How to go about getting published - Writers Forum

BadLuckNovelist · 05-30-2005, 06:03 PM

Alright, I have a short story I want to get published, after I look it over and edit it again, so the word count could go up or down depending on how the editing and revision I do goes. Right now, it is of the Fantasy genre, it is only 1,313 words long, and I am unsure were it would fit in.

On one hand, it is not wrote for adult or older teen adiences. On the other, it has death and some gore and violence, so it isn't for children either.

After I finish it totally and am happy with it, I'm going to mail it to myself as a copy in case something happens and the date it was wrote is needed (in the case someone steals it..somehow and for some reason) before it is published.

Now, onto my original question. How would I go about getting it published, where would I possibly get it published, and is it even possible to be at that length?

Nickie · 05-31-2005, 07:54 AM

You might try and have your short story published in one or other magazine. That's a good way to get started.

But I'd advise that you check your spelling and grammar before you send out anything. The past participle of 'to write' is 'written'. Sorry, but I'm a teacher....

Nickie

Taxiday · 05-31-2005, 05:00 PM

Not yet being a "pro", here are my thoughts.
I think we all write because of creative juices and that we have something to say.
That's great but the hard part is trying to find the commercial outlet for what we've created. They may be right in front of your nose. What magazines/ books do you read? If you read online, where? How does your project compare to what you and/or your friends read? What is unique about your story that would make others want to read it?
I'm finding the hard part is not creating - that comes from within us. What's difficult is finding the right outlet for it. When I was a Slot Team player, I paid attention to the newspapers and magazines being sold or given out at the various casinos. I could then approach the appropriate editor with a proposal on something they routinely published. I sold a number of articles on slot machines and slot clubs. They didn't earn me a lot but it got me in print. That told me that I had the ability to relate things of interest to others and gave me the confidence that I could do so again.

Julianne · 05-31-2005, 05:41 PM

Quote:

I'm going to mail it to myself as a copy in case something happens and the date it was wrote is needed (in the case someone steals it..somehow and for some reason) before it is published.

This is also known as the "poor man's copyright" and unfortunately, it's worthless.

As for places to publish, try looking at the Novel and Short Story Writer's Market. That will have a lot of listings for publishers of short fantasy. After finding several markets that appear appropriate, be sure to read several issues of each publication to see if your story fits. Then submit away!

BadLuckNovelist · 05-31-2005, 05:55 PM

Thank you for the replies, and I will take them all into concideration.

With the mailing, I was told that by a woman that was actually an author herself. o_O I do believe she said it had to do with the date that it is stamped or something? Though I'm mostly doing it for my own ease anyway.

and..oh. Sorry about that mistake in my post. I spend more time editing my stories then I do with my forum posts though, which includes reading it over time and again, and using the computer spellcheck as an extra resource.

woodcut.evolution · 05-31-2005, 07:35 PM

Gah... Sorry to go off topic here but the whole rumor of the "poor man's copyright" bothers me. So many fallacies about copyright laws circulate on the net. It's easy to check these things people, visit www.copyright.gov for the US copyright office, everything is easy to find and understand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by www.copyright.gov

The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a “poor man’s copyright.” There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration.

EchoDove · 06-15-2005, 09:59 PM

Can you send a book to more than one publisher?

pgoroncy · 06-16-2005, 01:06 AM

Do you mean more than one at the same time?

mammamaia · 06-16-2005, 09:19 AM

you can send a query to more than one at the same time... but, once a publisher asks to see the ms [or sample chapters], you need to find out if they're ok with simultaneous submissions or not... most are not...

the main thing is, if a publisher wants to see the ms [or even just sample chapters], it means they're interested, and it would be foolish to put them off by not giving them time to decide whether they want to publish it or not...

if, by some miracle, more than one offers you a contract at the same time, you'd be in legal hot water as to who has first dibs... just check the guidelines for all you query, and that will tell you if simultaneous subs are ok or not... if it doesn't say, don't assume... ask...

hope this answers your question... love and hugs, maia

shadowseer · 06-16-2005, 04:22 PM

Try TeenInk. You can send it in through the internet. It's teenink.com.

John Bridge · 06-19-2005, 08:14 PM

Hi Bad Luck,

I think it's important to use reasonable grammar and to spell correctly even on Internet forums. If you know you are weak in this area, check everything thoroughly before you hit the launch button. You never know who's going to read what you write.

BadLuckNovelist · 06-20-2005, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Bridge

Hi Bad Luck,

I think it's important to use reasonable grammar and to spell correctly even on Internet forums. If you know you are weak in this area, check everything thoroughly before you hit the launch button. You never know who's going to read what you write.

Thank you for the advice. I do fix the mistakes that stand out to me, like when there is a typo or a major spelling mistake, before posting. I'll keep that in mind though.

I will also take a look at that site, and see if it looks like a place I'd like to send my work to.

Derek_Brown · 07-01-2005, 04:21 AM

However, the original was in another thread, so I feel my conscious will be clear.

Anyway, I've got an 85k sci-fi novel that I'd like to shop around. It was my original intention to try doing this myself, but what I've read here (yes, I'm looking at you Nickie) has made me rethink my strategy and defer to an agent instead. So, Derek, you may be asking, what did you have to ask us? I just wanted to know if it would be kosher to post my query letter here and ask if anyone has some tips on a writer's bio content. I never thought I'd have to write an autobiography and the prospect is somewhat frightening.

Like most, I try to ignore my shortfalls and don't want to shine the light on my own dark mirror. Could it be that I am needlessly afraid and they're just asking for something akin to a dating bio?

My humble apologies for the diatribe, if you feel you must assault me, please don’t hit me in the face (it’s how I makes my money.)

Be well,
Derek

ps. Badluck, before I post anything in a forum, or otherwise, I c/p it into something with an auto spellchecker (MS Word is my favorite.) Just my two bits, spend them as you see fit.

mammamaia · 07-01-2005, 08:32 AM

derek...
sure, there's no reason why you can't post your query letter draft here and get some input from members on its content...

i don't know what 'bio' you're referring to, but when querying agents or publishers, all you do is refer BRIEFLY to your background and writing experience IF it relates positively to the book/writing you're submitting... if you don't have any published work worth mentioning, don't claim to be a seasoned writer... but you don't have to say you're a wet-eared newbie, either...

so, if you haven't got really good stuff to say about yourself that's related to writing success and/or the work in question, just focus on the work you're marketing and let that speak for you...

if you don't want to post your letter publicly, i help lots of those i mentor with their queries and proposals and will be happy to lend a hand if you want... just drop me a note 'at home' if you do...

best of luck with your book...

love and hugs, maia
maia3maia@hotmail.com

Derek_Brown · 07-01-2005, 08:52 AM

It's not in my grand design to step on toes. Being the new kid on the block (not to be confused with the gender-bender band of the 80's) I'm utterly in the dark about the rules. The glaring reminder that I not beg for reviews in my subject made me wonder about etc. etc. etc.

Anyway, on to the show.

I am seeking publication of my 85,000-word science-fiction/adventure novel, Cold Running, the first in a planned series. The second in the progression, An Interesting Trap, is nearing completion along with the third, The Murder of JD. The fourth, Nerve Attenuation, is currently in Outline form.

Let’s face it, life is complex, eking out a meager existence is fine for the common populace. However, standing behind the polished faces of the 9 to 5 set, there lives a more resolute discipline of people who will go the extra mile and step on anyone’s toes to get a leg up on the competition in their eternal struggle to subjugate the Jones’s. Sometimes, they choose the wrong foot, and this is one such story.

Primarily centered on Chris Fuller, a.k.a. “The Shadow,” and set in the corporate dominated America of the future, our somewhat cravenly protagonist has spent his life finding the little holes in between network security then exploiting them to pay the bills. One day he is convinced by his childhood friend Darren that stealing some cutting edge technology from the Mafia would be a good idea and a splendid way to spend an afternoon. Using it to hack any data fortress they saw fit afterwards would put them on easy street for life. The Mafia, of course, is none too happy about the liberation of their hardware as they’d had similar designs for it and, to this end, pursues Chris along with his compatriots zealously. With the help of an incarnation of Death, his digitized ex-girlfriend and a Taoist drug dealer, Chris makes a desperate play at survival.

I hope this brief overview whets your appetite without giving too much away. I eagerly look forward to hearing from you, and possibly working together on this and future projects.