Wednesday, January 8, 2014

IWSG: I Sold My First Story!



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:

Suzanne Furness said...

What a brilliant start to the year, Tina. Congratulations and hope it's the start of lots of good things to come for you.

Annalisa Crawford said...

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!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

And that is really awesome Tina! To me, an author is someone who gets paid for his work, and you are definitely there now.

Brian Miller said...

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.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! This is very good and inspiring news indeed!

Murees Dupè said...

Congratulations! That is an amazing achievement.

Murees Dupè said...
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Murees Dupè said...
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Isis Rushdan said...

Woo-hoo! Congratulations on the sale.

Laura Clipson said...

Congratulations! Hopefully I'll get to that step sometime soon :)

Heather M. Gardner said...

Such great news!
Congrats and best of luck with it!

Heather

Mary said...

Congratulations!

Andrew Leon said...

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.

Briane said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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.

shelly said...

Good advice. Make friends.

shelly said...

Good advice. Make friends.

Unknown said...

Congratulations Tina!
I'm so happy for you.
Best wishes & hugs
(KRAMAR)
Anna

JoJo said...

Congratulations Tina!!!! Just the first of many I'm sure! XOXO

Rusty Carl said...

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.

Pat Hatt said...

Congrats, that is a great step indeed, especially the getting paid part lol

Liz Rice-Sosne said...

Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

You are truly a step 2 author now. Congrats!
Leanne ( http://readfaced.wordpress.com/ )

Michelle Wallace said...

Congratulations Tina!
This is AWESOME news! Woo-hoo!

klahanie said...

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 :)

~Sia McKye~ said...

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

Jo said...

Hey, I have had two poems published over the many years. No remuneration though.

I was so pleased for you selling your story.