Re: publishing help
Colin (colin@cpink.demon.co.uk)
Thu, 23 Sep 1999 16:56:38 +0100
In message <1.5.4.32.19990922205333.006fc6bc@mindspring.com>, rev. bob
pigeon <sid-vicious@mindspring.com> writes
>At 07:05 AM 9/22/99 -0600, Patti Larrabee wrote:
>>I need advice from all you author types out there. My 15 year old daughter
>has written a book and would like to send it to a publisher. I don't know
>how to do this or where to begin. She thinks she can just get the address
>from Random House and mail it off. Any suggestions from this literary group?
>>Patti
>>
>>Please respond privately since this is not really related to our favorite sage
>
>actually i'd like to hear on the matter if anyone knows anything
>
The best advice one can give to someone who wants to write/publish is -
DON'T DO IT. Take up something more rewarding, less painful, like
pulling your toenails out with a pair of pliers.
Okay. Having got that off my chest I would say the most practical thing
to do is get out there and network; know people, it's the only way. If
you don't have useful contacts no one will even look at your work let
alone accept it.
Most people these days seem to generate useful contacts as a result of
enrolling on one of the creative writing courses. I've been told that
some of these courses even have session where they haul in
agents/publishers and introduce the students to them. What could be
better than that? If you already know anyone in the business exploit
them mercilessly.
Hopefully your daughter will grow out of it and go on to lead a normal,
happy life, but if she doesn't try and get her on the most prestigious
writing course you can find. Make sure she doesn't just sit in her room
and write but circulates among as many people who might be useful to her
as possible. Sucking up is the name of the game. That's what the
successful people do. JDS in his early days did it that way. Talent
won't get anyone anywhere, only contacts. It might sound cynical but
it's true.
--
Colin