Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/1-u-s-dollar-banknote-lot-259191/

Many new authors are encouraged to write articles, blog posts, and short stories, even novels for free-to get their name ‘out there’, to build a following. That’s good if you have nothing on your resume other than a still-wet college diploma or years of non-writing related jobs.

Nope, Not Me

While my website might not look all fancy schmancy (it’s a work in progress), my resume is not bare. I am the co-author of three traditionally published books, Blonde OPS, Sirenz, and Sirenz Back in Fashion, (you can find more about them on my My Books page), and numerous magazine and newspaper articles, blog posts, and several short stories. Additionally (if you haven’t read my bio here or elsewhere, I have given writing workshops at NJ SCBWI conferences, libraries, schools, and book events. And if you really haven’t paid attention (or are new here), I recently finished my MFA in creative writing with a professional writer certification. I can also include three independently published books, my Evolution Revolution trilogy (info also on My Books page. Also note that there is a Teachers Resources page for use in the classroom).

I’m not a beginner or amateur.

I refuse to start from the beginning. The only writing I do for free is for blogs like Smack Dab in the Middle ( https://smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com/ )which is geared toward middle grade readers, teachers, writers, and those interested in writing for that age, and YA Outside the Lines ( https://yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/ )which is geared toward young adult writing aficionados. I only do those blogs, and my own, with the occasional short story for charitable purposes, for free. Not going to put a serialized novel on Wattpad or other venues.

So What’s Next?

My goal, to publish more books, can be achieved in two ways: the traditional way and the independent way. I choose to go traditional because I like the advantages that come with it: better access to bookstores, libraries, festivals, sometimes free publicity, and awards. That means lots of querying. Since finishing my MFA, querying isn’t as horrendous for me. Query letters, pitches, synopses, bios, and listing comps don’t give me agita with trying to get it perfect (I still strive, but that’s what authors are supposed to do). Short stories must have some form of payment to me, even if it’s only a token amount and no, I won’t pay them to submit my story.

While there’s no set time limit on submitting my work to agents and editors, there may come a time when I would rather independently publish before I perish from the earth. You know the saying, “Time waits for no one.” Getting my books published is a lifetime passion, a goal that I can’t give up. Some have said, “You’ve been published. Why work so hard now?” Because I have a lot of stories to tell, that’s why.

Photo by SHVETS production: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-green-long-sleeve-dress-holding-white-book-8933990/

Next time, I’ll share a short story- yes, for FREE!!