Writing
November 20th 2006 12:00
It doesn’t matter what you write, no matter what it is, from the crudest porn to the most precise encyclopaedia, there is a market for your writing.
Why can’t you get published? The number one reason is that publishers are in business to make money, pure and simple. Not as some believe, to publish books. They have to see the money in your book, no, I don’t mean you should stick a bribe in your manuscript, and never put it past the third page, they seldom read that far.
There are other reasons for not getting published. One is that your writing/story is crap. I’m sorry, but this is an honest assessment. Be aware that, while there are some who will never write beyond the level of crap, there is still a market for the work. You just have to find it.
On the other hand, your writing may be crap at this point in time, but, there is nothing stopping you from improving your skills, except your EGO. Listen to criticism, be prepared to be told the truth and act on it. Take a course on writing. Study the craft. If you are sure that everyone else is wrong you can self publish, or serialise your story in a blog. If it is as good as you think it will be noticed. If it is as bad as everyone told you, well, it will be noticed, but it is never to late to learn the craft.
Another reason for not having work published is marketing, are you sending your work to the right publisher. It pays to research publishers on the net. Look at the titles they publish. You may need to reassess the the category of your work. A romance set on another planet in the future might fair better pitched to a publisher who publishes science fiction or speculative fiction. A murder mystery set in the present may in fact do better as a romance. It may be that while you were concentrating on the mystery of the crime the love affair in the story is more interesting. Hey, it happens. Don’t be afraid to rewrite.
One more reason for not being published is sending your manuscript to a publisher the day you finish it. You may have finished writing it but it will be a long way from being finished. When you reach the end of your story, put it in the bottom drawer and don’t look at it again for a couple of months or more. When you do pull it out again and wipe the dust off, read it as though it is a new book, be critical, be ruthless, be honest. Fix your mistakes, correct the character’s flaws, rewrite the damn thing if it needs it. Then send it for assessment with an independent assessor.
When you get it back you must read it again as well as the assessors report. You can accept or reject the assessors judgement on any point, But be honest with yourself as to why you accept or reject each point.
Have I rained on your parade? Good, I hope it was a good downpour. Rain is what makes the best blooms.
Why can’t you get published? The number one reason is that publishers are in business to make money, pure and simple. Not as some believe, to publish books. They have to see the money in your book, no, I don’t mean you should stick a bribe in your manuscript, and never put it past the third page, they seldom read that far.
There are other reasons for not getting published. One is that your writing/story is crap. I’m sorry, but this is an honest assessment. Be aware that, while there are some who will never write beyond the level of crap, there is still a market for the work. You just have to find it.
On the other hand, your writing may be crap at this point in time, but, there is nothing stopping you from improving your skills, except your EGO. Listen to criticism, be prepared to be told the truth and act on it. Take a course on writing. Study the craft. If you are sure that everyone else is wrong you can self publish, or serialise your story in a blog. If it is as good as you think it will be noticed. If it is as bad as everyone told you, well, it will be noticed, but it is never to late to learn the craft.
Another reason for not having work published is marketing, are you sending your work to the right publisher. It pays to research publishers on the net. Look at the titles they publish. You may need to reassess the the category of your work. A romance set on another planet in the future might fair better pitched to a publisher who publishes science fiction or speculative fiction. A murder mystery set in the present may in fact do better as a romance. It may be that while you were concentrating on the mystery of the crime the love affair in the story is more interesting. Hey, it happens. Don’t be afraid to rewrite.
One more reason for not being published is sending your manuscript to a publisher the day you finish it. You may have finished writing it but it will be a long way from being finished. When you reach the end of your story, put it in the bottom drawer and don’t look at it again for a couple of months or more. When you do pull it out again and wipe the dust off, read it as though it is a new book, be critical, be ruthless, be honest. Fix your mistakes, correct the character’s flaws, rewrite the damn thing if it needs it. Then send it for assessment with an independent assessor.
When you get it back you must read it again as well as the assessors report. You can accept or reject the assessors judgement on any point, But be honest with yourself as to why you accept or reject each point.
Have I rained on your parade? Good, I hope it was a good downpour. Rain is what makes the best blooms.
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Comment by Lily
Ars Poetica
Very infomative and interesting piece you present here. I think EGO makes for a half baked cake. If i listen to my friends who say i should publish a book, then where does one start with poetry. I think it's different from a novel, the market being mainly poets. Do they shop for poetry books? or read a lot of it online, i think the latter.
~Lily
Comment by Bullamakanka
Hughie's Ziff
Bagman's Gazette
Have you published your work in any manner? Do you go to any open mike venues and read your work.
Perhaps a cd of selected work?
As you are in Melbourne I can send you a sample of poetry on cd. It really is not hard to do. Such a cd can be "published" through sites such as Lulu.com.
Do you have a snail mail address you would trust to a total stranger. You will get 1 Free cd. "Lovers Others" Written, produced and published by myself.
Comment by Lily
Ars Poetica
I haven't been published per se, but i have contributed regularly (4 years) to an online poetry community (very much focusing on interaction, encouragement and friendship). I haven't heard of the Melbourne Poets Union and I could never do spoken word; except among friends. Not for shyness sake, but there is much emotion in my poetry, and i would feel very vulnerable on stage, i think. Although i could probably record them privately, thus raising the question of recording equipment etc.
I'm at a stage where i'm looking at options; as a book (or CD?) of some of my 'favourite' poems and some that others like too, would be a great thing for my children; and perhaps a sense of accomplishment for me.
I'm still not sure if i'm good enough to join the ranks of Unions and such, but i do enjoy the traveling.
I will write to you via Orble message pigeon ...
~Lily
Comment by Bullamakanka
Hughie's Ziff
Bagman's Gazette
Melbourne Poets Union hold a poetry comp every year, they can be found at <http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mpuinc>.
I sent them 3 this year. winners announced on the 24th.
Doing readings is a great way yo get your poetry out there.
You have a computer so you have a recording studio. I did my CD as a project for my poetry class.
I did it using "Garage Band" which is supplied with Macs. All I had to buy was a good mic.
Comment by K.L. Almeroth
Motherhood
Hi George,
I loved this post! Really loved it....
Love the ending too....so true and poetic, and so you!!
Those one liners of yours are what really keep me going!!
K.L.
Comment by Bullamakanka
Hughie's Ziff
Bagman's Gazette
Welcome to my mad world. Thank you for reading my thoughts and the coment.
George
Comment by K.L. Almeroth
Motherhood
Hi George,
My pleasure!
Hope you don't mind, but I've mentioned you in my latest post...
I hope you're not shy...your name's in there!
Your mad pal,
K.L.
Comment by Bullamakanka
Hughie's Ziff
Bagman's Gazette
No worries, she'll be Jake.
George