Press Enter!

Two years ago I pressed enter and submitted my first story to Dreamspinner.

The end.

That’s what I did, what more do you need to know?

Why did I decide to take the plunge and see if anyone would publish my writing? Ah, well, that is because I saw my friends getting published, and thought if they can do it, I can. I haz skillz.

Two years, many more stories, and I still get the wibbles whenever I press enter. But I also get that thrill running through me—look at me, I have created this!

I am not creative at all. I can’t cook, sew, knit, paint, photoshop, garden—anything at all. But I can write. More to the point, some people like my writing enough to fork out their hard-earned cash. Thank you, dear readers. If I could hug each one of you I would.

So… I have suggestions for people who want to get published. They are simple, and in Sue style, very easy to follow.

1.       Write the damn book.

2.       Finish the damn book.

No, I’m not kidding how many people tell me they want to get published but the book is either still in their head, or worse, half-written. You have a story that’s taking up space in your head. Get it written and finished, and then you might have room for another story. The world won’t see how brilliant your story is unless you finish it. I am begging you (and by you, I am specifically aiming this at the double glazing surveyor), FINISH the damn BOOK!!

          3.       Find the publisher that suits your genre.

Seriously, it is no use sending your book about sailing to a romance publisher. They won’t read it and more to the point you’ve wasted your valuable time.

4.       Read the submission guidelines.

Now this may seem obvious. And yes, they scared the living daylights out of me when I first looked at the various sites. All the publishers have their own guidelines. Unfortunately, one size doesn’t fit all. So, taking a deep breath, read them, and if you need help, ask a friend. I had a friend *waves to RJ*. Once you’ve sent a few stories off to various publishers, they aren’t half as scary anymore.

5.       And finally, once your story is formatted, and you have the blurb PRESS ENTER!!

Good grief, why is your story still sitting there? Press ENTER. Have a glass of wine if you need to work up some courage, but do it. The world will never read your story unless you press enter.

So have I said anything you haven’t read a hundred times before? Of course not. But I have shown you that becoming an author is as simple as that. Okay, I haven’t discussed rejections/editing/cover art/royalties/promotion and all the myriad details that also take up my time. But that isn’t important here.

What is important is you, and your creation. Because readers like me want to read your book so PRESS ENTER.

 Sue's Giveaway

Leave your name here on my blog and you can have your pick of a book from my catalogue. Scan the list on the right-hand side and, if possible, let me know which one and the format in your comment.

THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO JULIANA.

This blog is part of RJ Scott's Anniversay Blog Hop.  Go to her post for all the other wonderful authors participating this weekend.