how do I become a published author?

Question

i am a really talented writer and i am constantly being told to publish some of my stuff? i'm all for it, but how do i go about this?

Answer 1

First you should really start with an agent. You can do this on your own, but it takes a very long time.

After you get an agent, the agent should guide you to improve your work to a marketable level (just because it is already good, it does not mean that a publisher wants to print it word for word...this is where editing comes in.)

When you are searching for an agent, I would recommend checking out a web site called "editors and predators". This is a list of agents, how they are rated by their clients, whether they are being investigated by the Better Business Bureau, and if they have represented work that has earned royalties. This will save you a ton of heart ache and wasted money.

You should also consider reading magazines about writing like Writer's Digest, etc. They are available (free) at most libraries, so you could try one before you subscribe. You will find a lot of good info in there for both the beginning and seasoned writer.

You could just self-publish. There are a lot of very good Print-On-Demand (POD) companies. But many of these also make most of their money by you hiring them. You need to make your own money off the sales of your books, and that will require advertising. So if you decide to self-publish, also be prepared to spend some on advertising, distribution, etc. All in all, it is much easier to mass market any book if it is done through a publishing house.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Select a printing office. Make a contract that allows you to
work for a long term with minimum interactives. Keep your
autonomous life with other writing, say articles for encyclopedia
and ask for the general price. Say 3 dollars a book with costs
and profit going to the publishing agent. This works, then you
bargain sometime in the future with the publisher. Perhaps as
a guest tour lecturer, or an instructor, maybe a publishing ezine
the feature is to get a PEN NAME, let the publisher move the
name around, they have that resource. Stick with your choice.
This is the one you can announce when you speak. Look for
a startup cost of 200.00 dollars or less than 500.00.

Answer 3

Send stories or essays to the appropriate magazines. Writer's Market (purchase or check out from the library) will help you ID the magazines that might be interested in what you have written. There are other books at the library that tell you how to write a query letter to magazines. Keep good records on where and when you mailed a story.

Answer 4

With a heap of luck, talent, and prayers. Happy writing.