By Chrissy Brown | C.A.A.B. Publishing
Dipping your toe into the world of publishing for the first time can feel like dipping into a pool of piranha. There are plenty of unscrupulous people out there willing to fleece, con or scam a new writer. So many writers end up losing heart and self-publishing, and while this is a great way to go, if it is right for you, there can be advantages to being traditionally published, if you can avoid the pitfalls.
So why should you fight, and work hard to get traditionally published?
Most writers want to publish their writing to share a story, or to know others are reading their ideas. Some even hope to become famous or rich (a much harder ask in the modern world where everyone and his mother has written a book). All this can be done, or at least attempted, through self-publishing but becoming a traditionally published writer can provide many benefits.
Getting traditionally published as a writer can help you, and give your book a pedigree that, rightly or wrongly, can open doors and recommend your work to others.
The hardest part is to get your manuscript accepted, me sure it shines, do your research and only submit if the publishing house or agent is right for you and your work. Do not blanket drop to everyone (only send what is asked and only to those that work in that genre) as this can get you black listed and you may find future manuscripts are ignored or rejected. But once you get accepted, the benefits are pretty interesting.
Firstly, once accepted, you know that your manuscript will be read by an editor, and you will have a chance to improve and hone the work, there could be help with illustrations or cover work. The story can only get improved by all this scrutiny. Your work will look professional and will stand out in a crowded market place.
Being Traditionally published will improve your credibility because it shows that someone has faith in your work. It gives readers a comforting knowledge that your work has been seen by professionals, that it is edited, and that the work has already impressed a company willing to put their name behind it. Getting published as a writer can be a great way to establish yourself as a credible source on a specific subject or in a certain genre.
With your work being backed by a publisher, it is more likely to be accepted into bookshops, placed on mailing lists and mentioned in magazines.
All this hype can increase your public speaking opportunities. Becoming a traditionally published writer can help you establish yourself as ‘someone who knows’ others want to be traditionally published, and you are worth listening to as you have conquered this obstacle.
Being Traditionally published is a great way to increase your fan base. Working with a publisher can provide you with plenty of marketing material and helpful resources to get you reaching out to readers. This can help you cultivate a loyal fan base and could make it easier for you to publish your next book.
The process of being traditionally published can help to develop your professional contacts, you will get to work with editors, literary agents, proof-readers, beta readers, and other professionals in the writing industry who can help you hone your writing skills. It can also be an eye-opening process. Many writers find their work improved by getting traditionally published.
Just please remember that is can be a long and stressful journey, but do not give up and NEVER pay to be published. Research everything carefully and always ask your fellow writers if you are unsure about any service or company. Be safe and keep writing!
Broken Horizons
by Juan Venegas
What if an AI took over the world to guarantee everyone’s happiness but control your every move? What if a mischievous devil saved all your commuting time and gave it back to you at the end of your life? What if a mysterious pandemic forced everyone to stay closer than six feet from each other? It might all end up in tragedy, bliss, or just pure awkwardness.
Broken Horizons brings you fifteen short sci-fi stories about utopia, dystopia, and every scenario in between. Enter a world of mind-bending time travel, meditating robots, and mutations that turn people into the best meal you could ever have. Discover how futuristic technologies and natural disasters awaken our sharpest thoughts, darkest feelings, and bravest actions.
C.A.A.B Publishing
CAAB Publishing Ltd is a traditional, small, indie company helping unknown authors have a voice and inspiring new writers to take that first step into the world of publishing.
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Article originally Published in the Fall 2024 Issue: Global Reads.