I did a story telling presentation of Traits of a Hero for a SF/F convention that took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, in May. While there, I had the opportunity to attend some other panels. Here are the notes I took on how to get published. I hope they will be of use to aspiring and experienced writers.

– In the past writing short fiction for magazines was a good way for editors to get to know your work, now that there are fewer magazines this is not as much the case.
– More authors are moving to smaller presses or they self-publish.
– Small press often caters the nitch markets.
– When you write, do your best work. Not only to be well edited but other aspects of good writing.
– EBooks is a good way to reintroduce out of print books
– eBooks require more effort from the author.
– Some authors will earn money to get their book through a feature on the internet called Kick Starter (where people are invited to invest in your project and they get something in return)
– Hire an editor that is devoted to other things then copy editing and editing. They need to have the ability to analyze content. This may not be the same editor that does grammar etc.
– If you hire an editor, chose one works in the field you write, they need to know the genera and its tropes.
– Often first stories and books are not very good. Writers get better by writing.
– Good research sources: science for kids, documentaries.
– Attend writers’ conferences where editors and agents attend. Often the convention will schedule time for attendees to have a 5 minute one on one with an editor for a fee.
– Be ready to give a one sentence clear and precise line that introduced your book.
– Don’t try to hit an editor or agent up for a read while they’re in the bathroom. (That’s been done before—that’s a definite no no.
– How to get past writing requirements of publishers who say ‘no unsolicited manuscripts’. You can send queries to as many editors/agents as you want. If the agent/editor expresses an interest that query response becomes a solicited manuscripts and you can submit your work.
– Networking matters = people can tell when others are making friends to use them, or to be genuine friends.
– Show courtesy to all you interact with.
– Don’t write long letters to agents/editors be precise and to the point.
– Submit every quarter to Writers of the Future contest, if you win to the level that you are invited to the one week workshop, you will have a lot of people interested in meeting you.
– Also check out Clarian workshop or other writing workshops.