I’d Be Published, But … Part 2 by Mary DeMuth
L’d Be Published, but I haven’t submitted anything
myrtle said…
I’d be published, but…
1) I’m still practicing, establishing good writing habits and improving my technique.
2) Bottom line: I haven’t submitted anything yet.
Myrtle,
I’m heartened to hear you’re establishing good writing habits and improving. That’s certainly the first step in getting published, and it’s essential if you’d like to stay published and continually grow as a writer throughout your life. So, kudos to you.
However, and this is a big HOWEVER: there comes a time when you have to test the waters (to use a cliche). A good critique group will help you hone the craft. Writing books and classes and conferences will help too. But nothing is more indicative if you are ready for publication than taking the risk to submit. What will happen if you do?
1. You could get a blank, standardized rejection. If you get one, then you can finally call yourself a writer. I’ve had my share of them. A plethora, perhaps. It’s part of the journey. Don’t cry if you get one. See it as a notch on your belt toward publication.
2. You could get a personal rejection. These are gold. On one of my later queries (after sending in several and getting lots of standard rejections that started, “Dear Writing Professional, I regret to inform you . . . “) an editor wrote, “This won’t fit our needs, but please keep submitting.” I did. And eventually had some things published in that magazine.
3. You could get a “Please send me the manuscript” note. Hooray! Send it! See what happens. This will help you realize all that toiling over your writing has helped.
4. You could receive a “Thanks for your manuscript, but it doesn’t fit our editorial needs at this time.” If that happens, simply recycle the query, send it again, and see if you can sell the article elsewhere. One magazine’s no may be another’s yes.
5. You could get THE LETTER stating how brilliant you are (in no uncertain terms) and would you like them to PAY you for your story?!!
See all the possibilities! How will you ever know if you’re ready if you don’t try submitting? And how will you ever be published if you’re never published? How will you show publishing clips of your work if you’ve never been published?
Start small. Try regional magazines and newspapers. Build your portfolio and confidence all at once. What’s stopping you?
Mary DeMuth (www.marydemuth.com) loves to help readers and writers turn their trials into triumphs. A nonfiction and fiction writer, Mary has two novels and three parenting books on the shelves with three more novels and a memoir slated to release in the next year through Zondervan. Because she’s passionate about mentoring writers, she recently established The Writing Spa: www.thewritingspa.com
October 15th, 2008 at 00:58
I loved this Mary. I once was in an invitational golf competition. I was the team leader and responsible for our crazy Oct. outfits. I came up with black and white “excuse” shirts with black pants and a black bow tie. They were cute outfits and I still look at that shirt when I get rejections. There are a zillion excuses why we don’t do things. One good thing I learned about golf and any thing else I have tried is…practice, practice, practice. I have finally made it with small articles, etc. but still waiting for that proverbial pie in the sky novel! I hear a small voice waving across the air around me. It whispers, “It will come, it will come.” I feel encourage by you today friend.
Thanks.
Paulette
October 15th, 2008 at 19:59
Thanks for the post. Soooo much stuff to learn, huh?
I’ve got a question for you, if you’re taking them.
I’m unpubbed and unagented as of yet. I was at a conference last weekend and an editor said he wanted me to send more of my MS to him, but it had to go through an agent. I discussed with him that I didn’t have an agent yet. He said I could “drop his name” and that’d get me taken more seriously with agents so they could send him more.
Where’s that fit on your list of five? Have you ever come across such a situation? A second editor at that same conference asked me to send him 25 pages as well, I didn’t need an agent to do that.
Thanks:-)