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Cold truths about getting published

No Comments »2nd April, 2007; Category: Authors, Books, Writing Hints

So you’ve written a book.

Great!

Most people just talk about it. The easy part is over – well, writing a book is hard work, takes many months/years and tends to put one’s life on hold – and the family too. But in reality, the hardest hurdle is yet to come; getting it published.

Most first-time wannabe authors think the hard part is getting the words down on paper -or on the hard drive. What most people do not realise is that the hard road is still ahead. Publishers are business people and expect nothing less than a business like approach on the part of an author seeking publication.

Liz Strauss has written an article from the viewpoint of someone who knows the business from the publisher’s side: 12 Cold Truths about Publishing and the 2 Proofs Every Publisher wants. So if you are looking at getting your book published, this would be a good starting point.

The potential of blogging

2 Comments »1st April, 2007; Category: Blogging, Blogs

Have you ever considered the enormous potential of the internet and of blogging in particular? This relatively new form of publishing and communication is still very much in its infancy – it hasn’t even begun to realise its vast potential.

The Global Figures:

Here are the hard facts:

  • Estimated world population: just below 6.6 billion (as of March 10th 2007)
  • Estimated internet usage: 1.1 billion (or 16.9% penetration)
  • Estimated number of blogs: 60 million (+/- depending on who you read)

The Global Picture of Blogging:

Now consider the number of blog sites. Of those 60 million or so the vast majority are simply “dead”. By that I mean, the person started off with enthusiasm and posted a few entries and then lost interest for whatever reason. Then consider the number of serious bloggers who have multiple sites; for example, I have three sites (plus one on Blogger I no longer contribute to – it’s dead). This must mean that there are far fewer active blogs than the 60 million often quoted and even fewer serious bloggers.

Let’s be conservative and say there are 10 million serious bloggers – those whose blogs are active, meaning they post at least once every month. (I suspect the figure is far less but humour me).

If there are ten million serious bloggers, only 0.15% of the world’s population fall into this category.

Now if you are blogging and you post more frequently, say once a week you are very much in the minority. In reality, very few are seriously into this new publishing trend, especially those who blog daily. The potential for growth is staggering.

The Global Potential:

Now consider the potential readership. The global penetration of the internet is only 1.1 billion or 16.9% of the current world population. Now, there will never be universal access to the internet, not in our lifetimes anyway. But even if the penetration is only 50% of the world’s population, the huge potential for growth in the next decade is exciting. The big growth areas are in Asia and Africa.

If the world penetration of the internet triples over the next decade that would give over 3 billion users world wide. What a staggering growth potential for those who have already established blogs and web sites.

Reference:

Getting Noticed by Publishers

No Comments »31st March, 2007; Category: The Writer's Life, Writing Hints

Most writers want to be published.

That is a given. Of course, not all writing is for general publication; my personal journal may only ever be read by me (and possibly my children after I’ve departed this world). But the fact remains that most writers have a deep desire to be published, to have their words read and appreciated, to make some difference in this crazy world through their words and even make a little money from their writing.

The path to publication is a rocky, winding road strewn with pitfalls, deep valleys of despair and hidden disasters lurking around every corner. How can one get published then? And not go crazy?

Here are some suggestions which may work for you:

  1. Start a blog like this one and share your writing with the world.
  2. Read books or magazines about how to improve your writing.
  3. Read books or magazines about how to get published.
  4. Attend seminars, workshops and conferences for writers that will help your progress.
  5. Read web sites or blogs about writing – there is a wealth of information in the archives section of this blog – just go to the sidebar.

There is another way that I must admit that I haven’t tried. There are a few web sites being developed where you can submit your writing online for publishers to read. If they like what they see they will contact you and then publish your work.

One such site, based here in Australia, is called Writers Now Online. It is well worth checking it out; it may well be your path to getting published.

Writers now Online is a space for people who love writing in all categories: short stories, novels, scripts, poetry, love, politics, culture, religion, animals, travel, science. We are looking for passionate people, who want to express through their writing, feelings, dreams, ideas and visions.

Publish with us NOW and share your work with others!

Writers Now Online is a space also for publishers, who are looking for interesting stories everyday. Your story could be one of them. In that case: you get paid!

Writers now Online promotes your stories with publishing companies in Australia, United States of America and Europe through monthly newsletters.

Related articles:

Resolution #5: Nothing ventured

No Comments »30th March, 2007; Category: The Writer's Life, Writing Hints

How are you going with your writing New Year’s Resolutions? Have you forgotten all about them? Or are they deeply etched in your memory?

Nothing ventured, nothing gained should be the mantra of every writer on the planet. Those four little words speak volumes about the writing life.

Dawn Arkin

Write down those words in big letters and paste them above your computer, or on the front of your writing notebook. Memorise them, put them on a poster and stick them to the back of the toilet door, or on the fridge or anywhere you will be forced to see them often.

Why should you memorise these words from a well known proverbial saying and immortalised by Gilbert and Sullivan in one of their songs?

The risky business of being a writer

Being a writer is a risky business. You have no guarantee of your writing ever being accepted for publication. Then, if it is accepted, you have no assurance it will be read. As for getting paid for your words of wisdom – hah! It might be more profitable sticking your head in a bucket of water; at least you will cool down.

The truth is: many writers DO get published, many DO get read and many DO get paid and some even make a living from their words. Even for well established, well known and professional writers this is still a risky business. Even the really popular writers do not always get their writing published. As I said, it’s a risky business.

If you do not send your writing out to publishers there is no way you will get published or read. If you do not make that “venture” out into the publishing world there is no “gain”.

Remember: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

Go for it!

Take the risk.

And keep writing.

Resolution #4: I want to be published

No Comments »29th March, 2007; Category: The Writer's Life, Writing Hints

This is the fourth article in a series about the New Year’s Resolutions that many writers desire.

Some writers think being published is the only way to be a true writer. That without their work, and byline, printed in a magazine or book they are just a wannabe hack.

The reality is being published is a wonderful feeling. The first time you receive an acceptance letter you feel you can fly. But being published isn’t what makes a true writer. Honing your craft and continuing to improve your writing is what is going to get you published.

Dawn Arkin

How are you going in the publishing stakes? Not so good? Perhaps you are spending too much time trying to make that story or poem just perfect. Do the best you can, edit it carefully and check your spelling. Then send it off to a publisher. If you do not submit your work there is no way you can get published.

Write, edit, rewrite, edit some more, check and submit.

Then repeat this process with another story, poem, article or novel. And keep repeating it until you literally have a forest of paper out there knocking on the doors of publishers.

Disclosure: I need to stop writing on this blog and take some of my own advice. I need to submit some writing to publishers. Words without action will get me nowhere. Talk to you soon – after I’ve been to the Post Office.

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