This week: Taking Charge of Your Success Edited by: NaNoKit  
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Do you want to get your work published? How are you going about it?
There are various routes to publication, and some are better than others...
This week's Action/Adventure Newsletter, then, is all about getting your work out there.
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A couple of weeks ago I spotted some poetry events when looking at a page about an upcoming book festival. The deadline for submission was that very day, so I took a dive into my Writing.Com portfolio, dusted off some poems and threw them into the ring. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision; I hadn’t entered any offsite competitions in years. My creativity comes and goes, and I am mostly content to do my thing here, on my favourite writing website. It was fun, though, to dig around for something that might do well. I have since entered a couple of stories in other events. You just never know…
Not everyone seeks to be published. It’s completely valid to do what you do out of pure enjoyment, with no need for - or interest in - external validation. If you do wish to get published, however, it naturally requires some action on your end to get it done. Depending on what you’re looking for, it may not take much. I have had articles published, and even commissioned, with very little effort. All that it takes is an idea that’s in line with the paper’s editorial direction and an email to the relevant editor. Once you’ve proven that you can, indeed, write more work will come your way. It’s rarely enough to make a living, but it can be a fun and interesting experience.
If you’re not bothered about getting paid it’s even more straightforward – there are plenty of publications who’ll be happy to publish your work for free. I personally feel that for-profit organisations ought to pay – they themselves aren’t working for ‘exposure’ - but if what you seek is to get your name out there it’s an option, and it can help build your portfolio.
It is a little daunting having my poetry and fiction writing judged by people outside of Writing.Com. Writing.Com members are mostly kind and supportive. The reviews I have received over the years tell me that a lot of my work has been enjoyed, and I have placed in - and even won - a variety of contests. It’s a confidence boost, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that professionals in the field will be as enthusiastic. I’ve long described myself as an enthusiastic amateur, and it wouldn’t surprise me if that is how my work comes across. If that is the case, so be it. But what if my supporters are right, and I do have talent?
I know that my skills have improved over my time here on Writing.Com. I have practiced, and experimented, and thrown myself into a variety of challenges, because that is how you learn. Whether or not that’s enough remains to be seen. It’ll take a few months before I know the results – you’ll no doubt find out on my newsfeed if I’ve had any success.
If you want to try your skill, too, I do have some advice – check and double-check who it is you are submitting your work to. When I was a complete newbie poet I submitted my work to a contest and was amazed when they wanted to publish it in their anthology. They truly made me feel like a bright new star. I even received a preview of the cover… along with ways of how to purchase the anthology when it was released. This may not sound questionable, because of course a publisher wants people to purchase their products, but I soon discovered that this is how they work – accept pretty much anything no matter the quality and then sell it to the people eager to see their name in print. To prove this to myself I submitted a terrible poem to the next round and received another gushing response. Being published, then, is not always something to be proud of.
There are, thankfully, genuine contests you can enter your work in for free. There are local events, like the nearby book festival, as well as publishers and organisations looking for new talent. Just have a good look around first. Learn from my mistake and check them out. What are the prizes like? What about the rights to your work? Are they safe and legit? If they ask for an entry fee check them out even more before you part with your hard-earned cash.
It is fun when your efforts are genuinely recognised. I still recall the pride I felt when my first article got published. I sent it to family and friends. It felt good when they told me how proud they were. I may never be able to turn my writing into a career but that’s okay. I prefer it this way – placing too much pressure on a creative outlet can damage it, possibly beyond repair. A little external validation here and there, though, whilst reaching a wider audience… well, that is no bad thing.
I wish you great success in getting your writing recognised.
NaNoKit
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Some contests and activities to inspire you:
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Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Action/Adventure Newsletter Team
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Action/Adventure: May 22, 2024 Issue [#12558]
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