Tag Archives: Writer’s Market

Jon Gibbs’s Ten things I wish I knew before I was published #2: It Ain’t Easy, Baby

Posted on July 20, 2012 | 18 comments

You will not get published by accident. You need to go to workshops, and send your stuff out. No one will accidentally read your manuscript.

Now, I need to admit that I have a friend who posted an excerpt from her novel on her blog, and a publisher happened upon it. He asked her to send him a full, and he eventually published her.

It does happen, but the chances are so slim I can’t think of a number that small.

There are people out there who walk around carrying “Writer’s Market” hoping someone will see them and say “are you a writer?” Seriously… it’s not going to happen.

You need to submit. Press that little submit button. I know it’s hard, I’ve been there, but it can be done.

Go ahead, stick those pages in that envelope. Send your baby on its way. It won’t get anywhere if you don’t let it leave home.

You need to decide if you are a recreational writer, or a professional writer. Either one is fine, but professional writing is work. You need to apply for jobs… no different here.

(Unless you go for self-publishing, but that’s another story completely)

Note: The above are Jon Gibb’s main speaking points, with my rambling opinions attached.

Jon Gibbs is the author of one of my son’s favorite books: FUR-FACE, which was nominated for a Crystal Kite Award.

Jon is an Englishman transplanted to New Jersey, USA, where he is an ‘author in residence’ at Lakehurst Elementary School. Jon is the founding member of The New Jersey Author’s Network and FindAWritingGroup.com.