So You Want to Be a Published Writer? A workshop with Melissa Hart, M.F.A., Creative Writing & author of Gringa: A Contradictory Girlhood

Who am I? My first poems & stories were published when I was 15 I worked for newspapers throughout high school You, too, can get published while you’re still in high school!

What Types of Writing Can You Publish? Poems Short stories Feature Articles Fillers Reviews of books, movies, music, etc. Profiles Essays (Social Commentary) Novels/Memoir/Non-Fiction Books

Before You Send Out Your Writing for Publication... Get honest feedback from trusted friends, family members, & teachers Read the piece aloud to catch errors Even one mistake in spelling or punctuation can inspire editors to recycle your work!

Where to Find People to Publish Your Writing The Writer’s Market The Writer Magazine Writer’s Digest Magazine Poets & Writers Magazine Research these, plus magazines and newspapers, at your library and/or bookstore!

Why are Writers’ Guidelines Your Best Friends? Writers’ Guidelines, also called Contributors’ Guidelines, note what the editor is looking for. Find them on almost every magazine & newspaper website. Submit your writing according to the Writers’ Guidelines!

Before You Submit Your Writing... Write a short cover letter. Format your manuscript according to the editor’s request. Send either in the body of an , or as a hard copy with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

A Sample Cover Letter Date Dear Sarah Jones, Below, please find my 1,000-word short story titled “Cat’s Meow” which I’d like to submit to Skipping Stones Magazine. I’m a junior at Laurel Springs School based in Ojai, California. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Your Name Address Phone/

Before You Hit “Send”... Have you spelled the editor’s first and last name correctly? Have you checked and rechecked all spelling, punctuation, and grammar? Are you sending your piece to the editor’s exact specifications in the Writers’ Guidelines?

What If Your Writing Gets Rejected? Writer Isaac Asimov called rejection notices “lacerations of the soul, if not quite inventions of the devil.” Please don’t take them personally. Send your work out again, over and over, until an editor says “yes!”

What If Your Writing Gets Accepted? The editor will or call you. You may be asked to sign a contract. “All Rights” means you sign away any right to the piece. Try always to sign “First Rights” instead of “All Rights.” Your work may appear in print and/or on the Internet within six months of acceptance. You may even get paid for your writing!

How to Boost Your Chances of Publication Incorporate valid research--double- check Wikipedia entries! Incorporate interviews with experts. Include high-quality digital photos. Include SoundSlides. Include a 1-3 minute multimedia clip.

Where Can You Find People to Interview? Local bulletin boards College and university websites Local newspapers and magazines local television news online message boards related to a topic Social media sites such as Facebook Family/friend recommendations

What to Expect After Your Writing is Published Fan mail--you choose whether to respond. Critical mail--again, you choose whether to respond to it. Your writing may get picked up all over the Internet on blogs and websites. Editors will send you a copy of the publication in which your writing appears.

What is a Platform and Why Should You Build One? A platform refers to how visible you are as a writer. Agents and editors want writers with an established platform. Make a Facebook fan page. Get a Twitter account. Intern, teach workshops, volunteer--get your name out there!

How to Publish a Book Find editors/agents at writing conferences-- look on Look up agents/editors on the Internet. Look at your favorite books. Who do the authors thank at the front of the book? Study Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents.

More on Writing Conferences Students attend for free or at a discount. conference director and ask about scholarship/volunteer opportunities. At conferences, can take workshops and network with well-known authors. Can also pitch your writing project to editors, agents, and film producers!

What to Major in at College Bachelor of Arts in Literature or Creative Writing or English or Journalism Degree in another field altogether? Write for school newspapers and magazines, and intern for local publications, as well Think location--do you want to be in New York City? Hollywood? Iowa?

The Crucial Thank You Note Writing a thank you note via or mail sets you apart from other writers. Thank the following people who have taken the time to read your work: Parents, teachers, friends and family Editors and agents Conference directors People who have sent you fan mail People who have mentioned your work on a blog, Facebook, etc.

Wonderful Jobs for Writers! Newspaper reporter Magazine editor Freelance writer Photojournalist Staff writer Book reviewer Public relations staff Book author Independent Editor Literary agent Writing teacher Travel writer Professional blogger Book editor Librarian

Questions? I’ve Got Answers! There are no dumb questions... Too shy to ask today? me at