Posts Tagged ‘simon rose’

12
May

The Quest for Publishing Credits

   Posted by: Michell    in About Publishing, Irreverent Muse

I have heard (and read) for as long as I’ve been paying attention that publishing credits are important, especially for the fledgling writer. Now this might sound like a catch-22. You know the one: we can’t hire you for the job because you don’t have enough experience, but you can’t get experience without the job?

Yes, it most certainly feels like that to me too.

But why do editors and publishers and agents care if you have any publishing credits? Essentially (and this is based on what I have been told by editors, and publishers) publishing credits mean that someone has read your stuff and has considered it to be of a high enough quality to print. Before you say, “Well duh!” let me finish.

If one person who is in the industry considers your work to be of a high caliber, maybe another will too. In theory this allows the aforementioned editors and publishers and agents to move your work up the chain more quickly. Simply put, it is a means to separate the wheat from the chaff.

That much makes sense to me (and I hope you too), but how do you get publishing credits? There are lots of ways and, here is a quick tip: the publishing credits don’t necessarily need to be in the genre your submitting in.

That little tip may sound odd, but a credit is a credit. Any accepted writing proves that you CAN write at a certain level of quality. Granted, non-fiction writing is not the same as genre fiction typically, but the credit infers a level of professionalism.

But back to how/where you can get publishing credits. Let’s start in our local neighbourhood. Does you community have a newsletter or newspaper? Do you belong to any groups or associations? All of these can yield publishing credits. There are also always the eZines ,small press anthologies, and contests not to mention conventional publishing too. EZines in particular always seem to be starving for content. Even if you’re not getting paid, the exposure is a good thing for you.

All of this was really brought home to me a couple nights ago. I went to a gathering of the local SCBWI (Society for Children’s Book Writer’s and Illustrators) chapter where my friend Simon Rose, published author of six, going on 7+ books was presiding (he runs our local chapter and is the number 2 in the district).

Simon was talking about some non-fiction books he had been asked to do along with a few of the various websites he contributes articles to. He looks at all of that as publishing credits with equal importance to his published fiction.

I am in complete agreement with him which is why I have been submitting articles to non-fiction magazines and fiction alike. I know that the more I can buff up my own writing resume the better I will be. And as I mentioned a couple weeks ago, it is starting to pay dividends. My first published work will be out in August of this year.

Personal Update

Finished another Flash Fiction piece which I have submitted. I will hear about that one by June 15th. I am also waiting to hear if one of my YA series is a go or not. Have I mentioned lately how much I HATE waiting? :)

Oh yeah, and Balticon is in fifteen days. Woot!

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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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24
Jan

Get Published Episode 23 – A Chat with author Simon Rose

   Posted by: Michell    in Get Published (Podcast)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Repeat after me: “Happy Anniversary, Get Published!” Say it everywhere you go. Shout it from the rooftops. If anyone asks what the heck you’re talking about, send them here.

Sound like a plan?

Well, maybe not, but I’m certainly pleased to tell you that this is my one-year anniversary episode. I’m even happier to have my friend, Simon Rose as my guest. Simon is an author with six YA Science Fiction and Fantasy novels currently in print. He is a tireless worker (OK, maybe he DOES get tired, but he still works hard) at promoting himself and his books. He is involved in several different capacities within writing and he has a lot of interesting things to say.

I hope you enjoy the episode.

-Michell

Show Notes

00:00 — Opening – Get Published, Episode 23 – A Chat with author Simon Rose

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

0:14 — Introduction – Get Published, Episode 23 – A Chat with author Simon Rose

Welcome to the show.

01:59 — Promos: Tale Chasing

http://www.talechasing.com

03:07 — Feedback – Get Published, Episode 23 – A Chat with author Simon Rose (continued)

  • What is the most important lesson we have learned in the past year?
  • Email feedback at getpublishedpodcast dot com with your comments or call the voiceline at (206) 203-2031

06:32 — Promos: Digital Magic

http://www.digitalmagicnovel.com

07:30 — Get Published, Episode 23 – A Chat with author Simon Rose  (continued)

Mike talks to author Simon Rose about his road to getting six (and counting) books published

51:34 — Promos: Bird House Rules

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

52:26 — Closing

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

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