I could use some advice on writing..
 

I'm a writer. I've been doing it for a long time and I'm trying to do it professionally. I'm currently working on a novel and I have an idea for a second one when I finish the first. My only problem is, I don't know jack shit about the industry or getting published.

I read Stephen King's "On Writing" and he urges to write to magazines to get that all-revolving point. I'm a fantasy literature writer and I love DND style items. Is there something I could write in that area, like Dragon Mag? I'm probably going to write something and submit it to them, but I wanted to know if anyone else had any ideas for fantasy/supernatural magaizines or literature works.

Thanks for any help I get. I really need it. This is my dream, here.

This could actually benefit a lot of us, if anyone has any advice. I also write fantasy based novels, but also poetry. So maybe if anyone has any good links to sites about publishing, or knows where we can find any information, that would be a good prop for most people around here.

(Hell, I know a few names around here I'll put in my credits when my first book gets published. =3)

Did somebody ask about publishing?

Try there!

Ooh boy, this is good. We all need this advice.

Also, a good website to post original fiction on (IF you're so inclined), is fictionpress.com. Most of the website's users are crossovers from fanfiction, and most of the stuff is well, lacking...but occasionally a helpful review comes along.

I'm not sure that this has anything to do with the topic at hand, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

I am in acquaintance with a couple of professional (although no-name) authors that are in the process of getting novels published. The greatest advice ever given to me was that in order to write a publish-able novel one must first have written and edited at least fifty short stories and gotten at least 10% of those published. In other words, the ideas and formulas that make a short story great must be perfected first before attempting a novel.

And once you've done that, you have to create a version that a publisher can read. My English prof. has said that his publishers preferred his novels to be typed out, as in, typed on an old styled type-writer. They have strange requests some times. If you can find a less picky publisher and you have your novel prepared, go for it.

Ask and ye' shall recieve.
 

As a resident published, no-name author on this forum, I feel it needed I throw on some tidbits here.

If you haven't read my first column over on the Fortuna Saga, you need to know one of the finer points of having your book published (or rather, helping sell it later on to an agent or publisher) is to be recognized to some capacity. If you're looking for places to submit short stories to, give The Fantasy and Sci-Fi Magazine or Dark Moon Rising a try. When I have more links to post for submissions and so on, I'll be glad to share. Make sure to try your hand at contests also.

Another thing any of you with an itchy urge to publish your book need to know is probably the most painful aspect of this type of career; patience. Take heed, and don't be too eager to get your novel published by any old publisher. It may be your dream, but if you're anything like me, you're bound to want your dream to properly show what you created and that it will be available to people should they want to read it. Being ahead of the game can have unpleasant consequences.

Generally, literary agents are the ones who get a manuscript over to publishers, but you can be bold and try with bigger houses. It'll fail more than likely, but you can try. If you're really gung-ho, inquire with publishers like Behler Publishing. Also, Mirai, if you're feeling up to par with your D&D type style, take an idea over to Wizards of the Coast. They encourage aspiring and no-names alike to send them ideas. Just remember, all of you, we're in a flooded market that is always after money. It's bound to have crushing instances... trust me on that one.

There's no real formula to succeed in the business as far as I know, or that I would even trust for that matter. You have to decide primarily what you intend to achieve as a writer before you decide to publish; whether it's fame and fortune, or just to have your own line of books. Anyway, here's one more link that might help out. I'll try to hunt up more as I come across them. If you guys have any questions or anything, post them or PM me. I'll be happy to help out.

So wait, Wizards accepts a lot of no-name authors...

That could explain the lacking quality of some of the post-Weatherlight Magic novels...

How does iUniverse look as a publisher? I'm planning on using them to publish mine when I finish.

ooOoO
 

hey im glad there are so many authors on this forum, i wudnt really expect authors to post on forums i would have thought they would be asking questions elsewhere, but im glad you have :)
I am a young writer and well... im happy :)
Btw: first post, dont be harsh *holds hands in front of face*

Wow, I had no idea there where so many other writers on the forums. Or at least I hadn't really tought about it.

Honestly I'm a bit young (16) and unpracticed to write anything publishable but writing is my passion and practice makes perfect.