The following article was written by Sharon Verbeten, the Youth Services Manager at the Manitowoc Public Library.
“Publication is not all it is cracked up to be. But writing is.”
Those words by American novelist, Anne Lamott, could not be truer. While writing is definitely its own reward, many people dream of getting published. And let me tell you—there’s no better feeling than seeing your name in print!
For me, publication has been my dream since I was in second grade, when I hand-created my own “newspaper”—complete with my byline!—for my Dad. I have had a fair measure of success in the ensuing years, but it wasn’t always easy.
Whether you have a novel, a memoir, or a children’s book in your head, how do you get it from idea to manuscript to publication? Join me for our Getting Published: Traditional vs. Self Publishing program, on Wednesday, January 21, at 6 PM, in Manitowoc Public Library’s Balkansky Community Room.
I’ve been an editor and freelance writer for more than 30 years; I’ve also written two books on collecting Barbies and have been published in hundreds of national trade and consumer magazines.
As a writer, I have honed my craft for decades. Here is what it has looked like
- brainstorming ideas (Sometimes writing them down on random receipts or scratching them out in the dark on a notepad by my bed)
- putting pen to paper (For me, low-tech is the best way to a first draft)
- shoving the manuscript in a drawer for a few weeks (No peeking allowed!)
- revisiting the first draft with fresh eyes (Did I really write that?)
- editing with abandon—cutting unnecessary words (Especially, like my favorite quote from Stephen King, “The road to hell is paved with adverbs.”)
- crafting an even better second draft (Yes, you can improve upon “perfection!”)
- exploring potential markets (Yup, there’s some research involved)
- creating a powerful query letter (Are we there yet?)
- proofreading…again…and again (Nobody’s perfect)
- sending out queries (It’s a digital world now, baby!)
- waiting for responses (Which may never come)
- waiting for rejections (Which may come)
- maintaining sanity—and hope—through it all
- refusing to give up
- doing it all over again.
Seem like a lot? It is, but even so, no matter how much time you invest in your craft, getting published is not an easy proposition, and there’s no silver bullet. If there were, I’d be as rich as Stephen King!
Despite the challenges, however, getting published, seeing your byline, and sharing your story with the world is a most rewarding experience. I’m here to help you navigate the complex world of traditional publishing, as well as the path many writers today take—self publishing or print-on-demand. Both routes have pros and cons, and we’ll discuss which path might be right for you and your work.
I’ll cover everything from crafting your manuscript and writing compelling query letters to assessing the market and approaching agents or publishers. I’ll also share the best resources to guide you on this journey.
Bring your questions—this topic always generates much interest and when you get a room full of writers together, magic is certain to happen!