Taking your body to market.Q A How can I get published? I'm starting the last chapter of my novel, which I have been writing for several years. I didn't have publishing in mind when I started writing, but now I want to make my book a reality. What steps do I take from here? V. Matthews Chicago Your first step is to find an agent. Pick up a copy of the 2006 Guide to Literary Agents (Writer's Digest Writer's Digest, established in 1920, is a United States magazine devoted to both beginning and established writers, offering interviews, market listings, calls for manuscripts, and how-to articles. Books; $24.99), or check your local library. Also, contact the Writer's Guild of America (www.wgaeast.org or www.wgawest.org) and the Association of Authors' Representatives Inc. (http://www.aar-online.org/mc/page. do), a nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. of independent literary and dramatic agents. In a brief cover letter, highlight anything that will make you stand out. For example, if you've written a murder mystery and you've worked as a police officer, your work experience might have helped bring greater realism to your writing. Include a one-page summary of your story, and enclose en·close also in·close tr.v. en·closed, en·clos·ing, en·clos·es 1. To surround on all sides; close in. 2. To fence in so as to prevent common use: enclosed the pasture. a self-addressed stamped envelope A self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE), or just stamped addressed envelope (SAE) in the UK, is often just that: an envelope with the sender's name and address on it, with affixed paid postage and mailed to a company or private individual. . Give agents two months to respond, then follow up with a note in the mail or with an e-mail. Repeat this process with each name on your list, and persevere per·se·vere intr.v. per·se·vered, per·se·ver·ing, per·se·veres To persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles or discouragement. until you secure an agent. If you're considering self-publishing, read The Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print, and Sell Your Own Book, 14th Edition by Dan Poynter (Para Publishing; $19.95). For more information, log on to www.writerswrite.com. Good luck! Mail your motivational questions to Pep Talk, BLACK ENTERPRISE, 130 Fifth Ave., New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , NY 10011, or send an e-mail to sykest@blackenterprise.com. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion