C.H. Admirand
NEVER GIVE UP! Seriously, you never know just how close you are to "receiving the call," or now-a-days "receiving the email."
Don't let nay-sayers talk you out of finishing that first book or digging deep for the courage to submit that first baby for publication.
Do your homework and research which publishers are currently looking for the genre you are writing. Make sure that you have gone over your ms with a fine-toothed comb--and then go over it again! If you don't have a critique group, find someone who will read your ms for you. You'd be surprised what typos and/or punctuation you may have missed that should be corrected before submitting. Don't give an editor a reason to reject you. Let your ms shine :)
If you are self-publishing, I'd recommend hiring a professional editor and/or proofreader, cover designer, and if you don't have the knack for it, someone to format your book. Don't give readers a reason to put your book down, let your book shine :)
Join a writer's group. I've been a member of RWA for 20 years and NINC for 7 years, and have belonged to numerous local chapters over the years. There are groups for all genres. An important thing to remember is to give back to those organizations. I've served as the NJRW Treasurer for 2 years, Assistant Conference Chair, Pan Liaison (twice), Golden Leaf Contest Coordinator, Book Fair Chair, and Editor/Agent Chair, and have volunteered at various writer's conferences over the years.
Be sure to listen to your gut and write the story that only you can tell. Your head might tell you it'll never sell, but your heart will agree with your gut and once that happens, your head will give in and your story will be amazing! And while you're waiting for that story to sell, get busy writing the next one!
Good luck!!!
Don't let nay-sayers talk you out of finishing that first book or digging deep for the courage to submit that first baby for publication.
Do your homework and research which publishers are currently looking for the genre you are writing. Make sure that you have gone over your ms with a fine-toothed comb--and then go over it again! If you don't have a critique group, find someone who will read your ms for you. You'd be surprised what typos and/or punctuation you may have missed that should be corrected before submitting. Don't give an editor a reason to reject you. Let your ms shine :)
If you are self-publishing, I'd recommend hiring a professional editor and/or proofreader, cover designer, and if you don't have the knack for it, someone to format your book. Don't give readers a reason to put your book down, let your book shine :)
Join a writer's group. I've been a member of RWA for 20 years and NINC for 7 years, and have belonged to numerous local chapters over the years. There are groups for all genres. An important thing to remember is to give back to those organizations. I've served as the NJRW Treasurer for 2 years, Assistant Conference Chair, Pan Liaison (twice), Golden Leaf Contest Coordinator, Book Fair Chair, and Editor/Agent Chair, and have volunteered at various writer's conferences over the years.
Be sure to listen to your gut and write the story that only you can tell. Your head might tell you it'll never sell, but your heart will agree with your gut and once that happens, your head will give in and your story will be amazing! And while you're waiting for that story to sell, get busy writing the next one!
Good luck!!!
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