http://jenwrites.livejournal.com/
I'm linking to Jennifer Pelland's blog because she's a semi-starting out writer. (Probably a step or two beyond where most of us in the publishing class are.) I've been following her progress since 1999 or so, though. She covers the writing process, the submission process for both novels and short stories, and the publishing process. She's a sharp, talented writer. She is a science fiction writer, but I think her advice and experiences are still useful to people who don't write in that particular genre.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Tools: Writer's Guild of Amerca, West
www.WGA.org
This is the screenwriters' union on the West Coast. If you're interested in screenwriting, this is a good start, and a resource no screenwriter should be without, even if they haven't yet joined the guild. And you'll want to join the guild someday. Their website covers all aspects on the screenwriting business from writing, to pitching, to registering copyright, to producing, to residuals.
This is the screenwriters' union on the West Coast. If you're interested in screenwriting, this is a good start, and a resource no screenwriter should be without, even if they haven't yet joined the guild. And you'll want to join the guild someday. Their website covers all aspects on the screenwriting business from writing, to pitching, to registering copyright, to producing, to residuals.
Agents
Okay, there is the question of the agent. And there are oh so many answers. I'm starting with this post, Everything You Wanted to Know About Agents, at Neil Gaiman's blog, though the relevant bit is actually written by Tor Books editor Teresa Nielsen Hayden. Go read her advice on getting a first novel out there. She provides a lot of links to some very useful places. Unfortunately, due to the ephemeral nature of the internet a few of them are gone. The majority, though are still in place.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Markets: NewPages.com
www.Newpages.com
New Pages is a collection of literary markets. It's not as searchable as Duotrope is, but their reviews are a bit more extensive. They also do book reviews and reviews of current issues of literary magazines. They also have a guide to conferences and writing programs, in addition to the usual calls for submissions and contests.
Also recommended reading is the New Pages blog, at http://newpagesblog.blogspot.com/. It's a look not only at magazines and contests but the general culture of writers.
New Pages is a collection of literary markets. It's not as searchable as Duotrope is, but their reviews are a bit more extensive. They also do book reviews and reviews of current issues of literary magazines. They also have a guide to conferences and writing programs, in addition to the usual calls for submissions and contests.
Also recommended reading is the New Pages blog, at http://newpagesblog.blogspot.com/. It's a look not only at magazines and contests but the general culture of writers.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Writers on the Web: Twitter Edition, volume 1
There are quite a few writers on Twitter. Most are using it just to keep readers up to date on what they're doing. I'll start with linking the writers I'm following these days.
Neil Gaiman
http://twitter.com/neilhimself
I admit I'm a bit biased when it comes to Gaiman. But I'll keep recommending him anyway. His twitter feed is an update of his immediate doings, especially interesting when he's on tour, but also of interesting news and events.
John Hodgman
http://twitter.com/hodgman
Hodgman is a humor writer. His twitter is always entertaining, but maybe not the most illuminating look at publishing concerns.
Mignon Fogarty
http://twitter.com/grammargirl
Fogarty wrote a grammar guide, Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing, that made it to the New York Times bestseller list. She also does a weekly podcast about a different aspect of grammar. She's currently writing a daily grammar devotional.
Wil Wheaton
http://twitter.com/wilw
Wheaton is an all around geek and a non-fiction writer. His twitter stream talks hockey, writing, and life in general.
Neil Gaiman
http://twitter.com/neilhimself
I admit I'm a bit biased when it comes to Gaiman. But I'll keep recommending him anyway. His twitter feed is an update of his immediate doings, especially interesting when he's on tour, but also of interesting news and events.
John Hodgman
http://twitter.com/hodgman
Hodgman is a humor writer. His twitter is always entertaining, but maybe not the most illuminating look at publishing concerns.
Mignon Fogarty
http://twitter.com/grammargirl
Fogarty wrote a grammar guide, Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing, that made it to the New York Times bestseller list. She also does a weekly podcast about a different aspect of grammar. She's currently writing a daily grammar devotional.
Wil Wheaton
http://twitter.com/wilw
Wheaton is an all around geek and a non-fiction writer. His twitter stream talks hockey, writing, and life in general.
Editors on the Web: Ellen Datlow
http://ellen-datlow.livejournal.com/
Ellen Datlow is an award winning editor of mostly genre collections, including Year's Best Fantasy Horror. Her blog covers her personal life as well as the goings on of a working editor. It's a good look at the workings of publication from an editor's point of view.
Ellen Datlow is an award winning editor of mostly genre collections, including Year's Best Fantasy Horror. Her blog covers her personal life as well as the goings on of a working editor. It's a good look at the workings of publication from an editor's point of view.
Writers on the Web: Neil Gaiman
http://journal.neilgaiman.com/
This is the direct link to Neil Gaiman's blog. He writes fiction, comic books, screenplays, songs, poetry and just about anything else there is. He also has some great advice when it comes to the mechanics of the publishing industry from a writer's point of view.
This is the direct link to Neil Gaiman's blog. He writes fiction, comic books, screenplays, songs, poetry and just about anything else there is. He also has some great advice when it comes to the mechanics of the publishing industry from a writer's point of view.
Markets: Duotrope.com
http://www.duotrope.com/
Duotrope is a market search engine. By entering search parameters such as length, theme, genre, payscale, etc., you'll be given a list of possible markets for your work. The information for each journal includes: the genre/themes accepted, the medium of the publication (print, web, etc.), payscale, reported response time, preferred submission method, and a link to the website when possible.
By subscribing to their RSS feed/newsletter, you'll receive deadline notifications for contests and updates to the market listings.
They also have a submission tracking tool available with (free) membership to the site. It's pretty thorough, but not available offline. So I wouldn't use it primarily, but it's a good supplement or jumping off point for a personal tracking system.
Duotrope is a market search engine. By entering search parameters such as length, theme, genre, payscale, etc., you'll be given a list of possible markets for your work. The information for each journal includes: the genre/themes accepted, the medium of the publication (print, web, etc.), payscale, reported response time, preferred submission method, and a link to the website when possible.
By subscribing to their RSS feed/newsletter, you'll receive deadline notifications for contests and updates to the market listings.
They also have a submission tracking tool available with (free) membership to the site. It's pretty thorough, but not available offline. So I wouldn't use it primarily, but it's a good supplement or jumping off point for a personal tracking system.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Network Tools: Twitter
www.twitter.com
For those not in the know, Twitter is a social networking site that restricts each post to 140 characters. After creating an account, you can follow other accounts in your own publication stream. You can watch each individual stream without joining Twitter, but having an account allows for consolidation of the people you're following.
So why do I recommend Twitter? There are quite a few authors using the service, and I think it's valuable for us as burgeoning authors to hear from those already in the game. Possibly more importantly, though, it's not just people using Twitter, companies have gotten in on it. Yes, including publishing companies. I wouldn't be surprised if a few literary journals have joined as well. (There is, in fact, a journal dedicated to the writing that goes on on Twitter.)
For those not in the know, Twitter is a social networking site that restricts each post to 140 characters. After creating an account, you can follow other accounts in your own publication stream. You can watch each individual stream without joining Twitter, but having an account allows for consolidation of the people you're following.
So why do I recommend Twitter? There are quite a few authors using the service, and I think it's valuable for us as burgeoning authors to hear from those already in the game. Possibly more importantly, though, it's not just people using Twitter, companies have gotten in on it. Yes, including publishing companies. I wouldn't be surprised if a few literary journals have joined as well. (There is, in fact, a journal dedicated to the writing that goes on on Twitter.)
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