Ask About Writing
How Do I Get Published ?

How do I get published ? I would love to be paid for my writing but haven't had much luck at getting it published.

There are several steps to getting your work paid for and published. All are equally as important as the other although, as is any case, the element of chance can also help you towards your goal.

== First, ensure that your work is of a quality that makes it publishable. This is sometimes the hardest step because if you are new to writing it can be difficult to know what is a publishable standard. It requires feedback from somebody who you trust, generally I would suggest a person who reads the kind of publication you wish to write for, somebody who has a good knowledge of language, but most importantly somebody who will be honest with you.

If you are writing in a language that is not your native language I would also suggest somebody who is from the country you wish to write for so as to avoid the writing appearing stilted.

== Secondly, research publishers that pay for your style work. Most countries have reference books or websites that list the publications printed in their country, for America it would be the Writer’s Market, for England it’s the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook and in Australia it would be the Australian Writer’s Marketplace. These books or something like them are essential for any writer wanting to tap into the magazine or book market, they list contacts, requirements and advice. All of which are vital if you want to increase your chances of publication.

== Thirdly, supply quality writing to publishers in the form that they are requesting and that fits their publication.

== Fourthly, ensure that you are paid by sending an invoice, and following it up if the payment doesn’t arrive.

I know that listing what needs to be done in four steps makes the whole process sound easier than it may feel, but the truth is that if you get these steps right you stand a huge chance of getting published. There are however two more tips that I would give, one would be to mix with other writers, either in person or online, so that you are aware and constantly mixing in your chosen arena.

The other would be to remember that writing is in many ways a number game. Don’t produce one perfect piece and expect it to get bought straight away. You stand a much greater chance of publication and payment if you produce an almost constant supply of quality work and have it all out on publishers’ desks.

Writing can be a frustrating way to earn an income, but roviding you stick at it and approach it from a business point of view it can also be very rewarding.

I hope this helps. I hope in the near future to be producing some short online courses to cover this topic and ones like it so if you still have questions it might be worth looking out for.


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