You CAN be an Author

I am often asked how to do start a writing career. Although the answer sounds simple, it remains the same- you write. After you write you must decide what you will do with your masterpiece. Will you publish or lock it away in a safe place?  If your goal is to publish (and I hope that it is) you must decide the route. A writer can publish with a publishing house, self-publish, or publish with a small publisher. Let us look at each of these options closely.

Publishing Houses (traditional publishing)

Most writers that seek traditional publishing start by querying agents. Once you get an agent, he or she will shop your revised book to publishers. There are resources available on how to query agents and traditional publishing on the internet.

Self-Publishing

The emergence of Amazon’s Kindle Publishing allows authors to publish their work with a couple of clicks. If you select this method, you oversee your project from start to finish. If self-publishing sounds appealing, educate yourself on the process. There are hundreds of authors that make a living in self-publishing.

Small publishers

Between traditional publishing and self-publishing, I place small publishing. When you work with a small publisher you may only be required to submit a small portion of your work for review. If your work is selected by the publisher, you should receive a contract outlining your agreement. Small press publishing is the route I selected, and we will dive into small publishing this quarter.

Warnings

Education is key- Please educate yourself on every aspect of publishing and the method you select.

Consider the cost- Please research every company before you spend any money.

Ask an author – Please know that the writing community is here for you. I have learned about resources, processes, and services from other authors. If you have a specific question or need ask someone in the writing community.

If you have a publishing course or information please leave a link in the comments.

Do you have a specific question? Email me Authorshenell@gmail.com

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