W. Terry Whalin
Aspiring writers need to:
1. learn all they can about the details of how publishing works. You want to learn from experienced writers--not people who have published one or two books but people who have published many books. Read how-to books such as Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams (http://JumpstartDreams.com). Also read blogs like The Writing Life (http://TheWritingLife.ws) and take free teleseminars like (http://AskAboutProposals.com).
2. Actively work at being published in print magazines. So many people want to publish books which is fine but thousands or even millions of people will read your magazine articles. Writing for magazines will establish your credibility with book editors and literary agents because you have a track record of being published. Magazine articles are shorter than books and you learn a great deal about how to reach a target audience, how to tell a good story, how to have a beginning, middle and end and much more. You can see my perspective on how to get started (based on the fact that I've written for more than 50 magazines) at: http://www.right-writing.com/basics.html
3. Get to a writers conference. The sooner you can attend one of these events, the better--whether local or national. You can learn more at: http://www.right-writing.com/conferen...
4. Keep growing and persist in following your publishing dreams. Too many authors try once or twice, get rejected and give up. It's a shame. You have to be persistent in this business.
5. If I can help you, don't hesitate to reach out to me. My email is in my twitter profile and many other places online.
1. learn all they can about the details of how publishing works. You want to learn from experienced writers--not people who have published one or two books but people who have published many books. Read how-to books such as Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams (http://JumpstartDreams.com). Also read blogs like The Writing Life (http://TheWritingLife.ws) and take free teleseminars like (http://AskAboutProposals.com).
2. Actively work at being published in print magazines. So many people want to publish books which is fine but thousands or even millions of people will read your magazine articles. Writing for magazines will establish your credibility with book editors and literary agents because you have a track record of being published. Magazine articles are shorter than books and you learn a great deal about how to reach a target audience, how to tell a good story, how to have a beginning, middle and end and much more. You can see my perspective on how to get started (based on the fact that I've written for more than 50 magazines) at: http://www.right-writing.com/basics.html
3. Get to a writers conference. The sooner you can attend one of these events, the better--whether local or national. You can learn more at: http://www.right-writing.com/conferen...
4. Keep growing and persist in following your publishing dreams. Too many authors try once or twice, get rejected and give up. It's a shame. You have to be persistent in this business.
5. If I can help you, don't hesitate to reach out to me. My email is in my twitter profile and many other places online.
More Answered Questions
Kat
asked
W. Terry Whalin:
I have a book that is the actual journal of when my newborn son died, and the 3 yrs following. An experienced author told me it needs to be published but I simply cannot do the cover letter. Do you have any ideas if this book is worth pursuing and can I find help in writing the cover letter?
Stephen Hiemstra
asked
W. Terry Whalin:
Terry: I notice that you are involved in publishing. In the summer, I self-published my first paperback, A Christian Guide to Spirituality, and this past weekend published a Kindle Edition. I had thought to team up with a publisher to come out a hardcover edition , I have puzzled over whether this collaboration would be interesting to a publisher. What advice can you offer me? Stephen
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Apr 13, 2017 03:28PM · flag