HOW DO I GET PUBLISHED? THEN WHAT DO I DO?
\n by Kathy Fieler<\/p>\n
There are two elements to writing, says Charlie Patton, Book
\nReview Editor for the _Florida Times Union_; aptitude and diligence.
\n“There has to be some innate talent, or at least some level of talent.
\nThere are great geniuses and there are competent, hard-working writers.
\nYour talent will carry you to different levels, but you learn by talking
\nto people who are good writers.”<\/p>\n
Writing for hire teaches skills necessary for consistently turning
\nout publishable material, according to Patton. A writers who is trying
\nto sell an article will research the market before investing time in
\nthe writing process. When the goal is a paycheck, the writers must be
\ndisciplined and realistic.<\/p>\n
“Another nice thing is you have to write to deadlines,” he says.
\nPatton works best against a deadline, because it forces him to concentrate.
\nHe suspects most writers are like this. “I think most writers tend to
\nprocrastinate,” he says. “Certainly writers working in the newspaper
\nbusiness do. No one ever turns things in six weeks ahead of deadline.
\nIt’s always more like six minutes before, of six minutes after.”<\/p>\n
Start by writing what interests you, because you’ll have a passion
\nfor the subject, he advises. Then write any time an opportunity
\npresents itself. “I began writing about sports, not because I wanted
\nto write, but because I liked sports,” he said. “If you’re in high
\nschool or college, write for the school newspaper. You have to begin
\nthe writing process to learn it.”<\/p>\n
Reference books, particularly a good thesaurus, a good dictionary,
\nand a manual of style, are important to both the beginning writer and
\nthe seasoned pro. “I’ve got lots of reference books and have access to
\nlots of good ones at the newspaper,” says Patton, “but I’m in the
\nunusual position as the editor of a newspaper. I get sent hundreds of
\nbooks a year.” He advocates going to your public library if you’re on
\na budget.<\/p>\n
Electronic reference books are becoming ever more available to
\npeople with home computers and Patton believes writers should take
\nadvantage of it. “We’re on the leading edge of the electronic age,” he
\nsays. “In my house, we don’t have encyclopedias on paper any more. We
\nhave them on CD ROM and that’s just the beginning of what’s available.
\nA newspaper called the _San Jose Mercury_ has taken a leading role,
\npublishing by computer, and is available on one of the on-line
\nservices.”<\/p>\n
Beware of short cuts, he warns. “Writers should seek publication,
\nbut anybody that pays to get their stuff published is not a professional,”
\nhe says. With all the scams out there, it’s easy to succumb to impatience
\nand get caught up in vanity publishing. Likewise, it’s easy to concede to
\ngiving work away, just to see your name in print. And make sure your read
\nup on copyright laws. Know which rights you are selling or seek the
\nadvice of a good copyright attorney before signing any contract.<\/p>\n
That is not to say Patton thinks self-publishing is always bad. “I
\nencounter lots of people who want to be writers, who don’t have the
\ntalent or haven’t put in the effort, but think they are deserving of
\nthe attention because they aspire to be a writer,” he said. Patton
\ndoesn’t have a problem with someone publishing his own book, if it’s
\nfor the right reason, such as it has a niche market and may not sell
\nin the mainstream.<\/p>\n
If you intend to self-publish, you should seek qualified critiques
\nof your material in order to avoid embarrassing mistakes the pros
\nwould never miss. Patton says writers’ groups, lead by properly
\nqualified individuals, are good places to have work inexpensively
\nedited and learn the writing process.<\/p>\n
Once you’ve been published, publicity is the next concern. Patton
\nsays it’s really up to the author to see that the book is aggressively
\npromoted. “It doesn’t hurt to promote your own book,” he says. “Authors
\ndo that all the time. If someone calls me up and offers some aspect that
\nis germane to my column, I’ll write about it.” The trick, he says, is
\nto find a story angle for the publication you’re contacting.<\/p>\n
Patton likens the successful writer to a great athlete. First you
\nhave to learn the game. Then you have to go to practice, then try-outs,
\nand finally you make the team. In the end, though, it’s up to you to find
\n— those photo opportunities.<\/p>\n
# # #<\/p>\n
Copyright 1994 Kathy Fieler
\n———————— # # # ———————————-
\nKathy is a Jacksonville based freelance writer and publicist. Her works
\nappeared in FLORIDA TIMES UNION, SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT, CLAY TODAY, NASSAU
\nCOUNTY RECORD, SEE magazines, and others. She is an editor of the THE
\nPENCHANT, Public Relations Director for the Florida First Coast Writer’s
\nFestival, and production staff member at STATE STREET REVIEW (a biannual
\nliterary magazine). She’s married, has two children, and various pets.
\n========================================================================<\/p>\n
