You can always jump straight in and start sending your poetry, short stories, and novels out to various magazines or publishers. If you are going to do this make sure you check submission guidelines, be sure to include a stamped addressed envelope with correct return postage for snail mail submissions, and why not check out a few websites with tips for standard manuscript format. There are some some links that may assist you here: Links for Readers & Writers.
Be careful. There are some unscrupulous people who will take advantage of new writers. Some will falsely praise your writing and then offering to publish it in an anthology - which the author is then asked to purchase. Chances are, if you don't purchase a copy, you will never find your poetry in print (Poetry.com is notorious for this). The majority of legitimate publications reward contributors with a free copy of the publication in which their work appears.
I recommend checking out Preditors & editors for their warnings section. You can even try a search on any search engine using the keywords "writing" and "scams" - which will return hundreds, if not thousands, of sites on the topic.
Maybe you are not sure if your writing is good enough to be published? Why not join a writer's group (in the flesh or online), or take part in a workshop like Critters for SF, fantasy, horror stories; or join an online community like Poem Kingdom where members critique each others poetry and suggest improvements. There are plenty of helpful sites and groups for writers just finding their feet.
Once you start submitting your work don't be disheartened by rejections, use any helpful criticism to improve your writing and just keep submitting. Editors have different tastes, and maybe your piece was just not right for their publication. Try to read a sample copy of the issue if you can, but unless money is no object, I wouldn't buy a copy of every magazine you submit to. Often you can get a feel for the content of a publication from their website, but it is nice to support the small press if you are able.
Unless otherwise noted |
Site content & graphics © 2004 Celia Coulter |
Updated 8th Aug 2003 |