STACY-DEANNE (DEE-ANNE)

Look at yourself in the mirror. If any of these answers pertain to you then you need to seriously check your attitude or do not embark on this career. You will never be published or make it in writing.

1. People who constantly make excuses for why they aren't writing instead of actually writing and perfecting their craft.

2. People who think they know everything about the industry and refuse to learn or research.

3. People who are too lazy to research the aspects of writing, how you become published and how you land an agent. They would rather someone else give them all the answers instead of learning on their own.

4. People who believe that agents and publishers have an agenda against new writers. Please! Every published author was new at one time, you're not the first. When a writer resorts to whining or blaming agents and publishers for why their work doesn't cut it, then they are definitely not in the right mind to be career writers.

5. People who believe that their work is perfect the way it is and needs no editing or revision.

6. People who claim that agents and publishers are not interested in "real writing" simply because they keep getting rejected.

7. People who think there is a shortcut to becoming published.

8. People who think they DESERVE to be published and that someone owes them the chance.

9. People who give up looking for agents and editors after only a handful of rejections. Most published authors got more than fifty rejections. You gotta keep at it. This is what separates the determined from the weak.

10. People who write only one book with no follow-up plans.

11. People who seek out agents and publishers before finishing their book.

12. People who ride the coat tails of published authors for the purpose of "getting published".

13. People who think that being published will make you rich and famous overnight.

14. People who only see dollar signs when they think of writing a book.

15. People who don't write because they love to, but because they think it's easy and like the prestige of being a "published author".

16. People who are not realists and cannot except the fact that everyone is not going to be published.

17. People who are jealous of and compare themselves to published authors. They tear down the work of published authors, claiming their own writing is better than the author's (if only the big mean agents would give them a chance). Your writing might be better than a lot of published authors but you must prove it because they're the ones published and you're not.

Don't let your negativity or envy stand in the way of what the future might hold for you and your career.

FAQ for Aspiring Writers

I started this section of my site due to the overwhelming demand from help and advice for aspiring writers. There was a time when I could answer questions individually through emails or My Space but it’s getting very hard to do that these days. As any published author knows, the writing life gets horribly busy. I am no longer able to do the same things I used to and extending a hand to everyone individually is not possible anymore. I didn’t want to leave anyone hanging, so I created this page for aspiring writers.

1. How Do I Get Published?

Before asking this question you need to realize that every person is different. Not one person’s road to publication is the same as someone else’s. You can do everything I did, and you still might not be published. It doesn’t mean you’re not a good writer, sometimes it just doesn’t happen. To get published you have to be extremely determined, hard-working, willing to perfect your craft, thick skinned and most importantly, a realist. You must realize that there is only a small chance that a new writer ever gets published but you must not let that stop you from trying. You never know when or if it’s gonna happen but you can’t give up. Being a realist and realizing exactly what you are up against will help you deal with rejection and other hardships that come from being an aspiring author.

2. Can You Get Me Published?

I get this question all the time and it amazes me. No one can get you published except yourself! No one can wave a magic wand and get you a contract or an agent. If it were that easy then everyone would be published. There are no shortcuts in writing. Published authors can refer you to people with the power of publication, but there will be no guarantee. Everything is in your hands.

3. How Do I Write A Book?

You sit down and write it. You figure out what genre (type of subject your book falls under) you’re writing, then write it. Do not deal with thoughts of agent seeking or searching for publication until your work is finished, revised and rewritten MANY times.

4. Can You Put Links to Writing Sites or Forums on Your Site?

Check under the Quick Links section on the left hand side of the homepage. You will find a lot of helpful sites to start with. I’ve provided a link to my articles on my homepage geared towards helping new and aspiring writers. My greatest suggestion for you to find help and loads of information is an easy one, Google! Don't be lazy. Research is a huge part of writing. Take advantage of the net!

5. Should I Hire an Editor?

If you’re going the traditional publishing route (writing for mainstream, medium or small presses that pay you and where you don’t pay them), then you don’t need to hire an editor. What you need to do is learn how to correctly edit your own work because once (if) you receive a contract from an agent or publisher, it’s gonna be up to you to incorporate the changes they suggest. You won’t be allowed to rely on an editor then. Also, most agents and publishers consider people hiring an outside editor as amateurs. If you’re gonna write the book, you need to learn how to bring it up to industry standards.

If you’re self-publishing (which I do not recommend), then hiring an editor might not be a bad idea since you aren’t working with others to ensure your work is at its best, you must take responsibility and do it. This is the only time I’d hire my own editor. It’s a waste of time if you plan on going with an agent and mainstream publisher.

6. I’m Really Stuck, How Do I Connect With Other Industry Professionals for Advice or Critiques?

There are tons of FREE online writing forums, groups, social networks for writers and critique groups. You can find beta readers (people who will look over your manuscript for free and critique it), advice on the technical and creative aspects of writing.

On the left side of my homepage, you will find links to Writers.net and Absolute Write, two wonderful forums that will lead you in the right direction and hook you up with very helpful people.

7. Could You Provide a Blurb for My Unpublished Book?

I only give blurbs at publishers’ requests or for authors I already know and are acquainted with. I do not read work from unpublished writers for legal reasons.

8. Would You Critique My Book and Give Me Feedback?

I am sorry but no I cannot. I spend my time working on my own work and I don’t have time to critique someone else’s. This is where the writing forums kick in, so you can learn how to spot things in your own writing. I also do not give feedback to unpublished writers because like I mentioned earlier, legal reasons. Published authors can find themselves in a lot of trouble if they decide to read unpublished manuscripts. It’s not that simple. Sometimes your good deeds turn against you and I don’t risk that any writer try to sue me by saying I stole any of their work so I keep myself out of that situation. I know most of you mean well and are only looking for help but I must protect myself just in case.

9. Do You Have Any Advice For Anyone Thinking of Self-Publishing? Will Agents and Publishers Take Me On if I've Self-Published?

Do not self-publish unless you write self-help books, technical books or books that fit small niches. If you write fiction and expect to build a fiction career by self-publishing than you are off the mark. Unless you self-publish a book that sells thousands of copies then don’t expect agents or pubs to be interested in the book. Keep in mind that the average self-published book sells less than 100 copies. Also, most of the books that do make the jump from self-published to landing a traditional contract are nonfiction books. It's very, very rare for a self-published novel to do this.

Also, this is a Catch-22 if your SP book is really successful. If you've already sold a lot of copies, it's already out in the public so most agents and publishers won't want to deal with it. They might feel like it's gotten as successful as it can and feel it's a risk to take it on. It also depends on the book itself. If you really want an agent and publisher then don't self-publish in the first place. If you do self-publish, then push a different (better) book to agents and houses. You'll have an easier shot.

Before thinking of self-publishing, a better alternative would be to seek out ebook publishing companies. Ebook publishers are just as effective if not more than many small presses.

If you have experience or expertise in marketing, editing and have extra money, then self-publishing might work. With self-publishing it's so hard to get your book out to people. This is not to confuse with "being in bookstores". Being in bookstores does not make or break a book. But you need to have solid distribution at least online to get books to customers.

Try a reputable POD company before trying to self-publish all alone.

10. How Do I Know My Audience?

Look at the genre you’re writing and look up other authors who write that genre. Their audience is most likely your audience.

11. Do You Still Plan to Participate on Discussion Groups?

Yes. I will still give advice and tips on online forums and discussion groups for writing. I set up this page because I am unable to give individual advice to everyone these days. I’m getting tons of emails and messages and I don’t have enough time to go around. I will still participate in forums when I can and will be happy to lend advice there.

12. Do I Need an Agent to Get Published?

Yes. You don’t HAVE to have one to get published, but if you plan to build a career in writing, especially as a novelist then you need to get an agent. Agents do much more than getting your books sold. Agents will get you the best deal possible. More than likely you’ll only be able to get yourself a basic publishing contract on your own and if you’re going with the small presses, you’ll see this isn’t very rewarding. Besides the fact that most publishers do not accept work unless it’s through an agent. More and more publishers are adding themselves to this list no matter their size.

Agents will ensure that you keep your rights and higher percentages of those rights. They know the shaking and rattling that’s going on in the business that you’ll never know. Agents are behind the scenes. They know what editors are looking for, what they don’t want and what they’re most likely to accept. Most importantly, agents do all the footwork for your book and this leaves you more time to write. I’ve gone both routes, without an agent and now I have an agent. I wouldn’t go without one ever again.

13. What Warning Signs Should I Look Out For as A Beginner?

Realize that there are a lot of sharks waiting to take advantage of you. You need to research so you’ll know what’s wrong and what’s right in the industry. Avoid going with publishers that require you to pay. You never pay publishers to publish your work. Never go with an agent that charges a fee. Agents don’t charge fees. Avoid vanity, subsidy and shady, lesser-known e-book publishers. If you do not understand the difference then look it up. Remember, money flows towards the author and not the other way around.

14. Should I Consider E-publishing?

That's a hard question. It's really up to you. E-publishing has many advantages and it depends on what your goals are and what makes you happy in the long run. If you do go the epub route, and sell well you'll get royalties monthly as well as a big percentage. You'll also have more input in the publishing process, you won't have to have an agent and you'll be able to release more books in a short amount of time.

You gotta weigh the pros and cons of all publishing methods to decide what you want but epublishing is certainly a fine way to publish if this is what you prefer.

15. Will Going to Conferences Help Me Get Published?

The only thing that will help you get an agent and become published is to write a book you're passionate about that's saleable. No amount of conferences will sell your book no matter who you talk to. You might make contact with agents but don't fool yourself into thinking that gets you into the door. Agents select clients by reading their work, not by shaking hands at conferences. My advice is to focus on writing your book, researching and perfecting that. Although I've heard they can be fun (never been to one myself), conferences are a waste of time if your only purpose there is to sell your book. The agents and pubs that are there do not go to conferences for that reason. Hook them with your writing and that's your best bet. Save the money you'd spend on a conference and go buy some books on writing and the industry. There are millions of authors who've gotten agents and contracts with big pubs and never set foot at a conference. I'm one of them (wink).

Your writing, talent, determination and luck is the only thing that can get you published.