So, you wanna be a writer? 
I have three pieces of advice I give to every writer who wants to get published.
1 – You need to keep working at the craft of writing and doing a lot of it. Even multi-published, award winning authors are always trying to learn. Make growing as a writer a habit.
2 – Pick up a copy of one or all of these:
- Christian Writers Market Guide
- The Writer’s Market Guide (mainstream)
- Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market
You can buy all of these at Borders, Barnes and Noble, or on Amazon. These books give you a current listing of publishers, genres, and contact information. You can look up your genre and find a list of publishers looking for the kinds of things you write. You’ll want to double check at the publisher and agency websites though, to be sure you get the most up-to-date information.
3 – Then it’s time to make a real investment. Attend a writers conference. Nothing will move you ahead faster in this business than attending a conference because this is where you learn the ropes about submitting proposals, learn about the current industry trends, and meet editors face to face. Most successful writers will tell you that they got their first break in publishing at a writers conference.
Christian Writing Conferences
If you want to write for kids or teens, then join Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and attend their conferences as well. They hold both national and regional conferences.
Helpful Websites
My Book Therapy
Wanna be Published?
Steve Laube’s Links
Where the Map Ends – especially helpful for you sci-fi/fantasy writers out there.
Gail Martin’s helpful tips
Helpful Organizations:
American Christian Fiction Writers
Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators
Christian Writers Guild
Books Every Writer Should Own
The Elements of Grammar (Margaret Shertzer)
The Elements of Style (Strunk & White)
How to Write Irresistible Query Letters (Lisa Collier Cool)
Plot & Structure (James Scott Bell)
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers (Browne & King)
For Screenwriters
Story (Robert McKee)
The Hollywood Standard (Chris Riley)
You can also check out these pages for more info:
Writing Fiction
Writing Non-Fiction
Writing for Kids & Teens
Teen Writers
