Aspiring authors often ask: “How do I get published?” or “How did you get published?”
The best way for me to answer that is here by sharing information and links about writing craft and the publishing biz (from my experience).
But the business is changing and writers need to move with it. The indie / self-published author / author-publisher, and the hybrid author, are the new breed of writer and I’m so delighted the successful release of House of Wishes–my 6th published novel–has added a different bow to my already-extensive industry experience.
Look what I’ve done.
With four novels traditionally published (with Simon & Schuster), a fifth (with Head of Zeus, UK, available worldwide in all formats, and now with Wild Myrtle Press set up and House of Wishes published by yours truly, I have a more balanced perspective of the process and loads of advice to help other writers through the highs and the woes!!
I’m back to blogging, too, because Facebook is annoying me. I’m spending hours sharing insights and information to aspiring writers, only to have Facebook’s algorithm decide which of my friends and followers see it.
Well, not any more. I’ll switch to blogging and adding links to ‘stuff’ in my newsletters. Interesting, good-to-know stuff, like my Chapter Critique offer and Manuscript Assessment Service (including my Stay Connected offer).
2020 will be another huge year for my newsletter subscribers, with lots to learn, books to win, travels to follow and authors to meet. (If you’re keen to join, there’s a SUBSCRIBE box (top left) for my ‘Odd and Newsy Newsletter.)
If you have a novel you are busting to publish, see how I can help.
Needing inspiration?
In 2016 I joined forces with 23 other authors who had ‘made it’ and we contributed to an anthology. Titled Writing the Dream, the book shares the stories of twenty-four Australian writers, from emerging to established — some are traditionally published, while others have taken the self-publishing route. Some have faced rejection after rejection, while others have had a dream path. The publishing biz might be changing, the desire to be publish will never change.
About the book (which is available via Serenity Press in print and digital formats)
Writing the Dream shares the stories of twenty-four Australian writers, from emerging to established authors. Some are traditionally published, while others have taken the self-publishing route. Some have faced rejection after rejection, while others have had a dream path. But, while their writing journeys are different, all of them strive to create, entertain, inspire and inform. And all of them have unique and creative voices that deserve to be heard.
With contributors including Anna Jacobs, Juliet Marillier, Natasha Lester, Jenn J McLeod, and a host other talented writers, the stories in Writing the Dream are set to strike an inspirational chord in every hopeful writer’s heart.
Bits and Blogs
Below you will find a few blog links from my archives, written during my own journey. The contents may encourage and entertain the writer in you. 🙂
Other links** may be external sources – sage advice and something to ponder during a period of procrasti-learning. (Procrasti-learning = what I am doing when fluffing around on the internet rather than writing!)
Top tips:
The first thing I tell authors is this…
Writing for publication is not the same as writing for pleasure. Being a published author turns a hobby on its head, frustrates the family, and tests your patience.
Then I tell them this…
- It’s never too early to start thinking like a published author.
- Develop a head for business and learn to plan – sometimes the marketing, accounting and time management parts of this gig are more small business operator than writer.
- Give those closest to you the opportunity to share your journey. Don’t assume they know what you do at your computer. Don’t assume they don’t want to understand. With involvement comes support – and you will need that in bucket-loads.
- Don’t do it for the money. Harry Potter and Fifty Shades are not the norm. Some Australian writers might make a living from writing, but it’s a hard slog for most.
And this…
1. Know your genre: The publishing business runs on categorising books (in the same way a library does). Which shelf will your book sit on? Pick one!
2. Read books in the genre you write: Find one that really works for you. If it hooked you ask yourself “why?”; what did the author do you liked? I call this process “deconstructing a novel”. Fran Cusworth’s Hopetoun Wives was my ‘light bulb moment’: three opening chapters, three characters – each one packing a suitcase and heading to a small town, each with their own reasons for wanting to go (or not). This structure influenced the opening chapters of my Simmering Season.
3. Just write: Don’t aim for perfection with your first, or even second draft. Get your story down. I found the faster I wrote (less editing) the more my ‘voice’ came through. Your voice as an author is important. Spend too much time every day reworking or editing the previous day’s writing and you run the risk of thinking this like: you can’t write, you’ll never finish, or this is all too hard.) So just write. (See my blog post below ‘When Writers Race’.)
4. Get online, network and build a profile: Yes, some authors will break through without a brand or without ever stepping foot into Facebook, etc. By the time I was submitting my manuscripts, I had created an author platform and I had a good Facebook following. Engaging with readers is a big part of the business these days. Readers and publisher both expect their authors to help build their profile. You can choose to not do anything, but imagine this…
A publisher has two manuscripts under consideration. Both excellent. Both what they are looking for. One author has no online presence, while the other author has a website and is active on social media. Which one will the publisher choose? I had no idea about online anything when I started out. I made myself a Linkedin, blogging, tweeting Facebooking fifty year old by having a go. It helped.
Finally…
Keep writing and just as your plot should always be moving forward, so too should you, a s a writer. Baby steps are fine. Just keep moving: seek out opportunities by joining a writers group (local or online), attend writers/readers conferences and festivals, get on Facebook–look, listen, learn and don’t be afraid to join in the conversations. You’ll be surprised how generous and supportive people in this business really are.
From my blog archives, right here on this website…
How to write a book submission (with a sample of my actual House for all Seasons query letter to my (now) agent!)
Don’t Botox Your Book: Sometimes less is more.
Big Hook. Big Fish: How to write (or how to catch a really big fish!)
Shhh!: Silent research.
Slush Piles: A Christmas Story!
It’s a fetish of mine: (and a good tip for you).
Bye, Bye, Baby. Baby goodbye: Learning to let go (or how to not be a control freak!)
Will I Be A Human Flycatcher?: Attend a writers’ conference at least once.
When Writers Race: A Novel in 30 Days. NANOWRIMO
External sources…
** 23 Tips for new and emerging writers. (This is gold!)