I'm writing a teen fiction book right now. I'm completly done with it. But what do I do once I'm done to get it published?

Have it edited. Edit it again. Have someone else edit it. Then edit it again. Then find an agent or submit it to publishing houses on your own. (You're better off with an agent though.) Beware of scams though. If an agent charges you, then there's a problem.

how do you get an agent though?

You can find lists of agents at sites like Preditors and Editors: http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubag...

You should also read books about how to query agents or looks for agents' blogs and see what they're looking for.

I'd recommend you keep writing too. The search for agent and/or publisher can take forever, and if you're not still writing and enjoying it you might find it hard to motivate yourself. (Of course, I'm writing from the point of view of still wandering my way through forever.)

Meghan wrote: "I'm writing a teen fiction book right now. I'm completly done with it. But what do I do once I'm done to get it published?"

Meghan--You know your target audience, but do you know your target publisher? Will you go for the top--the NY pubs--then you need an agent, and I will say, this is the tough part. Small presses (eBooks which will also go to print) do not require, nor do they want, agents--they deal directly with the author.Something to think about. YA books are in demand now, so you have that and youth on your side. Good luck! Celia

This is really helpful. But would some agents and publishers try to take avantage of me because I'm only 15?

Meghan, I am going to be as gentle as I can here. You are not old enough to legally enter into a contract; under the law, you must be 18 years of age. Your parent or guardian would have to enter into the contract on your behalf. This law, which applies to *all* contracts, not just publishing, is to prevent exactly what you said: taking advantage of a minor.

Then would it be practly impossible to get published then before I turn 18?

Meghan: To be honest, your writing probably suck. It's nothing personal, it's just that you're young and haven't had a chance to master the craft yet. I look back at my older writings and think "Did I actually write this crap?" yet when I wrote it I thought it was gold. It's all part of maturing as a writer. (Heck, even things I've written last year I think is crap sometimes.) Your best bet, is to keep writing and keep working on your craft and wait until you've mastered it.

Think of it this way, would you rather publish 400 crappy books or one bestseller?

Not unless you don't trust your parents to look after your interests in a contract negotiation. Or you need to become emancipated - which I don't recommend. LOL!

However, Harlequin Teen is just opening and they're looking for new talent. You might want to query them about your book and see what they say. I don't think they take only agented material. And they're going e, too.

Another thought is to do a website/blog and offer your book as a free read - in installments - and then use twitter to contact a bunch of agents - most of them have twitter feeds...you can drum up interest in your book prior to being published.

And hopefully, you're writing your next book NOW!!

The best way to learn to write is by writing.

Meghan wrote: "Then would it be practly impossible to get published then before I turn 18?"

I don't believe I said that; I believe I said that your parents would have to enter the contract on your behalf for legal reasons. However, it is *much* more difficult to become published under the age of 18. Your work has to be really brilliant (S.E. Hinton was 17 when she wrote "The Outsiders," for example).

The difficulty, honestly, comes from just what Ralph said in many ways; young people do not have much life experience to write about. It's hard to perfect your craft. When Ralph says he looks at things he wrote just last year, let alone at age 15 and is astonished at how bad they are? Trust me, he's not alone. When I went back to do the initial batch of edit for Draft 1.0 of my novel, I was *appalled* at how poorly written parts of it were. So, I did some tidying up and submitted my sample chapters to a paying small press who asked for my full manuscript. And guess what happened?

I got a *scathing* rejection letter with some very strong criticisms of my work. It really set me on my heels, to the point where it took a couple of *months* before I could say "Okay, there are some valid issues here," and go back and fix it *again.* I was lucky; the second submission (to a different house) was acquired. This was in the UK; I still don't have a US home for the book.

Lynn is right about writing the next book, too; I had a sequel in the works already. You also need to be able to present your author platform, because even major houses are not putting much into promotion these days.

This is not easy, Meghan. I won't blow smoke and tell you that your book is glorious and will be a classic on the level of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Lynn's thought of putting up a website/blog is great; you can post chapters of your writing on your Goodreads profile (did you know that) or over at Editor Unleashed (http://www.editorunleashed.com) for comment and criticism -- but you will need to have a thick skin, because chances are good that someone will tell you your baby is ugly, and in great detail. :-/

Dear Meghan:

I'm so glad to see that you write. There are so many folks your age these days who don't even read let alone write. I think it's great what you're doing.

And keep on with it. Don't even worry about publishing yet. Keep up the writing and read all you can get your hands on. Eventually you will get published. You have nothing but blue skies ahead of you and a long, exciting future. Oh, the things you will see, as the good Dr. said. Keep up the good work.

Thanks,
Sumner Wilson

Ralph wrote: "Meghan: To be honest, your writing probably suck. It's nothing personal, it's just that you're young and haven't had a chance to master the craft yet. I look back at my older writings and think "Di..."

Read that first sentence you wrote again and then tell me YOUR writing doesn't suck. LOL, just WOW.

For a group that is trying to he *helpful* that was the rudest comment I have seen.

Yes she is young, but that doesnt mean she sucks. Sure I am sure she could use LOTS of work but she may just have a TON of awesome ideas in her head to write about.

Give her advice, and stop telling her she sucks.

My advice so you is to NEVER ever quit on your dreams. If this is what you want to do keep writing. And when you are old enough you will have ALOT of writings to look back on and work with when you are trying to get published.

♥Tricia♥ wrote: "Ralph wrote: "Meghan: To be honest, your writing probably suck. It's nothing personal, it's just that you're young and haven't had a chance to master the craft yet. I look back at my older writings..."

Okay, Ralph was blunt. Yep, you're right. However, if someone wants to be a professional author they are going to have to get used to blunt criticism.

I refrain from getting out my "former newspaper editor" pen on-line for the most part because people do make typos. If you're going to dish out commentary on that matter, though, please consider that "a lot" is two words. ::ahem::

I absolutely encourage Meghan to continue writing, to work at her craft, etc. However, she is fighting an uphill battle with trying to be professionally published at age 15. How many high school freshmen do *you* know with publishing contracts.

::silence::

Yeah, I thought so.

I realize I'm sounding very blunt here myself. And you know what? I had to wake up and smell the coffee about my own work. I had to be objective enough to say to myself, "You know what? That *does* suck. I really need to fix that." I have been a professional writer (journalist) and editor, I am a published non-fiction author, and my first novel was released in the UK in June 2009. Guess what? Some things I write are not as good as others ... and some things suck so badly that I don't finish them.

The things I wrote at age 15? I'm grateful that they'll never see the light of day because they are mortifyingly bad.

It's vital to dream, but it's also important to keep yourself grounded in reality. I stand by my recommendation that Meghan post some of her sample chapters here on Goodreads or on Editor Unleashed -- and be prepared for honest critiques that will help her grow as an author.

I never claimed to write, he did. *ahem*..

And again this site, I thought, was here to help people. Not call them sucky.

You CAN give criticism without saying someone sucks... just by her age alone.

And yes I agree one needs to be able to accept criticism, but they do not need to be invited to a group that offers help just to be told she sucks.

The tough skin will come in time I am sure. And for the record *a lot* of you have given good advice. I just don't see, and never will, his first line as constructive.

Oh, adding this:
I have not researched young published writers. I am sure that would be difficult to do as they would have to be legally under the parents name. But I am sure its not unheard of. I am willing to bet anything that, while rare, they do exist.

I want to give a better reason why I came across the way I did, when I was about her age I wrote ALOT of stuff. I loved to write. I probably wasnt that good, but who knows I dont have my writings now to criticize..

That said, my mom found my writings and threw them away. She discouraged me in ways that made me stop writing and give up my dream. And I hate seeing that in any form or fashion (especially in a group such as this that is a *help* group)

And yes this is a bit different, but I joined this group with the preface that it was here to help and I am sorry but I think his first line was pure shitty.

I understand a lot of what your saying about how I'm young and don't have a lot of experince writing and how not many underage kids get published. But that is the exact reason why I want to get published. To prove people like Ralph wrong. Plus being my age and writing a teen fiction novel I feel actual gives me an avatage. I know what I would want to read and what my friends would too. That's what I'm writing about. My friend's dislike for perfect happy endings is how I came up with the ending of my book. My friends are my insperation for this so wouldn't people like them want to read it?

Yeah my writing my not be perfect, but who's is? Plus as long as I have a good story and I can write pretty descent with the help of friends and family reading and helping me edit my story it can become the best it can be. I can take a little critsim. I'm not scared to hear people dis my stroy. I know not everyone is going to like. I'm not writing a book to get everyone to love me. I'm writing it to inspire other young people to read and write and also inspire them with the plot I have. Also for the love of writing and proving people who think that there is no way a kid can write wrong.

A person's hardest critic is themselves. Ralph you probably think you stuff is krap, but it doesn't mean other people do.

Plus I think people wouldn't think my writing is totaly krap since I'm 15 and I have a book done. There not going to judge me against a bunch of adults because everyone will know I'm not going to be as good as them. I'm a 1/3 of their age.

Thanks for the help.

Meghan wrote: "I understand a lot of what your saying about how I'm young and don't have a lot of experince writing and how not many underage kids get published. But that is the exact reason why I want to get pub..."

Meghan, here's the blunt bottom line. Publishing is a *business.* They can't afford to say "Oh, don't let's judge her by the same standards we use for any adult author." All it takes is one or two dogs, and the acquisitions editor will be holding a pink slip. That means that you *do* have to prove that your writing is as good as any adult's.

Your grammar and spelling need to be up to snuff -- including homonyms. You need to make it as perfect as possible; there is no space for "my writing may not be perfect but who's is" [sic:]. It's beyond "critsim" [sic:].

I encourage you strongly to keep writing, make no mistake, but I can tell from your posts that you aren't quite ready for prime time. :-(

BTW, Tricia, you're incorrect that underage authors would be published under their parents' name; their parents have to sign the contract, but the work is still under the author's name. I can think of exactly *two,* BTW: the aforementioned S.E. Hinton and Ally Sheedy (she was 12 years old when her children's book, She Was Nice to Mice, was published). That's beyond rare.

Sharon, I know what you mean how my spelling and grammar aren't the best. But you're forgetting how I'm not really looking back at weither or not my post are perfect. I don't have all my friends and family reading this making show there is nothing wrong with it. I don't even have spell check on the internet, so those mistakes can be fixed in my story. Plus grammar and spelling aren't what makes a good story. The plot and the protral are what is important. And the story I'm writing is in 1st person in the mind of a 15 year old, so the grammar and spelling aren't as important. In my story I'm going to use sorta not sort of. I'm going to have sentences that start with And and Because. There are going to be words that older adults aren't totally going to get because there "slag" that teens use. Plus none of you have read my writing. So noe of you know if I write like a normal kid. I've been told many times that I am a subpurb writer. And I am able to portrae the minor details like they ar the upmost importance. And I really don't think any of the people here who are giving me advice would even what to read my story. Its about high school drama. I'm taking a story that has been told a couple of times and totally flipped.

Meghan wrote: "I understand a lot of what your saying about how I'm young and don't have a lot of experince writing and how not many underage kids get published. But that is the exact reason why I want to get pub..."

I'm not trying to be rude or discourage you from writing - I'm being blunt and honest. You do need to realize though, that it doesn't matter if you're 15 or 115, you're going to need to prove you're just as good as the adults. The book industry is suffering right now, a lot of companies have cut back on new authors and some have stopped accepting them outright. At this time, not many companies will take a chance on a new author so your novel needs to wow them. Remember that like Sharon said, publishing is first and foremost a business. Their goal is to make money and as much of it as they can. They won't say "Oh, she's young and it's her first time so lets give her a break." They're going to ask "How much money can we make off her?"

It needs to be grammatically sound, interesting and damned near perfect. You may think no one is perfect, but that doesn't mean you don't aim for it. You don't say "Oh no one else is perfect so why should I bother trying?" That's going to be the beginning of your downfall.

Again, don't worry about publishing. Worry about writing. People who write just to get publish, tend to write sucky - you should write just to write. One of the cheesiest saying, yet one of the truest that I've learned is to write from the heart. So keep practicing, and write for yourself, not to "prove people wrong."

Meghan wrote: "Sharon, I know what you mean how my spelling and grammar aren't the best. But you're forgetting how I'm not really looking back at weither or not my post are perfect. I don't have all my friends an..."

Meghan, read Ralph's new post. Worry about writing, not publishing. I stand by every single word I said, and the fact that you have a) taken umbrage at the slightest potential criticism and b) have not posted anything to give anyone the opportunity to give you a practical critique while protesting your brilliance all the while just further entrenches my position. :-(

I get I need to be as good as adults. But don't you think some of the companies might think that publishing a teen would actually be a good money maker? People are going to want to read my book to see if it's any good because of my age. That's going to get books off the shelf and people are going to buy it. And I do write for myself. But I figure since I'm writing, I might as well have goals and look into the other pusiblities.

Do look at all of their advice, they have given good advice for an aspiring writer like yourself.

Meghan wrote: " But don't you think some of the companies might think that publishing a teen would actually be a good money maker?

No. It is, in fact, an enormous risk that (for the fiscal reasons outlined by Ralph) is unlikely to be taken.

If your author platform is "People will buy it because I'm 15," I gently recommend that you rethink your marketing plan. :-(

You also have to remember that when you submit a manuscript, if there are tons of grammatical and spelling errors, they will probably turn you down due to the cost of having it edited. They already will have to edit to begin with, but add in extra spelling and grammar? Ouch. In this economy, it just won't cut it.

If you really want to try and get published, try and find an agent. If you are getting back no responses or form rejection letters rather than a personalized response then you really do know you need to work more on your writing.

Don't let it stop you from writing, the older you are the better you will get.

I'd definitely recommend going over it again with a fined toothed comb while you start your Agent search. And start working on your next writing project if you haven't already.

♥Tricia♥ wrote: "Do look at all of their advice, they have given good advice for an aspiring writer like yourself.
"

Thank you, Tricia.

BTW, I share with you the unpleasant experience of having my mother throw a bunch of my writing away when I was in my teens.

OK so I started this to figure out HOW to get published, not advice on how what to do. Thanks for it but a lot of it I already knewn. You probably all think I'm this ignorit little 15 year old that wrote a story one day and was decided she wanted to get published not knowing anything about publishing. I'm actually quit smart.

I knew it was competitive.

I knew that I will probably get regected a couple of times.

I knew I am at a disavantage because of my age. I knew I will probably get crtissed about thing in my story. But at least it will be by people who have read what I have wrote. Not an assumstion based on my age.

I knew it has to be practicly perfect with the grammar and spelling.

The truth is, I'm not even done writing it. I accidently didn't type not my first post.

I've had mulitply people read and reread what I have writen already. I'm constantly rereading what I've already wrote. I'm doing spell check every 5 secs. If I didn't think I could get published I wouldn't have though of it. I got into English honnors because of my writing. I do well on my writing pieces on the substance not on the grammar and spelling. I am a good writer and just needed to know how to get it out there. Not what to do to make it better.

But I sincerely do appresate the fact you are taking the time to try and help me. I just really don't need it.

Meghan wrote: "OK so I started this to figure out HOW to get published, not advice on how what to do. Thanks for it but a lot of it I already knewn. You probably all think I'm this ignorit little 15 year old that..."

*blinks* I haven't seen grammar that bad in a while... I can understand a couple typos, but I had to reread half of that like three times before I had any clue what you were saying... Are you sure you're in honors English...?

Maybe we should take it easy. There are many books that are not grammarically correct like Huckleberry Finn and maybe she is writing like a 15 year old girl should be writing.

Megan, you would do well to study this book. The Elements of Style. That book is considered the writer's bible and it is harsh on breezy style. Also don't self publish. Try to sell your first novel to small presses and continue on writing and reviewing other books to attract readers to your profile. I made a mistake self publishing my first book and am still not breaking even in term of profit.


Good luck with your first novel and be prepared to write for ten, twenty years, and be unknown and still write anyway. Real writers write to find out what they think, not for praises or money.

OK Ralph. This is a post. I don't care how bad my grammar and spelling is in these. I know I suck at both of these. Like I said before I'm not rereading these to make sure their grammticly correct. I don't have all my familiy and friends reading and telling me comments on what to do to make it better. My story and papers for school have both of these things happen.

Ralph last time I checked there is a lot more to English then spelling and Grammar. Not everyone can be good at anything. Spelling and grammar are my acillies heal. And you know what? I feel bad for you because you're to blind to understand that I'm not trying to be perfect on a stupid internt post! I 15 and have a life s oI'm typing quickly so I can get my point around. And you might want to try getting a life, because going on the interent and picking on a 15 year's grammtical flaws isn't one.

Meghan--You asked "how to get published--not advice on what to do." I sincerely want you to re-read your last long post with a critical eye. How to get published? You must learn to write first. You say you know how to write, when in fact, you probably know how to tell a story.Any good author considers the statement "you're a story-teller" a compliment, but having that one attribute does not make a writer. So, take a deep breath, start writing another story, and learn your grammar and punctuation. In essence, you will learn how to express yourself much better.
I taught highschoolers, and I said for many years that teenagers were the most interesting people I knew.Honestly. You seem like a wonderful, ambitious, confident young lady, and I wish you all the luck in the world. Believe me, it's a jungle out there. Celia

Thank you Celia. I have trouble sometimes figuring out what I'm going to say, but I think I am better at writing. I'm having at lot of friends and family read my stuff and make comments on how to make it better. Grammatical, spelling and writing wise. But thank you.

Meghan wrote: A grammatically disastrous screed that ended in "But I sincerely do appresate the fact you are taking the time to try and help me. I just really don't need it."

Meghan, are you familiar with the Irish author and playwright Oscar Wilde? I would like to share my favorite quote from his works:

I am no longer young enough to know everything.

You are going to look back at this exchange one of these days and be astonished at your arrogance. I guarantee it.

Take Celia's, and Ralph's, and everyone else's advice to heart. You have a lot to learn. People are offering you sound advice that you are dismissing because you think you know it all. You asked how to get your book published, and people are telling you: YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO WRITE BETTER JUST FOR STARTERS. (Perhaps if I shout, you will listen?)

Patrick mentioned "Huckleberry Finn" and some other novels that were written in a colloquial fashion. Well, before you can break the rules, you need to understand what they are. You keep protesting that "You don't know me" (not those exact words, but "you haven't read my book, so you don't know") like a guest on the Jerry Springer show. Well, I can tell you that from what you've shown us, it makes me doubtful that your book is as brilliant as you claim. :-( I'm sorry, but there it is.

A number of published authors have been given you advice that you have breezily dismissed as unworthy of your precious "I'm 15 and have a life" time. Dearie, I could be using this time to write on my second novel, a short story and a memoir, or to promote my current PUBLISHED books. Instead, I am trying to help *your* arrogant teenaged self. Perhaps you should consider *that* ...

I truely understand you are trying to help. And truely do appresate it. But I truely did know a lot of what you are telling me about being grammtically correct and stuff in my writting. I wasn't trying to sound like I knew everything about writing and stuff. I know the basics I things needed to get published. I've had read blogs and storys by other writers about how hard it was. And just by reading a good book you can tell that your writing has to be the best. I know my writing on this post isn't my finest. But that is because I'm not putting the time and effort in it. I'm just trying to deffend myself. I know I probably don't have to but I've always been that way. When someone gives me that is unnessecarly, like Ralph saying that I probably shouldn't be in English honnors based on reading a couple of post that I'm not trying to make perfect, I'm going to snap back and defend myself. But I'm not saying I'm going to tell off anyone that reads my story and gives me advice on how to fix it. I am taking in all you guys have saying. I wasn't even really able to get to sleep last night because I was thinking about it. That's why I did that one post. Having a bunch of you lash out at me just because of my age and the fact I'm not the greatest with grammar and spelling and not paying attention to it on a post makes me want to get published even more.

But if I'm coming off like I don't appresate you help I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to do that. I just get frustrated at times when people dout me. Plus its a lot hard to get out what you're trying to say in a post and get the right tone. If were having this conversation face to face you would relize I do really really appresate it. But I'm going to defend myself.

Bria wrote: If you are getting back no responses or form rejection letters rather than a personalized response then you really do know you need to work more on your writing.

An excellent point. I got a detailed and very personal rejection letter on my novel from the first publisher. Sure, some of it stung ... but there was a lot of information there that made my book better in the end.

Meghan wrote: "OK Ralph. This is a post. I don't care how bad my grammar and spelling is in these. I know I suck at both of these. Like I said before I'm not rereading these to make sure their grammticly correct...."

You really need to get over your arrogance, like Sharon said. You come in here asking for advice and when we give it to you, you ignore us and say "Oh I'm above all that."

Grammar and spelling may not be all English is, but it's a huge chunk of it. I really suggest going and learning the rules of grammar a little more. Patrick said in his post the Huckleberry Fin wasn't grammatically correct. While that may be true, that doesn't mean you just throw the rules of grammar out the window. A popular quote is "You have to learn the rules before you can break them."

And like Sharon, I've had things published. I'm currently working as a freelance writer so I do have a life. And maybe you should learn to accept criticism and listen to our advice instead of telling people with actual experience to "get a life."

Dear Meghan:

I realize you know everything already and don't need any new information. However, here is a link to a course on preparing your manuscript for publication. Perhaps if you have to pay for the advice you receive instead of getting it for free, you'll pay more attention.

http://www.writewellu.com/authorsmart/ma...

Meghan wrote: "I'm just trying to deffend myself. I know I probably don't have to but I've always been that way."

Then, dear, I suggest you unlearn that habit while you're young. When people are trying to help you (people who are taking time from their busy schedules to give you the benefit of their experience gratis), you airily dismiss them with a wave of your hand and then say you are merely "defending yourself"? What you're really doing is deluding yourself.

Unlike your parents, I am under no obligation to protect your self-esteem and tell you what a brilliant, precious, marvelous Special Snowflake(TM) you are. Neither is the publishing industry.

Here's my challenge to you, and I hope you take it. Go to the library and check out
The Outsiders. Read it. Then, in all seriousness, if you think your book is even a tenth that good? Come back and tell us *why.* I specifically challenge you to read this book because S.E. Hinton was 17 when she published it.

There was a most appropos quote in my Twitter feed today:

@AdviceToWriters: There is no substitute for craft. Art begins with craft, and there is no art until craft has been mastered. ANTHONY BURGESS

Dear Meghan
Go to www.protagonize.com this is a collaborative creative writing community. On this site you can discuss and refine your writing, style and technique
with thousands of other authors. You can post stories and see if they get voted to the top, i.e., a hot story and so on. Also, in the blog section there is a guest blog about the steps a young woman took to get published.

best,
kaycee jane

Sharon wrote: "Dear Meghan:

I realize you know everything already and don't need any new information. However, here is a link to a course on preparing your manuscript for publication. Perhaps if you have to pa..."

To everyone--I'm bowing out of this conversation. I've raised kids--and taught teenagers for 20 years--I should know better than to argue with a teenager--let alone try to give advice. We're not her peers--she's not ours.I appreciate her ambition and desire--but...oh, well. Celia

It is unfortunate that this came to arguing back and forth between her and the people trying to help her.

You guys aren't understanding that I truely do appresate you're advice. I'm sorry if I sound like Ithink I know everything. I'm not trying too. I wanted to know the steps in getting published. That was all. I apperate it a lot that you are taking the time to try and help me. It's just I'm going to defined myself if people are making assumtions after just reading post on here. I have always defined myself a lot of times it is when I don't need to. The problem is that you are not getting this tone when you read this. You are only getting the words. Words can have different meanings with the tone of the voice. That is the problem here. Not the fact you think I am not listening, because I am.

♥Tricia♥ wrote: "It is unfortunate that this came to arguing back and forth between her and the people trying to help her."

Like Celia, I'm done. I freely admit that I have lost patience with the child. There is a saying about pearls and swine, and I'm finished casting mine.

I *wish* I had had the opportunity to talk with published authors on the Internet when I was young and first learning my craft; there was no internet when I was in high school. There was no "spell check" or similar, either. You could either do it, or you couldn't.

::shrug:: I learned a lesson here myself. I won't be dispensing free advice to the next teen who comes along; there's no point in it.

Meghan,

"I've had mulitply people read and reread what I have writen already."

Okay, so you've had *multiple* people reading and rereading what you wrote. It doesn't matter who's reading it if you're letting the wrong people reread it. Giving it to your friends and getting a response like, "Oh, it was great" isn't going to help you at all. You need to target someone who's going to get a red pen and tear your writing apart until it's pretty close to good so you can revise it. Then after you revise it, you need to give someone else that red pen so they can pick through it all over again. This not only includes grammar and spelling, but plot, character development, and whatever else happens to come into the book.

"I'm constantly rereading what I've already wrote."

Well, that's great. However, the worst critic is yourself. When a writer rereads his or her work, they tend to fix what they want to fix, not what needs to be fixed. Thus, they can think it's absolutely perfect after editting it five times by themselves. On the contrary, a writer can also completely hate their work and scrap it wwithout letting the writing reach potential. That's not how editting works, and that's not how the authors on the New York bestsellers list did it.

"I'm doing spell check every 5 secs."

Awesome, you know how to click a button on word. Spell check does not get every little mistake. There are words that sounds the same like "to", "two", and "too". Spell check will not catch that mistake because they're all real words.

"If I didn't think I could get published I wouldn't have though of it."

All this tells us is that you think you're good enough to be published. The thing is, you need to be able to convince others that you're good enough. Using good grammar is a way to start. I also suggest that you don't put people down that are trying to help you. If you act that way with every rejection letter, you're definitely not going to get anywhere.

"I got into English honnors because of my writing."

The only thing this says is that your writing is good enough for Honors English for freshman year in high school. High school may prepare you for college and life, but it's not anything compared to what you're going to face in the publishing world. The publishing world is much harsher than your teacher.

"I do well on my writing pieces on the substance not on the grammar and spelling."

You're going to have to work on that if you want to be published. It's a huge part of it, and it's just as important as the "substance".

"I am a good writer and just needed to know how to get it out there. Not what to do to make it better."

Want to know how to get it out there? Fine.

Start looking for agents online--but DO NOT contact them through e-mail just yet. Look for the agents that deal with authors with the same genre as yours. Once you think you found an agent, write a query letter. To get the attention of the agent, you have to prove that your book is interesting and why. Include a paragraph synopsis of your story, but do not leave it like that. Establish your ethos. Additionally, this querey letter has to be damn near perfect. The agent will not take a second look at you if you don't "wow" them with something.

After you send out that letter, send a follow up e-mail about three days later. Do not be annoying and send one every day or the agent will probably disregard everything you send.

Wait for about two weeks. If you don't get a response of any kind, assume that they do not want to support your book.

Do this for however many agents you want. However, I strongly advise that you bring your parents into this, or wait until you have a better understanding of the publishing business.

Additionally, I really think you do need to be told how to do better. You need to be told if you think everyone in here is being too harsh, you're probably not going to survive in the publishing world. If you think I'm a bitch for pointing this out, then you're definitely not ready. Furthermore, if you think you don't need help, go to the "Acknowledgements" section of a book. You will find that it takes a lot of people to mold a book into something presentable, and it takes more than a one agent and one editor to make it damn good.

Writing is easy, Meghan, but writing well is hard as hell, both the process and the art itself. You need to be able to integrate style, language, and fluidity into what you write. That does not come naturally. Many people call it a "calling" as with other professions, but you need to be taught how to do it--and to be taught, you need to know how to accept criticism.

Denise
your post is extremly helpful. I can except criticism, I just sort of felt like I was being attack by some people because they made an assumsion based on my age and a few post I have put. Plus I felt like people were only reading half of what I wrote. Thanks a bunch!

Meghan,

You're welcome. Just remember that agents do tend to make the same assumption because of your age. Do not act defensive--it will only prove to them that you're too young.

Additonally, almost half of what I told you was posted before from others who have tried to help. Just becuase they *seem* to look down on you does not mean you should disregard what they have to say. Respect is key in not only the publshing world, but also in life.

I just didn't like how they told me that I sucked at spelling and grammar over and over again. Which I already knew, and is why I have so many people reading it.