How do I get published?

Helen asks:
I'm 25 and I work on a newspaper in the UK and the reason I got into it in the first place is because I wanted to write, pure and simple. My first choice was to be an author but as I thought that would never happen I chose working on a newspaper. As most things don't turn out to be how you expect them (a reporter as I discovered is very different to an author) But through sticking to it I am writing a book at the moment. All I have ever wanted to be was an author and I was wondering if you could give me some advice (with boyproof published and queen of cool coming out soon) about how to even go about getting it published. It is all I have ever wanted and everybody says that phrase to me 'oh you'll do it' without ever really believing it will happen. Dear Helen,

I wonder if you got my email. I tried writing back but my hard drive died recently. Anyway, not a weird question at all. when we are starting out it is difficult to find peers around us who are interested in the same thing.

That would be my first suggestion. Find other writers, hang out with them. Form a writing group. Also, read a lot. Read a lot of the genre you want to write in. And then write a lot. Don't be afraid to send stuff out. Don't be afraid of rejections. Write. Send it out. Write. Sent it out. Rinse, Lather Repeat.

There are books on how to submit, how to write query letters. Go browse through them at bookstores or the library. In the US they are called Writers Market guides. (there is one for kids books, mystery, etc. etc.)) These give you the publishers addresses and also agents addresses.

Don't be afraid. Send your stuff out. Meet other writers. Go to literary events. Mingle. Read your stuff at open lit nights. Meet other writers. Join a writers group. If you write a specific genre, ie. mystery or kids lit or sci fi, join those kinds of associations. Go on writers retreats. Take a class at Uni. write. Write more. Oh and keep writing.

I have a theory that every art form takes about 10 years to arrive, whatever that means to you. Get in line. Wait your turn. And meanwhile, write.

Good Luck Helen. You can do it. Keep your eye on the north star. Don't let anyone tell you you can't do it.

Thanks for checking in on my blog.