I started writing fiction in 1984 and didn't sell my first manuscript until 1997. I like to help other authors learn so they can avoid the same false starts. I've listed on this page many of the resources that I have found most useful in learning to write fiction that sells. I hope it will help you.
Tips on How to Become a Published Author:
The business of publishing is one that most people have no working knowledge. I know I didn't. The thing to keep in mind is that it is better to educate yourself instead of making a costly mistake.
Here are a few tips:
1-Never pay $ to a publisher or agent. A publisher who charges more than a setup fee is called a vanity press. They aren't scams but all they do is print the book, nothing else. Unless you have a large group who are ready to buy it (For example, a family history that you've researched and is wanted by extended family members), don't choose this lightly. You could end up with a garage full of books and disappointment.
Same for an agent. No reputable agent charges a writer. A reputable agent only makes money when they have sold one of your manuscripts to a publisher.
2-Take time to browse in a bookstore and see what books are similar to yours. Who is publishing them? Find out more about these publishers.
3-Google your type of book (for instance, mystery+publishers) and see what results comes up.
4-Don't believe what your mother or best friend say about your writing. There are editing services which you can find on my Christian Book Publishers Page under Moody Publishers.
Use a manuscript review service such as The Writer’s Edge (P.O. Box 1266, Wheaton, IL 60189), or the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s online manuscript service.
5-Join local, regional and online writing groups and forums. Again, just google and you'll find many.
6-Finally, realize that most writers write an average of five books before publishing though a few have written as many as twelve. Do you have what it takes to weather perhaps years of disappointment and rejection? That comes with the territory.
In 2010, I will be presenting this online writing workshop:
The Conflict Grid: Tool For Success
Presented by Lyn Cote with permission of Kathy Jacobson
If you don’t have conflict, you don’t have a story. With Kathy Jacobson’s CONFLICT GRID,* you will learn to uncover every possible conflict inherent that keep your hero and heroine apart. No more sagging middle. No more trouble crafting a true black moment. No more trouble finding the unifying theme that gives your romance power, no matter what subgenre you write. The CONFLICT GRID also clarifies the basic elements of your romance so that you can pitch it to an editor and give her exactly the info she needs to assess whether it’s a winner or not. The CONFLICT GRID, filled out in full, also provides you all you need to write a proposal. It can be your main planning tool for character and plot. Once you learn it, you’ll wonder how you did without it!
*The conflict grid is just one tool developed by Kathy Jacobson AKA Kathy Lloyd in her full writing course, A NOVEL APPROACH, available for download in PDF form for $25 on her website.
When: August 30, 2010 through September 26, 2010
Where: This workshop will be conducted via a Yahoo! email loop. Email invitations will be sent 48 hours prior to the beginning of the workshop.
How: Just register for the workshop and complete the payment process via PayPal. The cost is $10.00 for FFnP members and $20.00 for non-FFnP members.
Registration: Click here to Register for $25 (Non-FF&P Member Rate.)
JOIN TODAY to take this workshop for only $15! If you are a current member of FF&P, please log into the website before registering for this workshop.
In 2007, I offered instruction for other writers online and the material is archived on these sites:
Go to www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors, the HEA Café blog to find my class on "Tips to Please Editors." Scroll down the left column until you reach May 2007; click and the five lessons should come up. If they don't, please let me know.
You can also find this information at SORMAG (Shades of Romance Magazine) fifth online writer's conference at http://sormag.blogspot.com:80/2007/07/online-conference-august-26-sept-1st.html
If you're an aspiring author, I recommend that you investigate www.writersdigestbookclub.com .
And consider these books as essential aids in your writing-I DO! :
Online Classes:
"Empowering Character Emotion", "EDITS Revision System"-two Online Workshops by Margie Lawson, PhD.
Recommended Websites:
Romance Writers of America
Wisconsin Chapter of Romance Writers of America
Faith Hope Love-rwa.org
Rwa Online Chapter.org
Virginia Romance Writers
www.ACFW.com
HEA (Happily Ever After) Café for archived lessons on query, synopsis and beginnings and more! www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors
Love Inspired Historical Authors: http://www.myspace.com/lihauthors
Harper Collins Authors: http://harpercollins.com/authors/32696/Lyn_Cote/index.aspx
Randy Ingermansson's "The Snowflake Guy" site http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/
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