How Do I Get Published?

Will I Ever Get Published?

So you’ve worked hard, polished your writing, submitted to magazines, and yet—you’re still unpublished. You might throw your hands up and cry, “What’s it going to take to be published?”

All published writers have experienced rejection. And rejection. And more rejection. It’s a necessary step to get published. The thrill is so much greater when you receive your first acceptance letter or phone call. 

While getting published seems a mystery to aspiring writers, it’s not. No magic formula exists—just good old fashioned hard work and perseverance. 

I’ve blogged about writer education through conferences, books, and online sources. Just as important is time spent in research, both for topics to write about and magazines to submit. One published author I know uses a 1:1 ratio, meaning for every hour she writes, she spends an hour in research. She reads writer’s guidelines to find magazines that fit her writing style or to discover an idea for a new topic. I’m not sure how many other writers would endorse this, but starting out, the ratio looks reasonable, at least until you build a good list of magazines and have queries or manuscripts submitted. 

Regardless of whether your aspiration is to be a novelist and not write for magazines, doing so is important to:

·      Build your credentials.

·      Hone your writing skills.

·      Gain experience working with editors. Along with building credentials, this shows potential book publishers and agents that you have successfully worked with editors in the past.

·      Build your confidence level. Being published on any level fuels future success. Also, if you always have a query or manuscript submitted, it’s harder to give up when a rejection letter comes in. You’ll have hope the pending submission will be accepted.

One concern among unpublished writers is cost. I can remember trying to justify spending $20 for a Writer’s Market guide or for a Writer’s Digest magazine subscription. Now, if you’re willing to log extra time in research, many of the same educational tools or magazine submission guidelines can be found online. 

Below is a link with a couple hundred (maybe more) magazine and book publisher submission guidelines. Don’t be concerned if they’re not a paying market. Remember the objectives above. I can’t vouch for all the media listed, but I have been published with a few, and many are willing to work with new authors.

Christian Writers Submission Information

One example is Christian Devotions. Even if you don’t think you could write a devotion, study their guidelines and see if you can think of an idea to write about. If you want examples, click on my page above “Sampling of Published Articles” for past devotions I’ve written. 

It’s important to read the submission guidelines carefully to discern if what you’ve written will fit the magazine you’re submitting to. Some magazines want query letters first. Often, you’ll get ideas to query about based on a magazine’s mission statement. Be patient as response times vary.

I stumbled upon this video of Stephen King giving writing advice to new authors. I thought you might enjoy it.

Now, I want to hear from you. What was your first published piece?

© Laura Hodges Poole

When God Comes Calling

“When you write for God, and you really mean it, your work may never show up on the shelves at Lifeway. It may never find its way into bound print at all. But when you write for God, when you write with the heart of a servant…you may find that your words are only meant for the guy sitting next to you. If you can accept this…live with it…grasp it…then you can truly write for God.” –Alton Gansky, novelist

Christian writers write to advance the Kingdom—the Great Commission. Some are blessed with commercial success. Others are blessed by reaching the one person God wants them to reach, with little hope of financial gain. Both avenues can fulfill God’s purpose for a writer’s life.

And while there’s nothing wrong with commercial success, it can’t be the goal of a Christian writer’s career.

When I find myself in a discussion about writing, my own personal goals, or how to go about setting goals, I always respond with the following advice:

·         Write for enjoyment. Writing is an art, one that is cathartic and creative.

·         Write for others’ enjoyment and edification. If you’re a Christian writer, this extends to include your spiritual gift or path God is leading you on. This is the step at which you’re trying to get published.

·         Financial gain.

If these three steps get out of order, fulfillment and joy will often lack in your work, and readers will know it.

A Christian writer’s work reflects God’s calling. Often, this includes activities outside the realm of actual writing—and in a support mode.

The writers’ bootcamp hosted by Christian Devotions, which I attended last weekend, reinforced these ideals for me. I got rejuvenated by the other writers and faculty who were passionate about God’s work and their own personal calling.

I’ve shared before that I believe my spiritual gift is encouragement (Romans 12:8). This permeates every aspect of my life—especially my writing. I’m beginning to see it play out in other ways, namely as it relates to the ministry of Christian Devotions.

This ministry was co-founded by two people who listened to God’s call a few years ago. What started with a devotion website has grown to include teen and children’s devotion websites, book publishing, a radio program, and teaching at conferences.

A year ago, I became aware of Christian Devotions and submitted to them. Since then, I’ve had three devotions published with two more upcoming. Last fall, after I received an email from their editor, God spoke to my heart about this ministry. I always pray before I jump, so I waited a couple of days before emailing back to ask if there was something I could do to help. There was.

During the last six months, I’ve assisted with posting devotions to the ministry website.

As I sat in the staff meeting very late on Saturday night, after the conference sessions had ended, I was moved by the way in which God had brought everyone together—an all volunteer staff of more than a dozen folks from around the country, working toward a common goal to publish daily devotions 365 days a year, produce a weekly radio show, and publish books to reach people throughout the world. Each volunteer represented God’s call which led them to Christian Devotions, and ultimately, in service for Him through this ministry.

I don’t know what the future holds in my writing journey, but I can tell you this: I’m excited!

Accidents aren’t part of the Great Commission. Divine calls are. He guides and equips us. It’s up to us to be sensitive to the call when it comes.

I’d like to hear about your writing journey. Please leave a comment and tell me how God has touched your life to further His Kingdom work.

Confident Prayer

I shared last week my plans to attend a writer’s conference over the weekend. Though the experience was physically exhausting, I left Asheville rejuvenated in my spirit and my writing.

The faculty gave us much to ponder. The co-founder of Christian Devotions, who hosted the conference, encouraged and empowered us by reminding us of God’s sovereignty and availability.

My interpretation of his message is one reason we don’t get God’s help is because—perhaps—deep inside, we don’t believe we will.

There’s no magic formula or “good enough” mountaintop achievement to access God. You don’t have to be Moses or Elijah. Jesus changed everything by his appearance in the world.

So why don’t Christians have more courage in their expectations? Why don’t we approach the throne room of God (Hebrews 4:16) with confidence?

“The reason some of us are such poor examples of Christianity is that we have failed to recognize that Christ is almighty. We have Christian attributes and experiences, but there is no abandonment or surrender to Jesus Christ.”~Oswald Chambers

God asked Solomon in 1 Kings 3:5, what He could do for him. We all know the answer. Solomon wanted wisdom. He received it and so much more. Jesus posed the same question to Bartimacus, a blind man, in Mark 10:51, “What do you want me to do for you?” Read the passage. Bartimacus cried out and surrendered to the sovereignty of God. Jesus couldn’t ignore his pleas.

Perhaps our expectations are low due to failure to acknowledge that Christ is almighty. We haven’t completely surrendered to God’s authority for total control over the issues we pray about. We want our answers—not His.

Regardless of your goals or problems you’re praying about, God wants to help you. Embrace His sovereignty in every aspect of your life. This might be a scary concept, one that in our human condition leaves us quaking, but remember this passage from Joshua 1:9:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”