Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Published: Tip #1--Easiest Way

I'm a writer. It took months of rejections before I finally got a short story published. It took years of rejections before I finally got a book published. Because I'm not famous yet, it is now taking eons to figure out a way to be invited onto the Oprah show. Maybe I need to get thin? Maybe I need to do something crazy to get noticed? I did come in 1st place (two times!) in a pie eating contest, and my essay, "My Life as a Writer," did win an award from an organization that is now defunct, but I guess that isn't enough. If you have advice to share, a question to ask, or want to say something nice, please post a comment. If you want my publishing tips and tries at getting thin and famous in your inbox once in a while, sign up for my newsletter. If you actually want to follow my blog, please click on the "Follow" button on the bottom right so I can look popular--maybe that will get the Oprah people to notice me!
Lisa
(P.S. I do have a good reason for wanting to get famous and invited on Oprah--I am working to prevent disabilities caused by congenital CMV.)

Tip#1
The easiest way to get your words into print is to submit letters to the editor (don’t forget to include your hometown when you do) and to submit stories to those free weekly newspapers and monthly magazines you see lying around. They are short staffed and welcome free stories with a good photo or illustration (thoroughly caption your image and only send them work that won’t violate anyone’s copyright).

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Tip: To start getting more notoriety, one thing new authors can do is to do radio shows or even start one of their own! There are numerous shows out there and if you have an interesting book topic and are willing to dispense good, helpful info to the listeners you could be a guest. If you don't want to do that, just do your own podcasts and post them on your site/blog and send to your email list. It helps would-be readers of your books to start to get to know you. Plus, you can talk up your books as much as you please! K. Moehr, Success in 30! Marketing http://www.moehr-associates.com

Catherine Wofford said...

I love your title! It is so catchy you have to read the rest! Keep up the good work and I am feeling like Oprah will knock on your door!

April said...

Hi Lisa, so glad to see you are continuing your journey with writing. I love reading your stories and looking forward to reading your blog.

You may remember me as the mom to a child with epilepsy who contacted you about writing a children's book. Well after 1 1/2 years (which is quite embarassing) we have submitted the manuscript to two publishers. I'm sure I will have better empathy when I receive my rejection letters. Take care.
-April

Mary Marino said...

Lisa - I just wanted to say - good luck with trying to get on Oprah. You know if there is ever anything I can do to help you just holler!! Hope to see you soon.

Unknown said...

This is a poem I wrote when inspired by something you said.
-------------------------------
We shouted it from the mountaintops...
And you looked at us with pity and said "what are those people shouting about?"

We paraded our children in front of you, so you could see the damage this disease does...
And you looked at us with pity, you judged us and you shunned us.

We asked the medical community to provide you with the information...
And some allowed us to put pamphlets in the office, some told us we were misinformed, but none aggressively provided you with this necessary information.

We turned to the queen of talk, the big O thinking that she could get through to you...
And she turned her back on us.

Some of you said that it was God's will...
Never seeing that God sent us as messengers.

What will it take to make you believe?

Lynn said...

Your "How to Get Published" workshop at SUNY Rockland Community College was an engaging, well-prepared,and useful presentation. enjoyed by all. I'm sure your appearance on Oprah will be the same. (Hope my optimism brings you luck.)