How to Be a Published Author
One of my short stories was published on a new site for fiction readers! You can check it out HERE!
In the midst of all the excitement, I was asked the same question multiple times this week by people who noticed this.
“How do you get what you wrote to be published?” I’m here to tell you it’s actually quite simple.
Two things: Research and Effort.
That is it when it comes to publishing stories or books these days. Sure, a few more detailed things can come in between there, but primarily it takes those two things. A study done by the New York Times a few years ago said that nearly 80% of people would love to write a book someday.
80 percent!
Nearly everyone has some sort of story they want to Give to the world. I’ve been within that 80 percent for 10 years. Some of you might have been in there even longer. But I’m here to tell you that you can do it NOW!
The world of Indie Publishing has been lit up over the past few years. It has taken huge credibility and is no longer considered to be a laughable source of professionalism. My proof, you ask?
First of all, of the major films to be released in the past year, two of them started out as indie books. One of them is the upcoming film “The Martian” directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. That right there proves that how it’s published doesn’t seem to matter as much as long as there’s a good story or information.
On top of that, I’ve talked to many different people who either work in the publishing industry, or have been authors. I asked them advice as to what’s the best way to get my work out there. And each one, told me the same thing.
Do. It. Yourself.
They said it’s the most efficient way to get your work out there, you’d have to market your own work the most even if you were traditionally published AND you don’t have to wait for others to tell you if you’re good enough. YOU ARE. Just as long as you put forth those two things.
Research and Effort.
So I’ve taken that approach and have been an Indie Author ever since. And it’s been awesome!
I’ve researched (and still am constantly) on how to better my reach for this field. I’ve put forth effort (every night before bed and my off-days) to go above and beyond what I need to make my work the best it can be. I’ve used editors. I’ve found the best ways to market. I’ve figured out how to continually make myself a better writer.
It’s led to me finding a few sites, like the one I was just published on (originsfiction.com) to have my work published by others as I still retain the rights. I found it by researching the internet and by sending out submissions to them.
It’s also led to to publish my books through various forms of indie publishing resources, like Amazon and CreateSpace.
If you’re interested in writing, if you wish to be published someday or if you have a story to Give, that’s all it takes. Research how, what, when and where to do it (using the internet, social media, kindle books, youtube, etc.) and put forth the effort.
You can become a published author.
That's right.
YOU.
Do the Research.
Give the effort.
And
YOU
CAN
DO IT.
— Marshall Coleman (@Marsh_Coleman) September 11, 2015
