Presented By: Abundant Press
Introduction •
You become a writer the moment you write something. But to become a published writer takes more than putting words on a page; it takes discipline, knowledge and a willingness to learn and work, as well as some luck.
Tips to Become a Published Writer • • • • • • •
Honing Your Skills Practice your craf Network with other writers Proofread your manuscript Choose a publishing market Publishing Your Work Accept Your Response
Honing Your SkillS •
The best thing you can do to improve your own writing is to read the writing of others. Focus on successful novels to try to glean tips and tidbits from the author’s writing style. What is it about the book you’re reading that makes it so deliciously interesting? What type of plot and characters intrigue you the most? What writing style does the general audience tend to gravitate towards.
Practice Your Craft •
Write regularly and ofen; the more you write, the better you will become. Although it is most helpful to actively work on the book or essay that you are hoping to get published, taking time in your day to write about anything will be beneficial. Keep a journal to write things in while you stand in line running errands or sitting on the bus.
Network with Other Writers •
Meeting published writers as well as fellow aspiring writers will provide you with support, encouragement and advice. Fellow writers may also introduce you to editors, publishers and agents and acquaint you with other helpful resources.
Proofread your Manuscript •
Although you could have sworn you didn’t make any spelling or grammatical errors in your first draf, it is almost guaranteed that doing a quick run through your manuscript will reveal a few basic errors. No matter how small the mistake, it is imperative that you correct all errors. To avoid embarrassment and a possible turn-down, proofread your manuscript heavily before sending it to be edited by someone else or to a publisher.
Choose a Publishing Market •
With a completed manuscript that has been wholly edited, it is time to find publishers to send it to. Before you can do that though, you must first select the publishing market that best suits your work. For example, visit the Horror Writers of America or the Romance Writers of America websites to see affiliated publishing agents.
PubliSHing Your Work •
This is the person who will help to build your reputation and give you an in in the publishing world. Ofen, many publishing houses won’t receive manuscripts from authors without an agent. Look into agents who work for authors in your genre or who work in your area. Obviously hiring the most successful agents will give you the best chance of getting published, but this costs much more money than hiring less successful agents.
Accept Your Response • Afer all your time waiting, you will eventually receive a response about your manuscript. If you are accepted and they want to publish your book, look into the financial side, getting a copyright for your story, and rights you retain as the publisher. If you are turned down, don’t take it personally. Books are refused for publishing on a regular basis for a wide variety of reasons other than poor plot; your publisher may already be publishing a similar book, isn’t into your style, or wants you to change some aspects of it.
• Abundant Press is publishing company which provides a supportive atmosphere for self published authors and indie publishers so that they can establish yourself as an expert.