Good to be back on my blog after some needed time off for refection and renewing of the mind. My journey to become published has been a challenging learning experience. I am fortunate to have found numerous online podcasts as well as helpful information provided by successful authors along my way. After my last blog I decided to seek out professional writing organizations with membership feedback. I was hoping to find a local writers group that meets in person periodically but found that many of us apparently are not over our fear of the Corona Virus enough to resume those types of gatherings. My hope is that fear will dissipate soon. What I did find is a group called the Independent Book Publishers Associations (IBPA). As you browse my webpages you will notice the addition of the IPBA proud member logo to some of my pages.The IBPA provides for connections between members and the publishing industry. Those connections include not only publishers but publishing services such as editing, illustration, cover design, etc. Joining the IBPA gave me access to IBPA’s members-only discussion forums, a subscription to IBPA Independent – a bi-monthly magazine filled with practical advice, targeted annual conference, vendor discounts, free webinars, and more.
During my blog break I received my first rejection notice for poems submitted to a poetry journal for inclusion in their publication. The reason they gave was that the poems did not fit the bold, weird style of poetry they are looking for.
During my blog break I received my first rejection notice for poems submitted to a poetry journal for inclusion in their publication. The reason they gave was that the poems did not fit the bold, weird style of poetry they are looking for.
Not one to be deterred from submitting poems, I submitted poem’s in the Writers Digest Annual Writing Competition. One poem was entered in the non-rhyming poetry category, and another in the rhyming category. While I am hopeful that my poems will when an award, it will be beneficial to see how the process works and to receive feedback on my writing from Writers Digest. I am excited to see the results and announce them in my Nov/Dec Blog. Keep your fingers crossed.
Along the way I submitted and received stated interest on my 2 children’s picture books from two vanity publishers. Although this is still a valid option especially for a first time author like myself my resources tell me I may be better off financially taking my time and contracting needed services such as editors, and illustrators myself.
I also received some positive feed back from a hybrid publisher and am still waiting for a response as to their contract offer.
Last and certainly not least I have received a contract offer from an international Hybrid publisher with a presence in the U.S and some European English speaking countries. As I have shared in previous blog posts a literary agent, or attorney should review the contract prior to signing. Since I have no literary agent at this time, I have sought out an experienced literary attorney to review the contract and give feedback on whether or not it is in my best interest to move forward with the agreement.
I’d like to breathe a heavy sigh of relief. I mean, I have received my first contract offer and all. My Journey to become published however is ongoing. If I decide to move forward with the current contract offer there is still matters of editing, cover design, illustration, and final edit approval before print and distribution, just to name a few. Then there is the process still left ahead of seeking publication for my other works.
Now it’s time to write!