I
have exciting news this month. Sorry for the repeat for my awesome
regular readers, but I really want those who are new to Life is Good to know this.
Persistent blogging and making real connections in the blogging
community is valuable. I sold my first story!
Yes,
I have already published my first story, in 2012. You can read about
that here on the April A-Z Challenge blog. However, in MY vocabulary, here's how I define my writing
path:
- WRITER: A person whose passion is writing, must find an outlet for that passion, and writes whenever possible
- AUTHOR, STEP 1: A person who has his or her work published (in whatever format – it's out there for the public to consume) and IT isn't on their own blog, if they have one
- AUTHOR STEP 2: A person who has received monetary compensation for publication
That's
the step I'm on! I haven't defined the rest of the steps. I'm a
pantser with this as well. However, I feel that I've made another
leap towards my ultimate goal (which may have more steps to it than I
think) of publishing a novel.
This is how I ended up published for money. I've made friends with the
awesome Andrew Leon of Strange Pegs
(you
must read his blog, it's so good, so varied, and always sparks
discussion in the comments.) Through Andrew's comments, I met
another amusing blogger, Briane Pagel, who has a lot of blogs. I
started to read and make friends with him.
Briane
decided, and these are his words, “to start a publishing empire”,
and began soliciting stories for his online magazine called “lit”.
I submitted mine for consideration, and get this. HE LIKED IT.
Those were his words: I like it.
You know how wonderful it is to
hear those words, and not from your mom (I love you mom!) or a
relative or friend who is pretty much obligated to praise you, but
from someone STARTING A PUBLISHING EMPIRE and wants to give you cash
moneys for your story!
So
here's my story, if you care to read it. He labeled it eerie
speculative fiction. I was just thinking creepy Twilight Zone, but I
guess that's not a real genre...
So
my point? Make friends out there. Of course, if you'd like
to join Briane's publishing empire, directions for submitting stories
(and almost ridiculously meticulous legal stuff is outlined at
length, but then again, he IS a lawyer, so what do you expect) in
tabs at the magazine. Lit. It's where it's at. It's where I sold
my first story!
~Tina
Alex “Ninja Captain” Cavanaugh is our leader for this wonderful, supportive group. Don't forget we even have our own website now. Be sure to check it out if you haven't already, and "like" our facebook page, too. I'm so impressed with what these talented folks are doing to promote this group! Encouragement month long is now just a click away!
27 comments:
What a brilliant start to the year, Tina. Congratulations and hope it's the start of lots of good things to come for you.
I LOVED your story - it still chills me a little bit, because yes, I'm still thinking about it!
Searching/stumbling upon opportunities is how I started. I subscribed to Writing News and scoured each issue with a red pen and submitted everywhere! The internet has quadrupled those markets!
And that is really awesome Tina! To me, an author is someone who gets paid for his work, and you are definitely there now.
its pretty cool how things all come together you know...the connections we made...and good stuff on being published again...i enjoyed your story as well...i spent mine...the amazon order should be here today....smiles.
Congratulations! This is very good and inspiring news indeed!
Congratulations! That is an amazing achievement.
Woo-hoo! Congratulations on the sale.
Congratulations! Hopefully I'll get to that step sometime soon :)
Such great news!
Congrats and best of luck with it!
Heather
Congratulations!
Hmm...
I will have to think about your steps. We should actually come up with a real definition, after all.
heh heh
I'm awesome. Cool.
Thanks for the nice words!
So far, you ARE my publishing empire. If I could get you to write a story about Tim Tebow, I would be a billionaire and would pay you what your story is worth instead of the pittance I got you to accept.
Keep the stories coming, Tina.
You never know who you are going to come across in this world and virtually it has the potential to open so many doors for us. Congrats.
Good advice. Make friends.
Good advice. Make friends.
Congratulations Tina!
I'm so happy for you.
Best wishes & hugs
(KRAMAR)
Anna
Congratulations Tina!!!! Just the first of many I'm sure! XOXO
It was a very good story. I'd probably be excited if my kids got younger, but I can see how it might freak other people out.
So, live in the glory of your good fortune for a bit. You earned it.
Congrats, that is a great step indeed, especially the getting paid part lol
Congratulations!
You are truly a step 2 author now. Congrats!
Leanne ( http://readfaced.wordpress.com/ )
Congratulations Tina!
This is AWESOME news! Woo-hoo!
Hi Tina,
You know how proud I am of you. Well done and this is further proof that your passion for the written word has realised your first part of an ongoing dream. The next reality beyond your ongoing dream is within your positive reach.
Of course I "like" the page on "Farcebook" you guys dedicated to me. Then I woke up...
Have a happy weekend, Tina.
Gary :)
Congratulations Tina! It always feels so good when you sell a story. Wishing you much success!
Been a awhile here, but my eyes are looking for the feeling again only with a couple of my books, not just my stories. It's work in progress.
Sia McKye Over Coffee
Hey, I have had two poems published over the many years. No remuneration though.
I was so pleased for you selling your story.
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