How to become a published author?

Question

I have been told that I am a pretty good writer and that I need to get some of my stories published. I have several stories that I am working on right now I have a couple more bewing in my head. I just need to know how I would go about getting published and what steps I need to take.

Answer 1

Take a look at this web site:


www.stephenleather.com

There is a load of very useful information including links to publishers and agents who are looking for new talent. Do not be put off by people telling you how difficult it is or how you can't make a living at writing. That isn't what writing is all about and those that say you shouldn't do it just don't understand writers!

If you're good.....you'll get published. Trust me....all publishers read submitted manuscripts. You have to aim your story at the right one. Not much point sending a love story to a SF publisher!

Good luck....enjoy your writing!

Answer 2

Find a Writer's Market book or a Novel and Short Story Writer's Market book at your local book store. Study those literary agents that could better represent you through what they accept and what you've written.

Follow their submission guidelines to the letter while crafting the best query letter you can possible do. Usually, agencies will accept the first three sample chapters and a short synopsis of your manuscript. Log on to their web site and see what their current submission guidelines are and follow them.

To find your true worth as a writer always have a disinterested, but knowledgable person edit your manuscript; never a friend or relative. Those close to you will be inclined to think your writings are superb when in fact you might need to have your manuscript polished.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Becoming a published author is VERY DIFFICULT and most people don't make it to that level. Frankly, you need connections and a lot of know how under your belt, and often an agent, depending on what you are writing. Publishers receive thousand and thousands of manuscripts every year and mosta re never read by them let alone published. The short story genre is all but dead and gone, I hate to say it. I woudl work for my school newspaper and perhaps take some journalism course at some point. Again, youa re entering a field that is VERY ccompetitive and where only a handful of people EVER see publication. This is one of the toughest fields to get into!

Answer 4

You need a copy of the Writer's Digest. It's a compendium of book and magazine publishers, and outlines the specific requirements for each publisher. That saves you from sending your mss to the wrong market. Get a copy of WD and read it through. They also publish a monthly magazine (your local library likely has it on the shelves and will have back copies) featuring endless stories about how to approach each of the different types of media.
Keep at it, and good luck!

Answer 5

Submit your stories to literary magazines. Most are published through universities and don't pay very well, but offer exposure to publishing agents. A good reference book is The CLMP Directory of Literary Magazines and Presses, Manic D Press, San Francisco. It'll cost you about $35.00, but it's well worth it. It lists all of the publications in the U.S., their genres, annual contests, what they pay, if anything, contact information and submission guidelines. It will become your bible.

Some magazines are for beginners, like Beginnings and pay nothing, only giving you copies of the magazine in which your story was printed. Then, there are others, like The New Yorker, which pay the best, yet they are the hardest and most sought after to get into.

Answer 6

Writing stories is a good start. But in order to become a better writer, you have to expose yourself to all sorts of published works in order to "beef up" your writing vocabulary, style, grammer, and voice.

In order to become published, you have to know that nothing is easy, being traditionally published doesn't mean you become rich, and that the road to publishing takes years and lots of dedication.

But once you've written enough stories, start writing novellas, and then eventually novels.

Bottom line though: Writing and publishing are two different industries--each with its own preference.

If you want to write how you write, stick to writing. If you want to get traditionally published, it means deep-sixing what you already know and following a path which many have already taken as writers, but have not found as much joy or success in it.

Answer 7

One avenue is to join a writers guild or group. By joining you will be connecting with other writers who can give you insight and critiques. Try to find a group that sponsors a writers conference. By entering your work in a conference you will have the chance to speak to agents, editors, and publishers. And if your work wins then you have something they will definitely want to look at. Good Luck! from another struggling author.

Answer 8

It may be easier for you to get your material published on the 'web'...Search for sites which fit your particular genre.

Answer 9

Subnscribe to Writers Digest and take some writing classes. You have to learn not only how to write but how to market yourself.

Answer 10

try absolutewrite.com for articles, info and message boads about all genres of writing