It was with interest and some skepticism that I read the Clarion’s Oct. 7 article on Lore Hollow publishers, offering some amazing new path to authorial success for the low, low price of $250, as the article doesn’t say, but is hidden on their Web site.
Ah, if only it were so simple. As vice-president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and head of two writers’ workshops, I see thousands of aspiring writers navigating perils toward publication. Yes, it’s hard. Few books written will get published. However, it’s not because editors won’t read them; new authors sell novels all the time. It’s often that they’re simply in the realm of okay, but don’t stand out enough to make the cut. Thus, my first rule of thumb: practice. Improve your craft by writing, studying and critiquing and being critiqued (though I do recommend diplomatic critiquing, not brutal honesty).
Then you can apply my second rule of thumb: persistence. Good, salable works do find publishers. If you have a well written piece, submit it tirelessly and network in the industry; repeat until sold. Finding that publisher may not be simple, but steer clear of any that ask for money.
Thus, my third rule of thumb for writers: Money flows toward the author, not away. Beware promises of literary glory “If only you’ll pay the minimal fee of…” That’s not how it works.
Professional publishers pay authors what’s called an advance of many thousand dollars up front because they know how to get books read. Agents are similar: they take a cut after they’ve sold your book. Short story sales differ a bit, but generally the higher the payment, the more reputable the publisher.
Grumblings about large multinational corporations aside, a key function of a publisher is to get your book visibility before a very large number of people, some small percent of whom will buy it.
A publisher unable to make payroll on book sales alone means one who won’t get your book out to readers.
To avoid sharp operators who prey on the ignorance and hopes of new authors, I recommend visiting Writer Beware, at www.sfwa.org/beware and Preditors & Editors, at www.anotherealm.com/prededitors. For more general writing tips, I suggest www.critique.org/lib.html. I’m glad to answer any questions students might have
