12 Tips For The New Writer Or Author: A blog on helpful tips for people starting in publishing
Writing is a tough business. It's hard to get your foot in the door, and if you're not prepared, you'll likely never make it past that first step. But there are things you can do to improve your chances of success as an author.
Here are 12 tips for new writers to help them on their journey into publishing.
Learn To Take Criticism
It’s important to learn how to take criticism. When you are new, it is easy to feel like it is a personal attack or that someone doesn’t like your work, but that isn't what it is all about. The main purpose of this article is not just to help you understand how criticism works but also how to make the best use of it when someone offers their opinion on your writing or book.
Know And Learn About Publishing
It would help if you also learned about publishing companies, what they do and how they work.
Here are some tips on how to do that:
Read books on publishing. You can find them at your local library or bookstore, and there's no shame in reading online too! No matter where you read it, there's so much information that will help give you an idea of what the industry is all about.
Learn about the industry by visiting different publishing websites like HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Random House (to name a few). When you visit these websites, try looking over their "Careers" section as well as their FAQs section (if one exists) for more insight into what it takes to get hired with them specifically
Have A Social Media Presence
You can't expect to be taken seriously as a writer if you don't have a presence online. It would be best if you had a website, blog, Facebook page, Twitter account, and other social media accounts. People will want to know what you're doing and where they can find you.
You should also have websites for all of your books so that people know where to buy them and what they're about before they even start reading them (if they haven't already). This will help drive sales when people are looking for something new and exciting to read next!
Develop A Thick Skin And Be Humble
If you are a new writer or author, there is no doubt that you will have to develop a thick skin. The publishing industry is ruthless, and reviews can be brutal. It isn’t uncommon for writers to receive harsh criticism from readers and reviewers of their work, especially in the beginning stages of their careers.
It is important to remember that this type of criticism is not always meant to be personal but rather constructive feedback on how they perceive your writing style or content. You should always keep these things in mind when reading any reviews, as just because one person doesn’t like what you wrote doesn't mean all readers won't either!
It may take some time before people begin to see your talents as well as flaws but don't give up! Just keep writing and improving yourself every day so when opportunity knocks on your door again (and eventually it will), maybe people will recognize how far you've come since then.
Learn The Industry Lingo
The publishing industry uses its lingo. Learning it is important because it allows you to communicate effectively with people in the publishing industry. If you don't know what the terms mean, your work will be harder to sell and more time-consuming for editors and agents who might review it favorably if they knew what they were looking at.
You may also have difficulty selling yourself as an expert in writing or public speaking if you don't know how to talk like a professional in this field.
Immerse Yourself in Writing Books, Magazines, And Workshops
If you want to become a successful writer, editor, or publisher, then it's important to immerse yourself in all aspects of the industry.
This means reading books on writing and publishing, taking classes and workshops on how to write better stories, and marketing yourself as an author, editor, or publisher.
If you're looking for some good places to start reading about how to become a successful writer:
Take a look at my page, where I constantly share writing tips for successful writers and authors.
You can also check out other sources online that provide helpful tips for successful writers.
Network With Other Writers And Publishing Professionals
It's important to network with other writers and publishing pros. This can help you find an agent or publisher, a mentor, work opportunities, and writing partners.
Here are some ideas for how to do that:
Join a writing group in your area (or start one if there isn't one).
Join an online writing forum where people talk about their projects and share advice.
Participate in Twitter chats about topics related to your book or genre.
Find local events for writers in your area, such as conferences or workshops.
Read Everything You Can Get Your Hands On
Read everything you can get your hands on. You may not have time to read all the books you want but make sure you're reading at least one book or magazine a week. You must read what interests you, not just what others think would be good for your career. And if it takes some time before something interests you, keep reading until it does!
If a book catches your eye and seems interesting but doesn't sound like something for an aspiring writer or author to read, give it a try anyway! You might find new inspiration from unexpected sources—and even if not, there's no harm in trying something new and different. Reading widely will also help keep your mind open as well as expand your horizons when it comes to writing styles and genres.
Hire a Professional Editor to Help You Prepare Your Manuscript/Book for Publishers And Agents
This will give you an edge over others who are not taking this step.
A professional editor is trained to give constructive feedback and help you improve your manuscript. They can help you edit your work for grammar and spelling. They can also give feedback about content, presentation, and more. If you are serious about publishing a book or manuscript, this is an important step.
Submit your work to contests, publishers, and agents. Don't be afraid to ask questions, but don't get discouraged if they don't immediately respond. It is their job to read your work. Be patient and keep submitting until you receive feedback. The most important thing is never to give up!
Conclusion
I hope this article helped you understand some of the basics involved with getting started in publishing. Learning as much as possible about the industry is essential before submitting your work to agents or publishers. As an aspiring author, I suggest you subscribe to writers’ magazines, join a local writers group, and attend conferences for writers with topics that interest you, such as science fiction, romance, poetry, etc.
I recommend hiring a professional editor to help prepare your manuscript/book for publishers and agents.
Finally, remember that persistence pays off! Don't be afraid to submit your work and ask questions; just don't get discouraged too soon. Keep writing, and keep writing!