NW Bookfest '13 Workshop Review #10: Get Published, Stay Published

 

(Image from:  Publisher's Weekly Blog)



For the final workshop of NW Bookfest '13, I chose to attend Get Published, Stay Published; hosted by Terry Persun.

No matter what genre you're writing, how much you write, or whether it's fiction or non-fiction; chances are Terry has experience writing it.  So you can't go wrong attending any seminar or workshop he's a panel member of, or hosting.  (He was part of the sci-fi panel I discussed three NW Bookfest posts ago).

Terry can talk fast, but don't worry because he usually has handouts--which he provides AFTER his class.  This is to prevent folks from merely snagging handouts and slinking out of the room.  Besides, reading handouts after a lecture reinforces learning.  Right?

 

Anyway, here's the gist of Terry's advice on getting and staying published--

 

--Learn the business

--Learn to write (well that is)

--Commit (set aside time to write every day, if not at least regularly)

--Data mine everything for ideas (work, hobbies, interests, travel, etc.)

--Build your repertoire (keep writing)

--Be courageous (keep submitting your work) and finally--

--Know yourself and what kind of writer you are.

 

Terry divided writers into two general categories:

 

1. Product Writers--write anything and everything according to the market.

 

2. Process Writers--write only what interests them.

 

What camp do you pitch your tent?  (I'd consider myself a process writer, because I feel I'd have a hard time writing about topics I have no interest in).

 

Terry considered the following to be Five Key Elements for maintaining your publishing momentum:

 

1. Account for your work.

--Establish a production goal.

--Have several projects going on simultaneously in order to limit the effects of writer's block.

--Circulate your finished work.

--Be organized.

--Have samples of your work handy.

 

2. Conceptualize your work.

--Make sure your copies are clean.

--Check spelling.

--Spell people's names (as in agents and editors) properly.

--Respond--positively/politely--to rejections.

--Send out groups of submissions, not just in single shots.

--Don't shortchange your clients.  Send them what they want and do your best work.

 

3. Create a Community of Equals.

--Find people who understand what you do.

--Ask for help (but be sure to provide help when asked)

--Stay in touch.

--Share your success.

 

4. Live the life of a writer.  (No this doesn't mean drinking yourself into a stupor).

--Go to writers conferences.

--Market yourself.

--Let readers know about your projects.

--Support the business you're in.  Buy books from your author friends.  (Besides this could be a tax write-off).

--Market your friends' works.

--Promote reading/literacy in general.

 

And--

 

5. Treat writing like it's play.  Have fun! 

 

Remember, if you're bored with your writing, your readers will be too...