Publishing Myths, Part 9: Everyone Has to Start Somewhere
Fresh when it gets here from
Julie Barrett
Thursday, October 29, 2009
(Update at the bottom.)
Yesterday I saw the phrase, "but we everyone has to start somewhere!"
on a forum post. I see that phrase used often in defense of bad or
clueless publishers. Let's take a closer look, shall we?
(Remember, this series is aimed at fiction authors. Nonfiction authors face a different set of rules and challenges.)
Yep, everyone has to start somewhere. Generally, it's when you first
turn on the laptop, dust off the typewriter, or put pen to paper. Read
Stephen King's On Writing. The biographical portion of the book
is essential reading for aspiring fiction authors. You'll discover that
King didn't just leap onto the fiction scene overnight. J.K. Rowling's
story of living on the dole and writing in coffee shops is familiar to
most of us. She suffered her share of rejections, too.
There's nothing wrong with being anxious for an acceptance. On the
other hand, it pays to do your homework and make sure you get started
right.
So how do you start? Opinions vary, and your approach may depend on
your genre. Your first step is to research paying markets in your
genre. Many writers suggest starting at the top, and I don't disagree
with that advice at all. Why not go for it? The only caveat I have is
that you do your homework and submit to the right markets. Read the guidelines carefully. You are not the exception to the rule.
Some works may be better suited for smaller publishers. However, they
may require a little extra scrutiny. Micro publishers come and go at an
alarming rate - and this is where you have take care. Check their track
record. Are they brand new? Have they been around for a while? Do they
get books in stores? Do they send out review copies? How much promotion
are you required to do? How is their editing and cover design? Check
their contract. What happens to the rights you signed away if they go
under? What rights to you sign away and for how long? What are you
getting in return for those rights?
You need to ask similar questions if you decide to go the epublishing
route. Instead of book stores, though, you have to ask how they get
books into the hands of readers.
Whether you go the printed or ebook approach depends on your genre and
your preference, but one of the first things you must check is how they
get books into the hands of readers. This, ultimately, is how you get
paid.
How about a few resources? Writer Beware is an excellent start. Also check out their blog.
This group has worked for a very long time under the auspices of the
SFWA, and recently the MWA has come on board with their support.
They've been instrumental in bringing some scammers to justice. You
don't have to be a member of either organization to get assistance,
which is one of the things I love about them. It's truly a selfless
endeavor for the writing and publishing community at large.
Preditors and Editors is another good resource. You'll find all sorts of useful information here. Be sure to read the rating criteria carefully.
Absolute Write's Bewares and Background Check
forum. Be sure to check out the index at the top. Again, read the
explanatory notes so you'll understand what the various colored links
mean. Of course, you'll see a lot of heated discussions about small
publishers and agent firms, but look beyond that. You'll also see some
very good information such as which publishers agents are accepting
what type of manuscripts (and who are open or closed to submissions)
and reports on turnaround times. A thread in that area isn't an instant
red flag, in other words.
Most of the above advice is more specific to novels. What about short stories? The SFWA has a good list of qualifying venues.* Here's a list from the MWA (their requirements for active membership
may also be helpful). The SFWA seems to be a little more friendly about
web publication. Obviously, there are plenty of non-qualifying venues
that are legitimate, but the lists are a good starting point. If you
are just getting started with shorts, you may want to get your feet wet
with some smaller publications and online magazines. Be sure to check
them out thoroughly and make sure they pay up. Hey, even if it's five
bucks, you don't want to get stiffed. The smaller venues may not count
as pro credits, but some have a very good reputation. Just be cautious
and know what you're signing away in return for that five bucks or so.
So yes, we all have to start somewhere, but we all need to take care that we at least start off on the right foot.
Filed under: Publishing Myths
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