I came to a realization the other day: despite everything I am doing right now, I need to do more. A LOT more.

How is that for an obscure opening statement? Do I mean I need to walk more, eat more or watch more television? No.

I need to do more to get my name out there in the writing world. Sure, I’m blogging, podcasting, tweeting and facebooking. I’m querying and submitting to contests and publishers (and soon to agents). It’s not enough.

I’ve got to start writing articles and short stories for various markets. I’ve got to get onto forums and special interest groups. Why? Because I can NEVER get my name out into enough places.

OK, I think that’s clear enough, but what brought me to this realization?

My friend and self-proclaimed mentor, Simon Rose (www.Simon-Rose.com) did it without even realizing he was teaching me another lesson (that’s at least one more beer that I owe you Simon). Simon was my guest for the 1-year anniversary episode of ‘Get Published’. As soon as the episode was posted (and before I had a chance to tell him it was available) he had already begun to spread the word about it. I have absolutely no idea where all he posted about it. All I know is I saw an immediate spike in activity on my site.

For those of you who have been listening to ‘Get Published’, you know that I’ve had some pretty well-known (at least in the podisphere) guests. When those interviews were posted I usually saw a bit of a spike of activity. Nothing like this though.

If you haven’t listened to the show, Simon is a Science Fiction/Fantasy author who writes primarily for Middle Grade and YA Audiences. He also holds workshops, teaches classes for various organizations, does school visits and a plethora of other things that would take me quite a while to cover. He has a good-sized fan base and I expected his interview to garner some interest.

What I didn’t expect was his interview to CRUSH every other one I’ve had.

I don’t say this to make any of my previous (or future) guests feel bad or self-conscious. I merely say it to prove that having one’s name out in a variety of places (and mediums) is a powerful thing. One I severely underestimated.

I am taking steps to change that.

Thanks for the lesson, Simon. I’m looking forward to the next one.

Personal Update

As I just said (above), I’m looking to increase the areas where I place my writing. I’m already looking at sending some of my writing to some non-paying (but highly read) magazines. Beyond that, I’m going to continue looking for opportunities to write for others as well. If you know of such an opportunity, please let me know.

Tags: blog, contest, Galaxybillies, Get Published, irreverent muse, Michell Plested, podcast, publisher, simon rose

When I first thought about writing as a career I looked around and wondered where I could possibly get the experience I felt I needed to “make it”. I knew I would improve as a writer simply by writing but I also knew that, with proper feedback, I could grow as a writer that much faster. My problem was I had no idea where to go to get it or even how to go about it.

That situation has changed and for the better. Now that I’ve been writing and researching and networking with others for a while, I’ve come to realize just how many opportunities are out there to both write and receive feedback.

1. Obviously, you can always write stories for your own pleasure. To do that you don’t anything more sophisticated than a pencil and paper. But what if you’re still at a point in your writing life where you want to writer about established characters and/or places? The fan fiction universe(s) is/are rich and varied. Now before you protest that many people have said that if you are preparing to write as a career you should avoid fan fiction let me explain my reasoning. Fan fiction is a great place to learn how to writer characters in a way that readers will accept. It might just help you to master creating multi-dimensional characters that are already known to you. Once you have mastered that, you can start creating your own. The same is true for the setting. Your success will be measured by readers who are also familiar with the universe you’re writing in. They’ll tell you if your work is good or not. Just be ready for the criticism.
2. You can try is to write for a specific target. A great example of this is a contest. There are many (many) contests out there for short stories and longer fiction alike. The contests usually have pretty well-defined rules to work within. Those rules can provide you with the structure to get started. Some contests even offer feedback as part of the prize.
3. Critique groups can be found in many places. The advantage to a critique group is you will have multiple (usually) sets of eyes reviewing your work. The thing to keep in mind is that you will also be expected to provide feedback to others. The one I use the most is Critters.org.
4. Put your work out for others to read and enjoy. There are a number of free sites out there. Pick one and sign up. The challenges to this option is getting people to visit your site and using something like “Creative Commons” to protect your work. One example of a free service is WordPress. You can also use social media sites like Facebook. While Facebook is not specifically designed to that purpose, you can still post your fiction (short) there.
5. Many publishers and agents are now accepting submissions electronically. If you feel that your work has progressed to the point where you want to try submitting it, it’s easier than ever before to do so. Before you do, spend some time researching the market and the requirements of the agent or publisher. Then follow their requirements as closely as possible. Make sure what you’re submitting is of the highest possible quality.

I’ve spoken specifically of Internet-based opportunities. You can also find equivalents to many of the above in traditional ways. The Novel and Short Story Writer’s Market books are one example of an excellent resource you can get at your local library. They list publishers, agents, and contests that might appeal to you.

It may seem daunting when you begin, but there is a plethora of possibilities out there. All you need is to spend some time searching and researching the marketplace.

Good luck.

Personal Update

Well, unfortunately ‘Get Published’ didn’t win a Parsec… this year. I’m already gearing up for next year. I’m also hard at work on a number of projects: I’m gearing up for another NanoWriMo, I have my SciFi Comedy serial to write and I’m working on my Fantasy novel. Lots to keep me busy.

Tags: contest, critters.org, facebook, Get Published, irreverent muse, novel and short story, parsec, submissions, writing