Xx Kane xX

I'm just curious, because I just started writing seriously about five months ago. So far I've seen nothing but rejections. Is there a point when I've been writing for a while and not making any sales that I should say, "Hey, I suck?"

Erik Buchanan

A lot longer than 5 months, that's for sure.

I started writing when I was 8. I started writing seriously in high school but didn't have the nerve to send out any of my stuff until university. I published a study guide, a play, and a manual there, wrote other manuals in various jobs, wrote articles, wrote everything, and now I writearticles for a liveng. But my first actual sale was Small Magics.

So, from one perspective, it took me 25 years to get published. From another, I've been writing from money for about 10 years. From a third perspective, it was 5 years from finishing Small Magics to making the sale.

So, keep writing, keep studying the craft of writing (punctuation, grammar, editing, etc, etc.). Keep reading, both in your own genre or field and others, and keep living. Something will break, but it may take some time.

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Throughy

Xx Kane xX,

Your curiousity is infectious.

Erik, just curious, did you sense Small Magics would sell before it actually did?

Remember, there are the cases where the first novel sells. An example would be Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. So don't lead yourself into believing you must wait for prolonged periods for financial success.

Mike C

Of course, probably as many first get sold as not - assuming the writer gets published at all.

And don't kid yourself that publication equates to financial success.

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Non Serviam

From the moment I started writing with a view to publication to the moment a contract landed on my doorstep, it was about two years.

From the moment the contract landed on my doorstep to the moment an actual cheque from the publishers landed on my doorstep, it was at least another two years. I wanna say it was nearly three.

What MikeC says about publication not equating to financial success bears emphasising. For the investment of time I've put into my writing, I'd certainly have earned more stacking shelves.

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JohnN

It can take years........

The most important thing is to enjoy writing. Just love it, then it wont matter so much, however, you should still aim to get published.

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Xx Kane xX

I don't really care about the money, and actually I'm told it's not that great. I just want to get my stories out there.

Thanks for the advice.

Erik Buchanan

I knew I had written something worth selling. I had hoped to break into one of the bigger presses, but luck (and a lot if it is luck) was not with me.

There are cases with the first novel sells, and never let anyone discourage you from submitting your work in the hopes of selling something.

That said, don't plan on your work selling, either. One writer estimated that, to earn a living, his books needed to be selling 300 copies a day.

Get a job that pays your bills and gives you time to write until you become established. And keep submitting.

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Xx Kane xX

I suppose I should clarify. I didn't mean sale as in terms of money, I was referring to sale as the point when a magazine or publisher purchased the rights to print.

I'm really not all that interested in money, as I'm still in college right now and work a part time job. I just want to find an audience for my work, because I have these stories that I feel I really need to tell. Sounds trite, I know, but it's all I'm interested in at this point.

I will sell my work for free as long as it has a good shot at reaching a wide audience.

Erik Buchanan

Terminology may be the problem here. In this case, you're talking about having material printed in exchange for credit for the material (i.e. "I can't pay you but I'll make sure your name is on the story and send you a free copy of the magazine"). to me, it's not the same as having the material purchased, which means they gave you money for it.

It does not sound at all trite, and having your material printed for free is often the first step towards building your reputation. The key is to have it printed in places where they are selective about what they print, not places that will print anyone who happens to meet their deadline.

Now, I have not done much with short stories, so I don't know what to advise you in terms of rights to your material, but I do know you should make certain that, if you are printing stuff for free, the printer doesn't maintain exclusive rights to your material for an extended period of time.

Perhaps someone with more knowledge on that subject could pipe up here?

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wyf

Ive not been writing for very long, and i dont know what counts. I made pin money for a while writing 'true' readers letters for mens magazines, and ive had a few bits in ezines, but ive not been paid yet for proper writing.

Drezzal

Well i am a beginner writer and do not write for money (i do wish to be a published author one day though)

But i am pretty sure you do not just walk into a pile of cash right away. Most of the famous authors today have started as failures. J.K Rowling was an average mother struggling to pay the bills, Darren O' Shaughnessy (Darren Shan) was on the dole and failed at his first 2 books, they didn't sell. Just give it time and believe in yourself But do not rush it.

Cran

Yes ...
that point is about three minutes before they switch off the life support in your intensive care unit ...

in the meantime, do whatever it takes to make sure that you don't suck ...

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