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.
Previous
Index
Next
Flat
Re: FOR WRITERS - On being published
Edit
Reply
Quote
) 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.
