TECH: 101 Tips (44)

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

original posting 25 August 2009

Writers' Digest, October 2004, pages 26 to 33, has a collection of short "nuggets of wisdom" related to getting published. Maria Schneider is the author of the compilation. Take a deep breath, and here we go:

"If you really aren't ready for publication, paying someone to rush things along isn't going to earn you the reputation and success you desire. So put away your checkbook and credit cards and dig out your manuscript. Concentrate your energies into making your writing the best it can be. If your work deserves an audience, it will find one without the process draining your bank account." Nancy Breen

Ouch. Beware of vanity presses, book doctors, and other scams. http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/ is one resource that I've heard good things about. But the point is, if you are looking for publication, you shouldn't have to pay for it. Certainly, it will cost you -- time, mailing costs, time, copying costs, time -- but you shouldn't be paying for publication.

One of the fuzzy questions here is conferences, workshops, classes, books and whatnot. Most of them cost. But...

Oh! What about contests that charge an entry fee? $5 each, and we're giving away a $20 prize for the winner? Wait a minute...

Keep your hand on your wallet, and don't uncover your checkbook and credit cards.