A Writers Community: What Direction Do You Take?

In continuing with the theme of writing and self-publishing this week, I wanted to share more information on additional resources for support and guidance in navigating the writing community. As a writer, support is a key component to success, as it can be a long and arduous road. And in any industry, community is a necessity to survive.

Here are a few links to review:

Playwriting

National Alliance for Musical Theatre

Keep Writing

As well, I have been dabbling with an idea for a potential children’s book geared towards dance. Since researching self-publishing options, I have been sparked with new passion for writing and ready to get my scribbled, or locked up, ideas out into full visualization. However, there can be pros and cons with self-publishing.

Taking the route of self-publishing can prove to be quite costly and you will want to ensure you have an idea the market needs in order to sell. Even if you chose a site to help self-publish and get to keep all revenue, the upfront cost can be quite expansive. Yes, the traditional route of publishing may seem easier cost wise in comparison with self-publishing, but going the traditional route can prove just a tedious. There is a complete process writers and authors go through to get their work published, and can take years before seeing the fruits of their labor. Traditionally, a writer has to research the various literary agents available, and then prepare a query letter to get the agent interested. Once you get an agent interested, it’s about shopping your work to publishing houses through the means of well-prepared book proposal. If a publishing house is interested, then it’s the process of rewrites, edits, rewrites, edits, and so on until all parties involved feel they have a New York Times success ready for print. In the end, as new and unknown writer, you may not even have full control over your creativity and work, because of the different involved in helping bring the book to life wanting their share. Whew! It’s all a process, and which route is best is up to you and your needs.  

Thanks for reading,

LaKesha, xo