How To Get Published

Proper Persistence for Writers – Or How Long Should I Keep Trying To Get Published?

April 6, 2013
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In emerging-writer discussions, I often hear versions of this question: How long do I keep trying if I’m not seeing any results in my pitches to agents or publishing houses? There are many ways to approach the answer. You can just buy into Winston Churchill’s advice to youngsters: “Never give in. Never give in. Never,…

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Simultaneous Submissions (Should I or Shouldn’t I?)

September 20, 2012
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I’ve often heard writers ask whether they should follow a “no simultaneous submissions” policies, as requested by some publishers. The question of multiple submissions, also call simultaneous submissions, is daunting to an emerging writer. Here is how the policy is often stated: Please do not send us work which is also being submitted elsewhere. We…

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Excellent Resource for Authors Looking at Self-Publishing

February 19, 2012
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I got a copy of this book recently, and I immediately found myself in the next several days recommending it to several authors who were considering self-publishing. The book is The Fine Print of Self-Publishing by Mark Levine. The brilliant thing about this practical volume (4th edition): it looks in considerable detail at key differences…

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Getting Published with a Small Indie Press – Finding the Right One

November 4, 2009
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[This is Part 4 in a 4-part series, based on an article of mine in The New Writer's Handbook 2007.] To this point, I’ve discussed pros and cons in getting published with a small press. Now . . . how to find the right match. GENERAL ADVICE Set realistic goals. Know why you want to…

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Getting Published with a Small Indie Press – The Negatives

October 18, 2009
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[This is Part 3 in a 4-part series, based on an article of mine in The New Writer's Handbook 2007.] Let’s look at things that can be real problems in getting a book published with a small independent presses. Minimal Advances Small often means just that when it comes to advances. The up-front money handed…

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Getting Published with a Small Indie Press – The Positives

October 16, 2009
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[This is Part 2 in a 4-part series, based on an article of mine in The New Writer's Handbook 2007.] Let’s look at things that good-quality, small independent presses do well for writers. Risk-Taking They often take risks on new or unconventional writers. They look for work with literary or social value, or useful to…

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Getting Published with a Small Indie Press – Is It Right for You?

October 15, 2009
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[This is Part 1 in a 4-part series, based on an article of mine in The New Writer's Handbook 2007.] Small presses offer opportunities for new or different authors. As we said in the ’60s: small is beautiful. Literary, adventurous, or tightly focused, small presses routinely take chances on new authors who have some thing…

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Can You Compete for an Agent’s or Editor’s Time?

June 23, 2009
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Aspiring authors often seem puzzled that their work isn’t read more carefully, or positively, or even at all, when they send their work out to an agent or an editor. Those would-be authors aren’t thinking enough about the competitive pressure on the gatekeepers’ time. Editors and agents have a lot of hot projects, and to…

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Four Reasons Not To Self-Publish a Novel

April 18, 2009
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Is self-publishing a short-cut to fame . . . or a short-circuit? Here’s a bit of tough love for novelists. I’ll give you four good reasons not to self-publish your novel. Instead, stick it in a drawer! Better things might happen to you if you do. First, I’m not a big fan of self-publishing as…

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Curb Appeal: Staging your Literary Work

January 23, 2009
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What is curb appeal? According to the real-estate business, curb appeal is what potential buyers see first when they drive up to your property that’s for sale. It “embraces everything between your front door and the street” (per the MyHomeIdeas site). That site goes on to note: “It doesn’t take much to make dramatic style…

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