Posts Tagged ‘publisher’

27
Jan

I Need to Do More

   Posted by: Michell    in Irreverent Muse

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.

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10
Jan

Get Published Episode 22 – New Years’ Goals… or are they Resolutions?

   Posted by: Michell    in Get Published (Podcast), Irreverent Muse

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Happy New Years, Everyone. I wanted to start the new year out talking about my own personal goals for 2010. I have some ambitious plans for the coming year that I want to share with you.

I also have a great question regarding when to start connecting to people via social media. It’s a little shorter episode than the past few, but I wanted to ease into the new year.

Thanks for joining me for another year. I hope we can make it a great one together.

-Michell

Show Notes

00:00 — Opening – Get Published, Episode 22 – New Years’ Goals… or are they Resolutions?

  • Everything has to start somewhere and this is the start of “Get Published”

0:14 — Introduction – Get Published, Episode 22 – New Years’ Goals… or are they Resolutions?

Welcome to the show.

01:33 — Promos: Tale Chasing

http://www.talechasing.com

02:42 — Feedback – Get Published, Episode 22 – New Years’ Goals… or are they Resolutions? (continued)

  • Mike answers a question from Brandy: “When is a good time to start connecting with people via Twitter/Facebook/etc.
  • Email feedback at getpublishedpodcast dot com with your comments or call the voiceline at (206) 203-2031

07:38 — Promos: Digital Magic

http://www.digitalmagicnovel.com

08:36 — Get Published, Episode 22 – New Years’ Goals… or are they Resolutions?  (continued)

Mike talks about his writing and podcasting goals for 2010

26:03 — Promos: Bird House Rules

http://www.imaginethatstudios.com/twitter/

26:55 — Closing

Let me know what you think and definitely use the voicemail line to your heart’s content!

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2
Sep

Conventions: Not Just for Dressing Up

   Posted by: Michell    in Irreverent Muse, Promoting Your Book

Who here has ever gone to a convention of one kind or another? Don’t be shy, raise your hands high if you have. Now, how many of you have been to a convention where another writer or a publisher or an editor or an agent has been a guest, a panel participant or a known quantity?

And what did you do at that convention? Did you meet any of the aforementioned people?

I attended ConVersion (a local SciFi/Fantasy convention) not too long ago. My goal was to meet one of the publishers who I knew to be coming and maybe meet Terry Brooks. Let me begin by saying that I am not the most outgoing person alive.

Still, I went at the beginning of the con and immediately ran across the publisher in question. Over the course of the convention I managed to spend an hour or so of dedicated time speaking with her. It was awesome!

I also managed to chat with Terry Brooks, Tanya Huff and Robert J Sawyer. Yes, I was able to play the fanboy.

But those weren’t the only reasons I went. I wanted to meet people who are interested in writing. I wanted to make some connections that will help me to improve my craft. For this, I was very successful too. I met and chatted with Brian Hades who is the founder/publisher for Hades Publications. I met several published authors who gave me some great tips too. I also managed to arrange several interviews for upcoming episodes of “Get Published”.

As I have said numerous times before, networking is a key activity for a writer. I’m hoping that through my efforts at the convention I will have garnered some additional exposure with people who can help me further my writing career. I also hope to be on the other side of the panels at the next convention; it was obvious being a panelist is SO much better than being a member of the audience.

The only catch is I had to actually initiate conversations (not a strong point as mentioned before). That hurdle proved to be less of a problem than I had feared.

Personal Update

I am now deep into the rewrite of the fantasy novel to capture the changes mentioned by editor-extraordinaire, Gabrielle Harbowy. Oh yes, and I wait with bated breath to hear how I will fare in the Parsec Awards (to be announced on Saturday).

Wish me luck.

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