Posts tagged ‘publishing’
USING DUOTROPE TO FIND PUBLISHERS
My experience with Duotrope
I have been using Duotrope to find
publishers for quite some time now. The cost is $50 a year and is well worth
it.
They currently list 7581 publishers
for fiction, nonfiction, poetry and visual arts. The website also lists
literary agents which is something I will discuss in a future post.
What I would like to cover now is
how you go about starting a search and what are the factors I look for in the
information resulting from that search.
But first, when considering a
publisher, I feel, you need to be realistic in what you feel is the level of
your talent is when seeking a publisher. As in everything in life, there are
multiple levels of competence. And as you continue publishing your work to
expand your resume, you improve your skills with hard work and experience. This
will increase your level of competence as a writer and expand the number and
quality of publishers you will approach.
I use the website almost
exclusively for finding publishers of fiction. The type of fiction various
publishers are looking for includes flash fiction, short stories, novellas and
novels.
One word of caution when approaching a publisher. Especially a publisher of novels.
To get your work
accepted and published should not cost you anything especially for novels.
Editing, developing a cover and whatever else is involved in getting your novel
to market should not cost you a cent.
DUOTROPE: A GREAT WAY TO FIND PUBLISHERS
Before introducing a website, I usually warn you to be warry of unsolicited ads, which for me can be very annoying. Duotrope, after many years of use, has never caused this problem for me. So enjoy a extremely useful for writers worry free.
Duotrope
Duotrope.com
Excellent source for finding publishers for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and visual arts.
Also, for locating literary agents.
Currently, listing 7581 publishers.
WRITER’S FORUM
WEBSITES HELPFUL TO WRITERS
This is a series of posts which, I think, will be beneficial to writers.
But first, I would like to include my usual warning about using websites.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH.
Whenever you check a website you are, in my opinion and I talk from experience, being put on a list for sale. So, expect the possibility of being bombarded by ads from companies you, perhaps, have never heard of and have no interest in.
By the same token, I feel that once you call a business for information you are also put on a list, for sale, of similar companies to the one you have called.
That’s just how it is in today’s society.
I hope you find the information offered in these posts helpful.
Anyone familiar with my blog is aware of the area, Writer’s Forum, which already offers a host of websites important for writers.
Helping Writers Become Authors
HelpingWritersBecomeAuthors.com
Assists writers on the journey from manuscript ideas to published novel.
Covers subjects such as story structure and character development.
WRITER’S FORUM
WEB SITE HELPFUL TO WRITERS
This will be the first in a series of posts which, I think, will be beneficial to writers.
But first, I would like to include my usual warning about using websites.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH.
Whenever you check a website you are, in my opinion and I talk from experience, being put on a list for sale. So, expect the possibility of being bombarded by ads from companies you, perhaps, have never heard of and have no interest in.
By the same token, I feel that once you call a business for information you are also put on a list, for sale, of similar companies to the one you have called.
That’s just how it is in today’s society.
I hope you find the information offered in these posts helpful.
Anyone familiar with my blog is aware of the area, Writer’s Forum, which already offers a host of websites important for writers.
Career Authors
CareerAuthors.com
Blog by a group of six best-selling authors.
Helps writers improve their craft, business and becoming a published author.
Also provides prompts.
WRITER’S FORUM: HOW TO FORMATE A PICTURE BOOK
WRITER’S FORUM
HOW TO FORMAT A PICTURE BOOK FOR PUBLISHERS
The title says it all.
The information may be outdated, last post on Dec 9,2014, but there appears to be links to more current information.
It is free.
How to Format a Picture Book Manuscript for Publishers | Editing – Writing – Proofreading
WARNING
As I’m sure you know in our current society very little is free. When you use a site indicating that it is free your email address or telephone number is probably being added to a list which will be sold. So when using any website consider the value of the site to you and if it is worth the occasion annoying ad.
WRITER’S FORUM: MAUSCRIPT FORMATING-WRITING PICTURE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
WRITER’S FORUM
MANUSCRIPTE FORMATING – WRITING PICTURE BOOKS
FOR CHILDREN
The owner of this blog teaches creative writing for adults at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education in Boston.
Subjects covered by the blog include Types of Picture Books, Manuscript Formatting, Cover Letters and Agents.
Concerning agents, you are told what I have emphasized in the past. Never send money to any agent. If an agent asks for money they are not reputable.
The website is free.
Manuscript formatting – Writing Picture Books for Children
WARNING
As I’m sure you know in our current society very little is free. When you use a site indicating that it is free your email address or telephone number is probably being added to a list which will be sold. So when using any website consider the value of the site to you and if it is worth the occasion annoying ad.
WRITER’S FORUM: EXPLORING A NEW GENRE
WRITER’S FORUM
EXPLORING A NEW GENRE
For those who are familiar with my work, read some of my stories, this next series of posts will appear bewildering. For those not familiar with my work and stumbled upon this blog, I am principally a writer of horror and science fiction.
The direction of the next series of posts, Writer’s Form, will involve formatting children’s picture books.
Your eyes have not deceived you. I want to produce a picture book.
Sometime ago, quite to my surprise, I wrote a long poem entitled Dragon Eggs and I feel the poem can be broken up into pages for a children’s picture book. And as a requirement for most children’s books, it provides a lesson, and I am also hoping that the title with the word ‘Dragon’ in it will grab a young one’s interest.
So, for the next few posts you will journey, with me, in what is involved in producing a picture book.
WRITER’S FORUM: PREDITORS AND EDITORS
WRITER’S FORUM
PREDITORS AND EDITORS
Years ago, Predators and Editors was a website where a writer could check if editors, publishers and lawyer were safe to use. They have been going through a transition for some time now.
There appears to be good information for writers here, but not the type of information that was available in past. So, a word of caution. Use carefully.
Preditors and Editors – Writing Corner
WARNING
As I’m sure you know in our current society very little is free. When you use a site indicating that it is free your email address or telephone number is probably being added to a list which will be sold. So, when using any website consider the value of the site to you and if it is worth the occasion annoying ad.
WRITER’S FORUM: AGENTQUERY
WRITER’S FORUM
AGENT QUERY
AgentQuery provides a wealth of information about agents and publishers. Information is provided as to where to find agents, organize and track queries and look at agents’ data. Publishers’ info is also available.
If you do find an agent or publisher that fits your needs; do some research before you make any commitments. Using this website is free.
In future posts I will introduce you to the websites which can provide information on how reputable agents and publishers are. These sites include Duotrope for which information has already been posted. Other sites in upcoming posts which will also be helpful are Predators and Editors and also Absolute Water Cooler.
AgentQuery :: Find the Agent Who Will Find You a Publisher
WARNING
As I’m sure you know in our current society very little is free. When you use a site indicating that it is free your email address or telephone number is probably being added to a list which will be sold. So when using any website consider the value of the site to you and if it is worth the occasion annoying ad.
WRITER’S FORUM: LITERARY AGENTS
WRITER’S FORUM
LITERARY AGENTS
ASSOCIATION OF WRITER’S REPRESENTATIVES
For a writer there is no certain way which will enable you to find a valid publisher for your work. But there is one avenue which will help a great deal: Obtaining a literary agent.
The ability in obtaining a literary agent depends on the quality of your work. A reputable agent will not take you on as a client unless they feel that your work is publishable. The fact that you have an agent will gain you access to publishers you would otherwise not be able to approach. You see, an agent, a reputable agent, does not make a dime unless they can find a publisher for you. Of course, publishers know this so the fact that you have an agent tells them that perhaps they should take a look at your work.
The purpose of this post is to provide a word of caution and how to protect you from dishonest actors. Yes, as in all professions, there is a sleaze element.
A valid agent should not charge you anything to take you on as a client. Even if the agent appears to be honest, there is another scam. The agent will say they will take you on as a client, but your work needs editing. That’s when the money starts flowing out of your pocket. Run, don’t walk away from this agent.
I also want to mention that if you find a publisher for your book on your own you should not have to pay them anything to publish your work.
Back to literary agents.
There is a highly respected organization, Association of Writer’s Representatives, made up of reputable and honest literary agents. To become a member of this organization they must agree not to charge the writer and only earn their commission from the sale of your book. This database has a huge number of agents which can be searched according to the genre of your work.
And it is free.
USA Literary Agent Directory and Database 2023-24 – Free Access (literary-agents.com)
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