... never mind, just troll through Ralan.com (http://www.ralan.com/m.publish.php). There are lots of smaller markets there, as well as the big ones.
Don't sit around waiting for somebody to issue a "call for manuscripts," you've just demonstrated that trying to write for a specific market doesn't work well for you. Research publishers and pick one that's been doing things similar (but not too similar!) to whatever you've written. And seriously, don't hesitate to aim for the top and then work your way down; what if you actually *succeed* at hitting the top of the mountain? There are actually quite a few major publishers in this market.
Even better, try to get an agent. Read agent blogs ... I follow Jennifer Jackson (arcaedia on LJ), and also the SF Writers' Association on LJ. There are tons of them out there. Read published writers' blogs, if they talk about the publishing business. My dinner is waiting or I'd say more on this.
But first, write something. Then rewrite it. Get somebody whose opinion you trust to be honest and helpful to critique it. Heck, if you're going to write something that's not romance or erotica (which I don't like), *I'll* read it.
Seconding the recommendation to try getting an agent. Some publishers just won't take unagented manuscripts. I read PubRants sometimes - not saying that this is the best option, but they have links to other people too, and it's a place to start. I also enjoy the (sf) author Tobias Buckell's blog. He talks about everything from worldbuilding to royalties (here's a post about sf/f novel advances and other data based on a survey he did), and links to various cool things.
That's about as far as my knowledge of the business side goes, unfortunately.
Assuming you're willing to trust my opinion, that is. ;-)
Anyway, I've been studying publishing from a would-be author's perspective for quite a few years and have stored up bags of advice on the subject, all against the time when I might actually finish something. I'll share it if you like.
*puzzled* Why would I not be willing to trust your opinion?
Anyway, I've been studying publishing from a would-be author's perspective for quite a few years and have stored up bags of advice on the subject, all against the time when I might actually finish something. I'll share it if you like.
*puzzled* Why would I not be willing to trust your opinion?
I deeply appreciate the vote of confidence! But, well, "knowing" someone mostly through online postings can be problematic - even risky. Although maybe that's my deep-seated paranoia about human contact talking (not to mention a couple of regrettable online experiences). Plus, not every writer/critiquer pair turns out to be a good fit, if you see what I mean. That's a risk, too. Did I mention paranoia? Yes, I see that I did.
That being said, while you're working on whatever it is you decide to write, I suggest you study the postings in Writer Beware (http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/) and the informational sections of Preditors & Editors (http://pred-ed.com/). These are full of important information and advice about agents and publishers - because the larger publishing world is, regrettably, full of scam artists and, for lack of a better word, fools of all kinds. This is not to scare you off, because there are tons of reputable people out there too; these resources just help separate the wheat from the chaff.
Upon reflection, I think I can actually sum up years' worth of reading writing/publishing advice in a trio of sentences:
1. The money is supposed to flow TO the writer, not FROM the writer to the publisher/agent.
2. Write the book you have in you. While you're shopping it around, write the next book you have in you. Repeat as needed until publication occurs.
3. Never stop learning.
There are details, of course, but that's the nub of it.
In the spirit of #3, I also suggest reading about Atlanta Nights (http://www.travistea.com/), if you don't already know about it. It's funny in a sick/alarming sort of way.
Oh, and there are various online critique groups out there, some free and some not. The Online Writing Workshop for Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror is one I used belong to and has been very helpful to authors I know, but it's not free ($49 per year, other payment options available). Forward Motion for Writers is free, but I haven't really participated in it much. I've heard good things about one called Critters Writers Workshop (which is also free), but have never tried it.
Some people find critique groups helpful, others don't - you probably have to try it to figure out which you are. Others just rely on a group of friends. I suppose others go it alone, too. It's all about what works *for you*.
Any questions? If you want to e-mail me directly, LJ has a working address for me. But the main thing to do is to start (and finish - always my problem!) writing something. None of this is really relevant until you have something to be critiqued and then to try to sell!
(long list deleted)
... never mind, just troll through Ralan.com (http://www.ralan.com/m.publish.php). There are lots of smaller markets there, as well as the big ones.
Don't sit around waiting for somebody to issue a "call for manuscripts," you've just demonstrated that trying to write for a specific market doesn't work well for you. Research publishers and pick one that's been doing things similar (but not too similar!) to whatever you've written. And seriously, don't hesitate to aim for the top and then work your way down; what if you actually *succeed* at hitting the top of the mountain? There are actually quite a few major publishers in this market.
Even better, try to get an agent. Read agent blogs ... I follow Jennifer Jackson (arcaedia on LJ), and also the SF Writers' Association on LJ. There are tons of them out there. Read published writers' blogs, if they talk about the publishing business. My dinner is waiting or I'd say more on this.
But first, write something. Then rewrite it. Get somebody whose opinion you trust to be honest and helpful to critique it. Heck, if you're going to write something that's not romance or erotica (which I don't like), *I'll* read it.
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That's about as far as my knowledge of the business side goes, unfortunately.
Reply
Anyway, I've been studying publishing from a would-be author's perspective for quite a few years and have stored up bags of advice on the subject, all against the time when I might actually finish something. I'll share it if you like.
Reply
Anyway, I've been studying publishing from a would-be author's perspective for quite a few years and have stored up bags of advice on the subject, all against the time when I might actually finish something. I'll share it if you like.
That sounds quite enormously helpful! Thank you!
Reply
I deeply appreciate the vote of confidence! But, well, "knowing" someone mostly through online postings can be problematic - even risky. Although maybe that's my deep-seated paranoia about human contact talking (not to mention a couple of regrettable online experiences). Plus, not every writer/critiquer pair turns out to be a good fit, if you see what I mean. That's a risk, too. Did I mention paranoia? Yes, I see that I did.
That being said, while you're working on whatever it is you decide to write, I suggest you study the postings in Writer Beware (http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/) and the informational sections of Preditors & Editors (http://pred-ed.com/). These are full of important information and advice about agents and publishers - because the larger publishing world is, regrettably, full of scam artists and, for lack of a better word, fools of all kinds. This is not to scare you off, because there are tons of reputable people out there too; these resources just help separate the wheat from the chaff.
Upon reflection, I think I can actually sum up years' worth of reading writing/publishing advice in a trio of sentences:
1. The money is supposed to flow TO the writer, not FROM the writer to the publisher/agent.
2. Write the book you have in you. While you're shopping it around, write the next book you have in you. Repeat as needed until publication occurs.
3. Never stop learning.
There are details, of course, but that's the nub of it.
In the spirit of #3, I also suggest reading about Atlanta Nights (http://www.travistea.com/), if you don't already know about it. It's funny in a sick/alarming sort of way.
Oh, and there are various online critique groups out there, some free and some not. The Online Writing Workshop for Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror is one I used belong to and has been very helpful to authors I know, but it's not free ($49 per year, other payment options available). Forward Motion for Writers is free, but I haven't really participated in it much. I've heard good things about one called Critters Writers Workshop (which is also free), but have never tried it.
Some people find critique groups helpful, others don't - you probably have to try it to figure out which you are. Others just rely on a group of friends. I suppose others go it alone, too. It's all about what works *for you*.
Any questions? If you want to e-mail me directly, LJ has a working address for me. But the main thing to do is to start (and finish - always my problem!) writing something. None of this is really relevant until you have something to be critiqued and then to try to sell!
Love,
Kriz
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