Comments on: A Guest Post From Deb Caletti: What I Wish I Knew About Getting Published Before It Happened To Me

By: Deb

Deb — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:41:59 +0000

Thanks for your comments – good luck to all of you. And thank you, Jane, too, for your thoughtful response. The Writer’s Digest Guide to Literary Agents was my most trusted source when I began taking the steps toward publication. I refer it to each and every new writer who asks me for advice.

By: Jane Friedman

Jane Friedman — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:25:17 +0000

Speaking as the publisher of Writer’s Digest: excellent advice, Deb! And advice that Writer’s Digest agrees with.

While I think the Writer’s Digest viewpoint is similar to Deb’s, we clearly have some work to do in changing people’s perception of our content and viewpoint.

As much as writers/authors seek that one magic bullet for publishing fame and fortune, it doesn’t exist. And once a book is published (the mythical dream achieved), we find it’s a huge wake-up call for nearly every author–that point when they realize the real work is just starting.

The Writer’s Digest goal is to educate, inform, and to help wherever we can — and align expectations.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:42:38 +0000

Hi Deb,

I have no dreams of glory.
I just want to get published.
1) Not by myself
2) By someone reputable even if they aren’t a well-known publishing house (though well-known would be nice )

I want to be able to hand my family and friends that magazine, or book, and say, “I’m a published author.” or to tell people I’m meeting, “I’m an author. I’ve been published in (by) . . .”

I expect it to be hard work. It’d be nice if it weren’t, but it is. And, as with most creative endeavors, there are a gazillion other people out there who are also competent writers hoping for the same thing I am, so the competition is stiff.

I will keep on keeping on.

By: Launa McNeilly

Launa McNeilly — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:39:23 +0000

Hi Deb, Your words are so true. Once I finished my first book I went on the internet and found an agent. Okay, she says she’s an agent. I paid for a critique, editing a thousand times my self until my brilliant daughter in law took the book and made it right. Phew. I was steered into a joint publishing contract and yes, I have a beautiful hardbound book. It is listed everywhere but basically seen by no one. I did get pity taken on me by my closest Barnes and Noble and they have stocked my book in their store. We are talking just a few but I am ever so grateful. I blog, I converse, I ask questions, and I learn.
My second book is in the hands of my ,ahem, agent and she has been told to farm it out to traditional publishers. I know that is a hit and miss proposition that will probably take years. If ever. So if one thinks they will land a great agent, get a huge check and be published by one of the big time publishers, and then star in the movie they made from your book, God Bless your optimism!! Keep believing, keep writing, and keep your day job! Never give up because just like, Stephen King, Stephanie Meyers, and J.K. Rowling sometimes the stars aline and miracles happen! Let your optimism keep the stories flowing, allow reality to keep you grounded, seek the knowledge to improve your work, and always keep your eyes to the stars.

By: Amy Blogs Chow

Amy Blogs Chow — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:19:16 +0000

Thank you, Deb, for this smack over the head. Gonna stop writing n

By: Suzannah-Write It Sideways

Suzannah-Write It Sideways — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:52:19 +0000

Thanks for this post, Deb. I’ve never had visions of glory and fame from my writing, so I don’t find this kind of information discouraging. In fact, it makes me feel even more grounded in my pursuit. Being a published writer isn’t some magical journey–like you say, it’s a job that takes a lot of work. Still, I’d like to be able to call it my full-time job one day.
Thank you!