BradW

And, by published, I mean through a real publisher and not through self-publishing or some vanity press.

For those who have, how did you go about getting published? Did you need an agent?

Erik Buchanan

I have. See my signature.

I didn't use an agent, though that is recommended. On the other hand, mine is published through a small press as opposed to one of the major publishers, who are much more difficult to reach without an agent.

There are lots of good books on the subject, lots of bad ones. Google it. The basics are: Write, submit, repeat.

Most writer take ten years of writing before getting their first novel published, if then. Use the time to build up a portfolio (articles, short stories, poetry, plays) of published work to look impressive to the publisher or agent, whichever you go after first.

Good luck.

__________________

RomanticRose

I have 9 romance novels in print under three different pseudonyms.
I submitted to carefully targeted agents first, with the submit, revise, repeat approach. Then I let my agent pitch it to publishers.

__________________

Sam Winchester

I didn't know that, Rose. Congrats. Why, though, under pseudonyms? I never got why authors do that. Okay, I know why some do it - to change their writing style or genre. If I go to buy a Tom Clancy book, I'm expecting violence, intrigue, murder, and some kind of highly mutated virus. If he wrote a horror novel without using a pseudonym and I wasn't aware and bought the book, I'd be kind of pissed. So that's one reason. I don't think that's your reason, though. Just curious.

Sorry for hijacking the thread, Brad.

Sam.

__________________

omginternetlord

Could you link to one/them?

RomanticRose

I write under pseudonyms because I want the first book I publish under my own name to be something with some depth -- something I can be proud to put my name on. I publish niche erotica under a different pseudonym for the same reason.

__________________

Sam Winchester

Hell, if you got accepted and published, I think that's something to be proud of. I guess, as an achievement, I wouldn't mind my name being printed on something "average". Okay, maybe I would, but, nonetheless, it would be a great achievement to be published.

Sam.

__________________

omginternetlord

Ah so you use "romance" in its broadest sense then. hehe

RomanticRose

The bodice rippers are classic romance -- boy meets girl, it's obvious to everyone but them they are made for each other, horrible insurmountable obstacles keep them apart, one or both experiences a massive change that makes them realize they can be together, cue the music, the fire in the fireplace flickers and dies.

The erotica is a different kettle of fish altogether.

__________________

RomanticRose

Sam,

I am tickled pick to be published; I'm even more tickled with ever check that comes in. I just don't want my non-genre novels to be connected to the bodice rippers

__________________

RebelGoddess

Congrats, everyone!!!

Rose: my first few short stories were published under a pseudonym.

That was at the very start of my writing "career" (haha). At the time, I found it more freeing because I felt that people I know wouldn't be able to ask me about it and critique them. I was a little shy, LOL.

Racheal

__________________
Writing is life.

Writers' block doesn't exist. It's actually called work avoidance procrastination.
-Jasper Fforde