How to be a published author by Leanne Dyck

I've been published a few times, and I'm working on being published a few more. Now I'll share everything I know about making that happen. Everything--or at least try to.

photo by ldyck

How to be a Published Author

1)There are two types of writers...

Writers who write for fun

Writers who write for profit

As you work to build a career in writing, don’t forget to keep writing fun.

2)What do writers who write for profit do?

-develop their craft

-build a readership

-study the publishing industry

-network with others in the publishing industry

3)There are two types of publishing

self-publishing (authors who publish themselves)

traditional publishing (authors who are published by a publishing house)

4)What are some of the benefits and challenges of self-publishing?

Benefits

You are in charge

You decide who will work with you on your book

(editor(s), book cover designer, printer, etc.)

You decide when the book will be published

Challenges

You’re in charge of financing

You’re in charge of marketing

Marketing is not solely a concern for the self-published. Traditionally published authors are expected to work in partnership with their publishing house to market their books.

Marketing101

5)What are some of the benefits and challenges of being published by a publishing house?

Benefits

-the publishing house pays you and everyone else that is involved with publishing your book

-you work with a team of professionals to publish and market your book

Challenges

-you must send your manuscript to a publishing house and wait for them to decide what they will do with it. They could accept it which is glorious. They could reject it which is painful.

6)How do you decide what publisher to contact?

-look on your bookshelf—what publisher do you read?

-visit your favourite bookstore—what books appeal to you the most?

-visit websites like publishers’ weekly

-read magazines like Quill and Quire: Canada’s magazine of book news and reviews

-network with others in the publishing industry by attending writing events like Word Vancouver

7)How do you know to whom to send your manuscript?

Visit the publisher’s website and read the submission page

8)Should you send the publisher a chapter-by-chapter outline or a synopsis? How many sample pages should you send?

Visit the publisher’s website and read the submission page.

 9)What is a cover letter?

A cover letter briefly describes

your manuscript (title, genre, word count, target reader)

and

you (hit the highlights)

10)What is a synopsis?

A synopsis is a summary of your manuscript. A tight focus should be kept on your main character. Show their growth during the story.

11)Keep careful records of where you sent your manuscript and when. I use a binder.

12) How long will you have to wait for a reply?

Visit the publisher’s website and read the submission page.

13)What can you do while you wait for a reply?

-network with others in the publishing industry

-study the publishing industry

-build a readership by, for example, participating in open-mic nights or building a blog

-develop your writing craft by taking a writing course or actively reading a good book

To be an active reader, write a book review of the books you enjoyed reading

-keep writing

-send other manuscripts to other publishers

-send the same manuscript to other publishers

Most publishers allow simultaneous submissions—and I highly recommend it.

This week...

I enjoyed listening to Tom Powers's interview with Henry Winkler this week.

On this Blog in December

Sunday, December 8

Do You Write Every Day? (short story)

Dreams help keep me motivated. This short story was inspired by one.

Sunday, December 15 

Playing the Cello (short story)

 The cello stands in the corner, waiting to sing her song. Who will help her sing it? This short story was inspired by a friend's relationship with her cello.

Sunday, December 22

Carry Me Home (children's story)

Mitten happily rests beside his brother in the girl's pocket, but then he falls...  It's cold... It's dark... Who will help Mitten get home?

Sunday, December 24

Alone for Christmas (short story)

During this time of joy, of merriment... When we gather with friends and family, it's important to remember those who are socially isolated. 

Sunday, December 29

Holiday Office Party (short story)

 Especially for spouses, Christmas parties can be challenging. What do you say to people you barely know but who may be important to your husband's career?

Why I keep writing by Leanne Dyck

The following was inspired by Alex Cavanaugh's article (link). 
Especially, '[T]hat time won't come if we think it's the end and we give up.'
and Vaughn Roycroft's article (link). 
Especially, 'One truth I have found to be unfailing is that I am inspired and heartened by my fellow writers.'

photo by Leanne Dyck

An author friend recently told me that she'd given up submitting to publishers because she'd realized having her work published was an unattainable goal. She said, "It's like a one-in-a-million chance. Why bother?"

That made me consider my own chances. Were they slim to none, and had Slim just left town? If she couldn't make it, what made me think that I could? 

"I'm no more talented than she is," I told myself. And the way she spoke, it sounded like she was a lot smarter.

The writing game felt like a big joke. I felt like a big joke. 

After all, I've been working hard for almost five years. I've sent out over 100 submissions. If something was going to happen, it would have happened by now. 

The universe is trying to tell me to give up, I told myself. Maybe I should listen.

I wallowed in self-pity for a while. I thought about jumping off this ride...

But... I... didn't.

Why didn't I?

Well... I realized writing is like breathing. Even if that big hand doesn't drop out of the sky and pick me up, I am still going to write. I have to.

Other people have faith that I will succeed. Some people are even counting on my success. 

"They can't all be wrong," I told myself. I can't let them down.

And so, I have to continue.

Writing fulfills me, like nothing else can. 

When I dream of my favourite place, I think of myself at my computer keyboard or on my balcony reading (and studying) a good book.

I. Am. A. Writer.

And so I move forward.

Instead of dwelling on rejection, I will focus on the journey. 

That publisher read my writing, and it wasn't for them. Where can I send my writing next? What new publishing house can I find? 

There is a thrill to combing through the Internet in search of a publisher. It's amazing what you can learn and what interesting people you can meet.

Other authors may obtain success before me. When that happens, I will celebrate their success. We are all in the same game. We live in abundance. There is more than enough for everyone.

When that happens, I will learn from their journey. How did they obtain success? What lessons can I learn from them?

Write. Submit. Revise. 

There's nothing better.

More...
The Rainbow Connection as sung by muppet, Kermit the Frog
'

Next Monday: Book review:  Sing A Worried Song by Canadian mystery author William Deverell

Sharing my author journey...

Be careful what you say to an author because you may just inspire them.
For example...

What It Takes To Be A Writer by Leanne Dyck

I subscribe to the Writers Unboxed blog. Usually I find an article that challenges, entertains, inspires or informs me. Case-in-point, What It Really Takes by Sarah Callender . In her article, Sarah Callender reflects on an article she read in the Poets and Writers magazine. Sarah writes, 'In this article, Perversity of Spirit, Rufi Thorpe describes a young student and the question he asks her, with palpable desperation, over a cup of coffee:  Do I have what it takes to be a writer?

As I read his earnest question, I recalled the intensity with which I...sought the answer to that same question.'

Callender continues by recounting memories of how she arrived at the answer to his question and she concludes by asking, 'Was there a point you realized you had what it took? What were the hurdles...that tried to thwart you? Whose gifts have encourage you to keep at it?'

My love for stories developed at a very early age. Despite my struggles with reading and spelling (I have dyslexia), this passion led me to write my own stories. Encouraged to continue to write by my family, my teachers, and my friends, I eventually self-published Maynely A Mystery—a mystery set on Mayne Island (my island home).

Months after I published, I recall being stopped in the post office parking lot by a man I knew—but not very well. 

"I'm not a reader," he told me. "But I read your book—quickly, without stopping."

I was deeply touched by his words and shortly after that made a commitment to continue to submit my writing to publishers until something happened. Well, things have happened, and I've continued to collect encouragement. And the biggest support—my husband goes to work every week so I can continue to write.

Our first snowfall of the year.

It arrived early Saturday morning and the light dusting is still here today.

Words fall like snow from my brain onto the page or screen. Sometimes I write blog posts, sometimes stories, but I always write. And I know as long as I keep writing something will happen. I. Know. It. Will. Right now, I live on faith.

Sharing my author journey...