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Hello, again. I am now an official editor of For Authors after filling in last month. I hope I'm able to bring information to you that will help improve authors and help build writing businesses.
Next week's editor will be archgargoyle
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Publishing Myths: True or False? Five to Start
Some of the publishing myths circulating scare authors enough that they are unwilling to try to have their work published. Some of the “myths” have a little truth mixed with the fallacy; others have a large amount of truth; and the rest are completely false. Let’s examine five of those myths and see what is true and what isn’t.
Myth 1. A writer has to know someone in New York City to get published.
First of all, not all publishers are located in New York City any more. Every state has small or university publishers. California, Texas, and Utah have some rather influential publishers now. They may not be one of the giant four, but they are gaining in stature.
Secondly, the idea of only celebrities being sought by publishers isn’t exactly true. Of course a major publisher may better promote a celebrity’s book or even read a manuscript by one first, but the work still needs to be well-written – most of the time.
However, the idea that an author must have a personal connection to a publisher, if he isn’t found on Entertainment Tonight, isn’t so. Yes, having a next-door-neighbor who is the aunt of an editor with Doubleday may get a manuscript read sooner, but that doesn’t mean anything else. If the writing is poorly done, it will be just as rejected as something off the “slush” pile which wasn’t good. Nancy Kress, in Writer’s Digest June 2001, says, “Connections will not close the sale if the manuscript is no good.”
Myth 2. An author needs to be represented by a mega-superstar agent.
A good agent can help writers make their way through the legal mazes, presenting material to publishers, finding the solution for different aspects of the publishing field. That doesn’t mean that a writer should either get the best-named agent in the world or not try to get an agent.
The key to finding an agent is to find one who knows the business, who is interested in promoting his/her clients, and who wants what is best for the client. That doesn’t always mean the “top” agents in the field, who have many clients and obligations.
Now in the days of instant communication, excellent agents can be found everywhere, but California has become second in importance to New York. The main thing to look for is experience, other clients, successes in author clients. Finding whether the agent is a member of the ethical organization, AAR, is one step to discovering a competent, honest agent. Finding an agent who works well with the client helps for a successful partnership.
Remember, though, a bad agent is worse than no agent. And, an agent isn’t always necessary, but that’s an entirely different subject, maybe to be covered another time.
Myth 3. Writers must start small and write what they know.
Let’s break this down into two parts. First, writers must start small: No, they should start with the best they have to write. Sometimes, an author can take a short story and expand it into a book, but that doesn’t mean that all writers have to write flash fiction and short stories to start. If a book is what a writer has inside, then a book should be written.
Yes, at times a non-fiction writers does better submitting to local and regional magazines and newspapers, but not always. If a topic works for a major newspaper or magazine, a writer should submit a proposal to that paper or magazine. The only real limits on an author are the ones that talent, lack of effort, or fear create.
The second part of this myth is writing what a person knows. Actually, according to Daniel Lazar, an agent from Writers House agency, says, “Writing what you know should actually be write what excites you.”
Of course research increases what people “know.” Also when anyone writes about anything, bits of knowledge are used. For example, I have never traveled in space. If I decided to write about traveling to another galaxy as a colonist, I would have no personal knowledge about the topic. However, I could take the experience of going under anesthetic to show how a person being put into suspended animation might feel as a drug takes effect. Writing such a story or book would excite me enough to allow me to use a little of what I know, what I research, and what I imagine. An author’s interest and excitement is more important than what is already known about a subject or topic.
Myth 4. Authors have to label the exact genre of work to get an agent.
According to agents Irene Goodman and Daniel Lazar, at the OWFI Writing Conference, an agent is impressed with a well-written, attention grabbing pitch letter and interesting, good material rather what genre the material may be or not be. Labeling something as horror/thriller/romance/sci-fi doesn’t garner any type of interest on the part of an agent. If it’s a novel, the agents say, then just say, “My novel ...” not listing all the possible genres it may be.
Myth 5. Agents are members of a big club that’s secret and hard to get into.
What’s sad about this myth is that it is false. Anyone can call himself or herself an agent. There is no licence required or test to pass. Anyone can have business cards printed up or place advertisements in newspapers or magazines calling himself an agent.
Many real agents exist all over the country. They are people who have been involved in or with publishing and have connections with publishing companies. Some may have been published themselves; others may have been editors or otherwise involved with a publishing company.
Authors need to research to find the type of agent they need, but agents don’t belong to a secret club. The secret is for writers to ask questions.
That ends the first five myths that I've found. Next month, I'll bring another five for discussion.
Sources:
1. Oklahoma Writers Foundation Inc. Conference, May 6, 2006, session with Daniel Lazar of Writers House
2. Nancy Kress, “ Urban Myth vs. the Truth,” Writer’s Digest , June 2001
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Words from our Readers
Wow! Thank you for all your comments. If anyone wrote a question, I'll try to answer it. Because of the large amount of feedback, I can't answer each one comment personally, but I appreciate all the good things said. Please note, I will try to edit feedback to avoid grammar errors.
scribbler 
I have yet to try and get any of my writing published, but thanks for the heads up. I'm still young, so I have to be even more careful of people playing me for a chump!
Strange Wulf
I'll be adding this NL to my "Keepers" folder in my email. I could always use advice to avoid scams. I don't know if I'll ever have an agent (self-publishing is rather attractive to me), but if I do, this will help me out.
The links aren't too shabby either, even if they're about poetry scams. =P Don't write much poetry.
I couldn't find any other items to highlight that dealt with scams on the site. I'm sorry. The same thing happens in all areas of publishing, so just beware and be careful.
writeone
Hey, thanks so much for posting this. I, too, read the article in Writer's Digest, and found it to be quite enlightening. Your newsletter simply reinforced how important it is to find a great agent. I'm not quite ready for an agent yet, but hope to be by the end of this year. Thanks again, writeone
ridinghhood-p.boutilier 
Thank you Vivian for your insightful, instructive article on publishing scams.
I am wondering if you have additional information about poetry contests and reading fees? Is there a way to winnow out the good from the horrible?
An ethical editor who freelances will say so up front and give his/her rates. However anyone who poses as an agent or publisher and charges a reading fee is not ethtical.
Honest contests may charge an entry fee, but they will award prizes up front without the contestant having to pay for an expensive convention.
Research any company, publisher, contest carefully. Googling them will bring forth any complaints or problems others have had.
Lady_Lindis 
This was a very informative topic! ^_^
I hope all aspiring authors here take the time to read your article and save themselves time and heart/headaches.
yampuff
This is probably the best Author's newsleter I've read yet. I'm not deleting this one; nope, it's going write into my saved documents . I want to publish a book so this was immensely helpful.
Now for a question; what about sending manuscripts online? Are there companies that accept digital manuscripts?
Yes, there are some companies that accept digital manuscripts or email submissions. The best thing to do is check the websites for agents/publishers and follow their guidelines exactly.
monty31802
A very good and informative Newsletter though I feel I only fell for one scam that cost me $59.00, I have heard of some that it has cost thousands.
Monty
I fell for a scam that cost me about the same amount. However, I learned my lesson, and I research companies, contests, agencies very carefully now.
pensive
Thanks for the informative newsletter about scams. I have been involved in music for years and it is the same, sadly, in that field. Creative people often suffer at the hands of scam artists and no one is totally immune.
Lynn McKenzie
Vivian--An excellent editorial from you about publisher/agent scams. It's one I will definitely keep and refer to in the future if necessary. Thanks!
spazmom
Good first edition! ;)
esperaza
Hi, excellent advice for anyone hoping to be published who could easily be taken in by unscrupulous "pulishers or agents." Very useful. Esperaza.
dusktildawn
Thank you for such an informative newsletter, Vivian. As I am trying to get published myself, I have heard all sorts of horror stories, this one included. Your advice was wonderful to share! Many thanks.
laurie_o
Thank you for such an informative newsletter! I've recently decided to try to become published (erotica genre) and didn't have the first clue where to start. Everything I read was greek to me, but things are much clearer now on the subject of agents and publishers. I know that most beginnings for erotic writers are online or with genre related magazines, but I would like to have a book done of pieces I've done eventually. So this newsletter has been a great help! Thank you!
P.S. I'd like to use exerpts from your newsletter or plug an item or two that you mentioned for the readers of the UnOfficial Erotica Newsletter to read in mine entitled 'Getting Your Erotica Published,' if that is ok?
Best Wishes
Passionate Lady - Creating!
Sure, you may use exerpts from the newsletter as long as credit is given to me and the newsletter.
schipperke
Thanks, Viv, for this newsletter. I learned alot from it.
Helen
What a great informative newsletter. I really appreciated this. I'm thinking of selling some stories or poems, perhaps both, if I'm lucky, and I'll be sure to watch your newsletter for info. Good job!
rasiam
Thanks for putting together this letter as a warning to all of us who are trying to get agents. I tried to go through the process a couple years ago, and most agents replied saying, "Pay me $300 a month, and I'll sell your book as is." Fortunately my parents stopped me from going to any such agents (I was too young to doubt these people), but what about those just getting started, who think these people are legit? This newsletter lays out in clear terms what a writer can expect from a good agent, steering people away from the mistake I almost made. Nice job!
Rasia
terryjroo
Viv,
Great first "For Authors" Newsletter! I learned a lot about agents and what to look for and what to expect. Now if I ever need one, I'll know what to do and not to do! Thanks for this valuable information!
Ter
salliemoffitt
Great subject for a newsletter. The writing industry is not immune to scams! Writing is a hard industry to break into, this leaves many wanna-be writers fair game for cons.
Thanks for pointing out some valuable facts of the industry.
Sallie
Thank you for the warm welcome to For Authors. I want to be helpful, to aid you become the best writer you can be, to give some direction to building your writing business.
Your comments encourage me and warm my heart (and my face  ). Thank you again.
I hope your writing is successful and enjoyable.
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For Authors: June 14, 2006 Issue [#1067]
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