1. THE WORLD OF PUBLISHING Creative Writing

2. THE GENERAL PROCEDURE 3. Every publisher is different.

There are still general steps that are usually followed:

• #1:Review

• #2:Production

• #3: Marketing

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSH-KFZC8z9rI_iuqo0e9gMqqQAei0LA0DEk8PR8UbNP0dcFKHR 4. SUGGESTIONS 5. Read. And Read. Then read some more.

Young writers tend not to read. Especially poetry. Its a big mistake.

Youll never develop your writing skills if you dont immerse yourself in reading writing of all kinds.

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR7FAVzBbcLqTsZB8Sb3BEDPhBFvcyWshGFUHjg-IKuywsbHko9 6. Know what you write.

And what you write best.

Ideally, you should be experimenting with all kinds of forms.

You probably feel comfortable with some more than others.

Where is your voice most natural?

Submit there!

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTujR9mv90SgyIBTXob69e-pVIZODCJBPQwcjdafg8QKLSJDA40fQ 7. Learn the biz.

Theres a right way to go about submitting writing.

Learn all you can by reading writing-related books and magazines.

Surf the net for markets for your writing.

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSesLwaVkgJs-QkOiN5mAdHdK6qrI35QY9J3C336fA7m-6hcCqUcg 8. Research your markets.

Gather names, addresses, figures, editorial preferences, and other pertinent information all in one place.

Read their publication to see what theyre publishing.

Check out writing samples andguidelines . If its not online, send for guidelines! Consider this inside information!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ljPjeC0s80g/TTnrBe7Z2NI/AAAAAAAADI4/fLbFwbjhsEU/s1600/writers_market_2011_deluxe.jpg 9. Start slowly.

As tempting as it may be to send your work straight toThe New Yorker , try to adopt a more modest approach.

Good resources for writers at any stage:

• Poets & Writers(published bimonthly)

• • http://www.pw.org/

• Writers Digest (8 issues/year)

• • http://www.writersdigest.com/GeneralMenu/

• The Markets (published yearly)

• • Poets Market

• • Writer's Market

• • Novel And Short Story Writer's Market

• • Children's Writer's And Illustrator's Market

10. Be professional!

Make it show in your very first submission, from the way you prepare your manuscript to your attitude in communication with the editors.

Follow guidelines.

Submit a polished manuscript.

Choose works carefully with editors needs in mind.

Alwaysinclude a SASE.

• Shows respect for editor and yourself.

11. Format

ON PAPER:

Do not submit handwritten poems, unless the publisher indicates that this is OK.

Typed, 8.5x11 paper, 1+ margins, traditional font

Use a heading.

12. Heading

Heather Mundy

3330 Seneca Street

West Seneca, NY 14224

(716)677-3350

{6 lines until title)

Title

{2 lines}

Start of piece

13. Other standards

Double space between stanzas.

One piece per page.

For pieces longer than one page, type your name in the upper left-hand corner.

14. Submitting by e-mail

In most cases, include your piece in the body of an e-mail.

• Avoid software issues.

• Avoid spreading viruses.

Other editors prefer attachments.

http://thebreakingstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/1304796134-25.jpg 15. Cover Letter

Your introduction to the editor

Discusses yourself and your work

Check guidelines to see if it is required; best to send one if it is preferred

http://www.recruitni.com/graphics/Magazine/writing-cover-letter.jpg 16. Keep track of your submissions.

Do not send out the only copies of your work.

Keep hard copies.

Establish a tracking system.

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRVRKe3-Xocpwrky8V-MBSTtM30CGtXlzlbcZQ4yeuhB0mWQW1GWg 17. Learn from rejection

A rejection slip is not a permission slip to doubt yourself, condemn your writing, or to give up.

If the editor comments on your work, feel lucky (theyre busy!), and pay attention to what they have said. Consider their feedback with an open mind.

Try again!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rxXiESeppBQ/SXkzutXF74I/AAAAAAAAFVE/0Vv8ZlxUVYY/s400/300_49209.jpg 18. Be careful and leery of anthologies.

The anthologies will cost you (often a lot of) money, and the quality of the work in them is usually disappointing.

Weird, false promises.

Dont let your desire to be published allow you to fall into a trap youll regret.

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