What are a starting writers chances of being published?

Answer 1

I am making an assumption you are talking about a novel.

This is a tough one. There are even so many stories out there of SUCCESFULL writers just barley making it while trying to get started.

For example Stephen King was so frustrated with his first manuscript (Carrie) being rejected he thru it in the trash. His wife retrieved it and submitted it for him one last time and it was accepted. The rest is history!

Another story goes that Terry Davis’s book Vision Quest was submitted more than 50 times before approval! The book was later made into a major motion picture and is now a cult classic amongst many aspiring young athletes (it was just republished – again).

I am sad to say the answer I always see to this question is keep writing, keep submitting, never stop!

Norman Mailer was quested as saying writing in a close to child birth as a man can get…

Answer 2

the answer is in your question. If you're a 'starting' writer, than the chances are slim. To be a published writer, you need to become a 'good' writer. And that takes a lot of time and practice. You should be writing and reading as often as possible (every day if you can) and learn the craft. If you work at it, there's no reason why you CAN'T be published. But for now, just focus on writing and improving your abilities. The publishing part will come later.

And don't self-publish! Ignore the people that are telling you to do that. If you self-publish because regular publishers reject you or because you want to go the quick route, you're just going to end up creating a crappy book. There are enough crappy books out there. In most cases (i said most, not all) people self-publish because they can't write for sh*t.

If you're a good writer (or if you become a good writer) you WILL be published. And people will probably like what they read and start to notice you more. (It should be noted here that it's a lot easier to break into being a 'published' author if you start with short stories first, as there are a lot more places to submit your work for consideration. So that may be a good place to start. It's unlikely that you're going to write a great novel right out of the gate and get it published. Because that first novel will probably suck. Just the way it is. That's why you need time to improve and produce something people want to read.)

Answer 3

I think Stephen Coonts said it best..

Start out small. Get a article writen and published in a magazine.

Tom Clancy first got noticed by sending a article on MX missiles to a publisher.

His first book "Hunt for Red October" was submitted to the Naval Press at the Naval academy.

Sometimes you might not be able to get it by a huge publisher, but have to look for smaller people.

I am a writer of Science fiction and war.

I am working on a major children's novel, and two military ones.

Soon i'll have to get it copyrighted, get an agent.

An agent is really the first good step to take. they can help you find a publisher.

Answer 4

Hi there. The average for most writers is to have at least 12 publishers formally reject them before they either give up or persevere to hit the magic number of 13.

In my case, the first publisher that read my manuscript accepted it. Why? Apparently, they were looking for medieval fantasy books and I just happened to be the guy with the right story at the right time. It helped, of course, that the book had ALL the elements they were looking for--fast action, magic, mayhem and a whole lot of characters.

So, the moral of this brief story is, you just never know in the book business. Your novel might hit a hot button and get a publisher's attention right away. Then again, it might not.

The thing is, if you sit in the stands and never try to get into the game, you're guaranteed to remain a spectator. Spectators don't get paid much. Only those on the field get the applause and the paychecks.

Good luck!

Jon F. Baxley (Author, Editor, Ghostwriter and Proofreader)

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THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming fall '07)

My author blog: http://the-blackgloom-bounty.blogspot.com/

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Answer 5

If you want to make a living as a published writer, go for magazine article writing, non fiction is a less competitive field. Pitch ideas and submit articles. This will help your skills and connections while you are at it. Otherwise, if you are talking about creative writing: novels, poetry and short stories, it will not be easy. Write first because you love it, because you can't not write. and then, like the other guy said submit, submit, keep submitting, and don't take rejections too hard.

Answer 6

Depends on where you want to be published. You can publish your work- fiction, articles, poetry, photos- on the internet and get paid right now. In some cases, people will even help you to improve your work by offering comments and encouragement. There are also contests that will help get your work noticed. Everyone -- from professional authors to first-time writers, photographers to bloggers and beyond can do it.

Answer 7

The odds are quite slim for getting a commercial publisher to take on a new author. But don't be surprised or discouraged by rejections -- many now-famous authors were rejected by many publishers before they found one who accepted them. And keep on writing! You may also wish to consider self publishing. The Tarzan books were all first published that way, and a friend of mine has published children's books that way, eventually making a profit with them. A publisher like Lulu lets you order copies as needed, and it's up to you to sell them to bookstores, friends, eBay, etc. So -- keep writing and keep submitting. Here's the details on Lulu: www.lulu.com

Answer 8

Screw whatever your chances are meant to be. If you are good, and you never give up, someday you will be published. Someday. It might take years. It might not be until after you are dead. If you are a committed writer, and you keep persisting, one day it will work.
I've read a (mediocre) author say that persistence is even more important than talent. It's true. Believe in yourself, and keep going.

Answer 9

Slim. May I suggest that you read Lynn Flewelling's "A Complete Nobody's Guide to Query Letters"? It's floating around the internet. Just type the title into Yahoo search and several sites will have it. It's Very Helpful, I promise.

Answer 10

Cant be that hard...My 14 year old sister is a Published poem writer...She as a book coming out soon....