Assistance

[CovenantJr]

Ok, this isn't the usual Hall of Gifts topic; basically, it's a plea for advice and guidance.

I think I will, sooner or later, want to try and get something I've written in print, probably some kind of periodical or similar publication. It'll be something I haven't written yet, so don't fret about my existing stuff not being up to scratch - in fact, I'd appreciate it if we could keep this to advice etc. My writing might be the worst thing you've ever read, but saying so won't affect my resolve to attempt publication.

So... Anyone have any advice, tips, things I should look out for? I have no idea at all...

[Loredoctor]

What I did was send an email to fiction magazine and asked them if they'd accept something. They pointed me in the right direction.

[CovenantJr]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

The rest of you - don't let Loremaster's wisdom stop you offering your own counsel

[Avatar]

Yeah, you just gotta keep on trying. It's hard as hell with unsolicited stuff, but you just keep sending it out.

Luck, lotsa luck man. (And stop worrying about the quality of your stuff.)

--A

[CovenantJr]

Right, so it's a matter of sending stuff to everyone until someone says yes? *sigh* "Gruelling" is the word that comes to mind

What about copyright? If a publication prints one of my...things...will they copyright it? And if so, will I own the copyright or will they? Or should I copyright it first?

[dennisrwood]

have you looked into self-publishing?

[Avatar]

Gruelling is an apt description. Far as I remember, you own the copyright.

--Avatar

[CovenantJr]

have you looked into self-publishing?

The thought has crossed my mind, but I'd just have a book and no distribution, so it doesn't seem like a productive route. Unless you know something I don't...?

[Loredoctor]

What about copyright? If a publication prints one of my...things...will they copyright it? And if so, will I own the copyright or will they? Or should I copyright it first?

You own the copyright. However, I strongly suggest that you post a copy of your work to yourself via registered mail, and do not open it. You retain proof of your work at that date.

[Avatar]

Yeah always a good idea. (Must do it some time. )

--A

[CovenantJr]

Right, I've been looking into this more and I've found a fair selection of possibilities (although it's very frustrating that it's usually frowned upon to send the same piece to more than one publication).

But they all want "first English rights", "electronic rights" and "serial rights". I can take a guess at the meanings of these, but it would be just that - a guess. Anyone know what they are? I could, of course, email the relevant publications, but they all seem somewhat hostile, so I thought I'd ask here first.

[Seareach]

Ok, this isn't the usual Hall of Gifts topic; basically, it's a plea for advice and guidance.

I think I will, sooner or later, want to try and get something I've written in print, probably some kind of periodical or similar publication. It'll be something I haven't written yet, so don't fret about my existing stuff not being up to scratch - in fact, I'd appreciate it if we could keep this to advice etc. My writing might be the worst thing you've ever read, but saying so won't affect my resolve to attempt publication.

So... Anyone have any advice, tips, things I should look out for? I have no idea at all...

Hi Covenant JR:

As I'm in Oz some of this might be different but

1) here in Australia we have a book called "The Australian Writer's Marketplace" and it is a book that comes out annually basically with every Austalian and NZ publisher listed in it. It has details of whether or not they accept unsolicited manuscripts/papers/etc, what their publication is looking for, their address etc etc. It's a writers bible (and it's HUGE). If you could find something similar in the UK I would highly recommend it. Ok...just looked on amazon.co.uk Search under "The Writer's Handbook" by Barry Turner. It seems to be a similar thing to what I'm talking about.

2) Do you have a "fellowship" of writers in the UK: we have "The Fellowship of Australian Writers". Ours has a magazine that comes out 4 times a year and it has competitions listed (entering your stuff for competitions...good competitions that is...is a good way to get started. If you do well in a competition, when you send your piece to other publishers you include your list of everything you've already had published!). They also contact major publishers regularly to find out whether they're accepting unsolicited manuscripts etc. Joining a writing fellowship or something similar is a great way of keeping up to date with what's happening in the writing world.

3) If you're sending short stories/poetry that kind of thing I highly recommend you only send it to *one* publisher at a time and wait for their reply before sending it to anyone else. Putting pressure on potential publishers of your work sometimes gets them slightly annoyed (ie: if you *do* send the same story to more than one publisher you're obliged to tell them you're doing it--it can be most embarrassing if you don't and two different publishers say they're going to publish your story...and if they *really* like your work, they can get REALLY nasty about it). It can be frustrating waiting three months only to be told that they don't want your work...but it's worth the wait if it ends up in acceptance. For novels, sending them to more than one publisher is aok as long as you tell them that's what you're doing (although I'd recommend going through an agent).

4) Copywrite: As Loremaster & Avatar said, you own it BUT if there is any system like in Australia, there is a place that you can lodge your manuscript before it's published (there's a small fee involved; and I can't remember for the life of me what it's called in Australia) which ensures that if any writer tries to plagurise your stuff it's covered. I've heard about what Loremaster has suggested (sending yourself a copy) but it's debatable as to how effective this "evidence" would be if you actually tried to use it in court. Kevin Spacey is someone that used to promote lodging scripts because Hollywood was well known for reading people's scripts saying "no thanks" and then using all the scriptwriters ideas [Sorry, not trying to disagree with you Loremaster!] For short stories and poems etc I wouldn't be that worried about it!

5) Self publishing & distribution: I'm sure on Amazon.com you can actually pay a bit of money and end up with your book listed on their site (and have it cross-referenced to other well known published authors works). I wouldn't do it, but I'm far too lazy!

6) "first English rights" etc are probably what you're thinking they are: if they decide to accept your piece they have the choice to publish it using *all* those mediums (eg: you can't send your piece to that magazine and let them publish it while, at the same time, offering the same story to an electronic publisher). That said, if the publisher who accepts your piece for their magazine turnw around and sayw "we have no intention of publishing it in an electronic medium" etc then you can seek a different publisher for the electronic rights. I think there's usually a time period on these type of arrangements.

Good luck!

[Loredoctor]

Good points, Seareach. You have valid points in regards to my statements.