| Last week I received an email from someone who | | | | resources, and conferences. Think of the dues as an |
| had read an article of mine. She writes poetry and | | | | investment in yourself. |
| her goal is to be a published author. In preparation for | | | | 7. Invest in writing resources. I have found the |
| the meeting, I printed out an article from the | | | | "Associated Press Style Book and Libel Manuel" to be |
| Internet and compiled this list. Our meeting went well | | | | extremely helpful. "Writer's Digest" books have |
| and she identified the tips she was going to work on | | | | helped me as well. Over the years, I have put |
| first. | | | | together a small library of writing resources and use |
| 1. Write ezine articles. This is one of the best ways | | | | them all the time. |
| to get published and garner publicty. Authors write | | | | 8. Learn how to write a query letter. Many books |
| the articles for free and anyone may publish them | | | | offer tips on this skill. Good query letters take lots of |
| for free (electronic and print) as long as they follow | | | | time and practice. Personally, I do not think a query |
| the publishing guidelines. | | | | letter should be longer than one page. |
| 2. Write for online support groups. Many groups and | | | | 9. Learn how to write a book proposal. This skill also |
| foundations offer reliable support. Find one that | | | | takes time and practice. Your proposal should be |
| matches your interests and write for it. You may | | | | concise, neat, and meet the submission guidelines. |
| choose to write for several groups. | | | | 10. Beef up your resume. If you have not written a |
| 3. Submit work to magazines. Many journals and | | | | resume before, find out how to do it. Stick to the |
| magazines do not pay for submissions and your "pay" | | | | facts and leave out the hype. Revise your resume |
| is the publicity you receve. This writing helps you | | | | regularly to see the progress you have made. |
| garner name recognition and often leads to additional | | | | 11. Learn about potential publishers. Before you send |
| work. | | | | anything to a potential publisher, learn about the |
| 4. Write for your religious community newsletter. This | | | | books they publish, best sellers, and any awards they |
| will help you to sharpen your skills and garner more | | | | have received. Keep a file folder on all of your |
| name recognition. If you are adventurous, you may | | | | submissions, when you made them, and the |
| offer to edit the newsletter. | | | | responses you received. |
| 5. Join a writing group. Learn about the group before | | | | 12. Challenge yourself. Keep a running list of article |
| you join. Log onto the website and talk with some of | | | | and book ideas. Pick a promising idea and start |
| the members. Make sure your writing is a match for | | | | working on it. |
| the group. | | | | Breaking into the publishing business is not easy, |
| 6. Join a specialized group. Specialized groups | | | | especially in this economy. A logical, organized |
| understand your work, provide customized tips, | | | | approach may tilt the publishing odds in your favor. |