Flayed and Eaten

Short stories, poetry, etc. How helpful is this venue in actually getting your name out? I'm sure there are a lot of factors, such as distribution and such. In general though, other than self satisfaction, is it all that helpful to your career?

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*shuffles through stacks of papers*
....now where did I put that paragraph about the severed tongue....

Selorian

Although you may be lucky enough to get a novel picked up by a publisher with no prior publishing history, it's often unlikely.

There are numerous advantages to publishing in magazines. Just to name a few:

1. It gives you experience in dealing with the ins-and-outs of the industry and what to expect.
2. It helps you hone your writing skills to make your work as acceptable as it can possibly be for those you submit to.
3. It provides you with a track record of being able to write well enough for publication standards.
4. It allows you to make contacts within the publishing world--you never know just who you may be dealing with and who they know.

Based on these alone, I say yes, it is beneficial to you and your writing career.

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FrankBlissett

To the general public? Probably of limited importance, with notable exceptions for specific popular publications.

To publishers and fellow writers? It can be extremely helpful. Many popular novelists started this way, building up their resume for agents and publishers.

-Frank

mammamaia

ditto all of the above...

being a 'published [= paid] writer' immediately sets you apart from all the jillions of never-been-published ones whose submissions litter the agent's/editor's desk/floor/all other flat surfaces... yours will be given a much closer look... more quickly, as well...

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