My Mom’s pot of nasturtiums!
Merry meet all,
Today’s post is about more advice on getting your writing onto bookshelves in major retail stores across the country. Don’t we all wish it was so easy? I do.
The road to success in publication is hard. It was never intended to be easy. There is no such thing as overnight success. If this is the path that you -and me, want, then plan to be working very hard at it. Very hard. Grab a coffee and settle in. It is daunting and may seem impossible, but millions of other more established writers had to start somewhere, right? Right.
I just signed up for the Autocrit Novel90 Writing Challenge! A new horror novel idea is swimming like a (imagine scary fish) in your head. It won’t leave me alone. That is how I know that is what I should write. I have to write a novel in 90 days. I am up for thchallenge! This is one great way to get that novel written, by signing up for these challenges. The challenge forces you to write. I really want to write my new novel so this ensures it will be done!
- Do not use AI to help you write your novel or screenplay. Ever. Nope. Nil. Don’t do it. AI is a flashy siren song, sure, but these days, publishers, editors and literay agents can test your writing upon submission and automatically reject your submission/s. It won’t even get a chance, not even a tiny chance. If you want, you can even test your own writing for AI detection prior to submission. So you do still have to write it and edit it YOURSELF.
- Instead, do this. Once you have written your draft and taken some time from it, then looked at it with fresh eyes ( and that is all highly recommended, btw), enlist a trusted team of beta readers to help you where you may have overlooked theme, dialogue, plot or setting issues that need revision. I would never send out my writing without asking for a second or even third set of eyes on it. Beta read for them too. This is what I mean by building a support network of fellow writers. You can rally for each other when the going gets hard. And it will. But don’t give up!
- Branding. Build a brand for yourself. First, decide which genre you love to write in. Look at which authors you love to read, which movies you most love to watch or your favorite podcasts. Do they all have something in common? Do you like westerns with a smidge of sci-fi? Do you prefer gritty grim dark? Or do police procedurals, mysteries or thrillers catch your eye? My brand is Conjuror of Gothic Horror. Publishers, editors and readers all know what to expect from me. I love gothic stories and I love to read them. I love the movies The Woman in Black, The Conjuring, Alien, the Grimm series, the Stranger Things series, Practical Magic and my favourite all time podcast is Lights Out Podcast. Now you get an idea of the genre I write in and enjoy. That’s an example of branding.
- Read what other authors have written. I have an unquenchable thirst for the written word. I devoured Necrotek by Jonathan Maberry, The Relic by Tim Lebbon, My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones, and countless other books. If you want to be a writer, read. Read in your chosen genre so you can see how other authors have done it, and read everything you can. Read anything you can get your mitts on.
- Find and read or subscribe to magazines for writers such as Writers Digest. Take the courses they offer. I’ve been reading Writers Digest magazine since I could stand. I love their magazines. I get a new issue every time it comes out. I also read Rue Morgue, magazines about the paranormal. I have about fifty magazines on the paranormal. I read, read, read. It has helped improve my writing a thousand times over.
- Take writing courses or join a mentorship. Participate in writing conferences or conventions. Just don’t expect to automatically score a lit agent on a novel at the convention asap. But those writing programs and conventions are a great way to meet people, meet professionals in the industry and learn so much more. Keep an open mind, leave your writing – and ego – at home and enjoy the experience. Do bring a blank journal if you wish and scribble in notes, names or maybe any inspirations you dream up. Some courses offer monthly payment options if money is tight. You can learn a lot from those opportunities.
- Be patient. Develop a thick skin for rejection letters and have patience. Nothing in publishing is instant. It takes time to be able to be good enough to have your writing published and it takes even longer from book contract to actual publication. Be grateful for what you do get and be nice to fellow authors and editors. Learn from the professionals. Rejections are inevitable. It just means that your writing was not right for that market. I get them too. I keep sending out my writing. Eventually with effort and luck, you can find the right markets for your stories too.
- This next tip ties in with what I was saying above. If you choose the paranormal- this is just an example, learn everything you can about it. I have learned all about the different famous hauntings in the world, read lots of magazines, and listened to a ton of podcasts on that subject. It is as deep as it is wide.
- The best tip I can give you is: Don’t Quit. You are not doing yourself a favor. If you quit, you will never know if you could have been your best self. You will be replaced by thousands of other writers who will be more than happy to take your place. This field suffers no fools. If you quit, you will never get that contract. So sit your butt in the chair and type. No one sees you writing, no one sees you editing except for Fido your cat, no one sees you rip that rejection letter to shreds. I know. It is hard work and there will be days when you will want to quit, but DON’T! The way ahead is hard and paved with very litte reward, especially at first when you get started. You need to be deeply dedicated to your craft. Like I said earlier, agents and publishers get tons of submissions all the time. Very few succeed in the ways we all dream about. But I can tell you if you quit, you will never know what you are capable of achieving. Look at me, a teacher once told my mother I would never be able to read. Flash forward to the future. Here I am, with a publishing contract, about to have my novella republished, written a thousand + blog posts, and had lots of short stories, poems and nonfiction published. It can be done!
- YOu just have to put in the effort. Believe in yourself! Perseverance is more important than talent!
Blessed Be, Spiderwitch )O(
