My local RWA chapter had the first of three library panel talks this past Saturday, and I promised those folks I'd post the handout info on my blog since I didn't take enough with me. These are my recommended websites for authors:
Agent Nathan Bransford
Agent Kristin Nelson
Agent Jessica Faust
The archived posts at Miss Snark's blog
Editor Alan Rinzler
Preditors & Editors
Writer Beware
And a bonus:
Agent Nephele Tempest
Yesterday's post was short and sweet, and pointed you to Stephanie Feagan's blog about the "secret" to getting published. In my most recent issue of The Writer Magazine, they have an article by Phyllis A. Whitney (who turned 103 in September--you go, girl!) that is just excellent. (Ms. Whitney wrote the article 45 years ago, but it's still relevant.) I'd like to share a little of it with you here.
Ms. Whitney starts out by writing (and I'm paraphrasing): How do you think you're going to get the experience in what writing a book is all about if you don't first sit down and write a book? A sure way not to learn is to think you won't write unless you can write a perfect book that an editor will beg to publish. "How silly can you be?" (That's a direct quote. LOL)
But think about it. When you're on a job with an employer, you learn by doing. You make mistakes, some small, some big, and you brush yourself off and know not to do that again. So why wouldn't writing be the same way? You write, you learn. And sometimes you write scared. It's only natural to think "What if it's not any good?"
It might not be. You might have a lot to learn.
But it might be good enough to catch someone's attention. But you won't know until you write it.
So... start writing!
"A man in the house is worth two in the street." ~Mae West
People ask writers this question all the time. What's the secret to getting published?
There are a multitude of answers, because the truth is... there's no one thing. But I think Stephanie Feagan said it best here. Make sure you read down in the comments far enough to read JoAnn Ross's response. Good stuff there.
Happy Friday, everyone!
"A man in love is like a clipped coupon... it's time to cash in." ~Mae West
