach Penquin books with a Mills and Boon style steamy sex romp. And vice versa!
Purely hypothetical now, I/you has completed a novel. I/you want to get it published. Do I/you make loads of copies and start sending it around to all kinds of publishers.....??? Or do I/you print off part of the novel, and add a further synopsis of the novel..... they can get the rest if they are interested.
OR!! Do I/you seek out an agent? I have been thinking about this. For a good agent should know where best to send your book(s) off to.....?! But how to find an agent??? And not only an agent, but one that will accept you/me. I know that agents charge a fee - a part of the takings of the book..... Fair enough, as they do a large part of the "donkey work" to bring the work to print. Anyone know what the share for an agent is???
I'd love to find out a bit more about this. Yes, of course the book(s) need finishing first...... etc etc etc..... Through these threads my too long writer's block is being lifted, and for that I am very grateful, but besides enjoying and loving writing, I'd like to see something back for it..... As I stated I have no illusions, but some money would be wonderful!!
Would like to find out a bit more about this. As I find it is an important aspect of writing and getting it in print.
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issi
member
Reged: 30/09/2007
Posts: 3066
Loc: Surrey
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Hi Chatelaine. You need to get a copy of the Writers and Artists Year Book. It is published every year and contains the details of all the main publishers and agents and what they specialise in. There is also a lot of information about presenting your manuscript and copyright law. I think you will find all the information you need in that book. Good luck.
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Artfulsighs
member
Reged: 16/04/2008
Posts: 29
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Hi Issi,
I agree that the Writers & Artists Yearbook is valuable. You can view a copy in the library, and don't forget to check the addressee details are up to date before sending enquiries. In my experience, most publishers prefer to deal with Agents, but check websites and a quick e.mail helps.
I have found that researching and submitting letters to magazines and journals is quite rewarding. If you incorporate humour (where appropriate), current topics and refer to previous articles, they often get published, and sometimes even lead to a request for more contributions.
Always follow submission guidelines, send the material to the relevent publisher/agent, expect a wait, and if your aim is to be a published writer do your market research and write what people want to read!
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issi
member
Reged: 30/09/2007
Posts: 3066
Loc: Surrey
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A good tip when researching magazines is to look at the adverts in the magazines. The advertising shows the type of reader the magazine is aimed at. All those tips are valuable ones by Artfulsighs and I think most publications will give guidelines if requested.
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