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How Do I Get Published? Part 2
Posted by Bruce Hennigan
So some of the readers of this blog took my opening words of the previous blog too much to heart. As I said in that entry, those comments were made to me by a well known publishing editor. They were not aimed at any of my friends. So far, those who have spoken to me about their books are receptive to my suggestions. Jack, you are a good friend and your story was compelling and that is WHY you must write it down as you intend to do.
Let’s face it, when we are striving for recognition for our story (or ourselves) we can sometimes be too full of ourselves! I know this is true of me. I often regale my fellow physicians with my personal stories at the lunch time doctor’s cafeteria. But, I have learned to know when to shut up. It is a very important and useful tool to know when it is time to stop before you go too far. Many, many times less is more!
I go back to my closing statements from last entry. If you want to be published then you have to focus on that one book you are most passionate about and NOTHING else! It is the ONLY way you will finish the task. I wasted twenty years writing various versions of various novels before I learned this lesson. I did not complete my first novel until I was in my forties.
Get on with it! Write it all down and finish it!
Now, to the next hardest task:
EDIT!
Imagine if you will that you want a child. You have dreamed of having your own son or daughter. In your mind, you see yourself playing with that child, watching the child grow, beaming with pride when they graduate and being very happy when they get married and have grandchildren. Such a proud parent!
Read the rest of this entry →Posted in Steel Chronicles
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Tags: Christian publishing, getting published, new author, self editing, self publishing, The Creative Penn, writer
How Do I Get Published, Part 1
Posted by Bruce Hennigan
This is for Jack, who asked me the same question I have been asked many, many times. And, as you will read, I am “guilty” of asking that same question. Nothing wrong with the question. So, here are some of MY answers. Hope this helps.
GETTING YOUR BOOK OUT THERE!
BY BRUCE HENNIGAN
“I want to write a book. How do I get it published?”
Response from an acquisition editor:
“I have lost track how many times I am asked this question on a weekly basis. It is very difficult for me to keep my eyes from glazing over during the ensuing conversation, mostly one sided while the person tries to tell me why they want to write a book, usually about their life, and then proceeds to tell me about their life.
Let me be honest. It’s not that I’m not interested in the other person. I am a people person and I love to hear life stories. It’s just the context of the conversation in a setting of a desire to write a book. Let me be clear. If you want to write a book, then WRITE! Save the storytelling for the book! I’m not trying to be nasty, it’s just we only have so much time in this world and some of those hour long monologues represent an hour of my life I will never get back.”
That sounds pretty arrogant, doesn’t it? These thoughts come not necessarily from me, but from the person I asked that question to. He was a chief acquisition editor for a major publisher and I did indeed make his eyes glaze over. Fortunately, I had enough self awareness to realize what I was doing to this poor man. But, in my defense, it was his day job!
Now, I get that question a lot. I try my best to be patient and not give in to the glazing of the eyes. Most of the time, I succeed but I have learned a great deal about the best way to answer that set of questions. So, to save myself some time and effort, I have written down some thoughts for those who would like to write a book and get published.
Read the rest of this entry →Posted in Steel Chronicles
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Tags: author, book publishing, Independent publishing, self publishing, writer
Bruce Hennigan 