As a writer, I’m often asked the question: “How can I get my work published?”
I actually believe that there are other, more important questions for would-be writers to explore.
How do I continuously improve my writing skills? Where are the best venues to network? How do I professionally position myself with editors and publishers? Consider these activities critical to building your professional brand and getting published.
Improve Your Skills
Like in any professional field, writers need to keep themselves informed about industry trends while honing their own skills. As local thriller author and travel writer Don Helin said, “Writing is an art, but publishing is a business.”
Check out local college-level writing classes through HACC or four-year universities. Karen Hendricks, owner of Hendricks Communications, recommended pursuing a degree in communications or journalism.
“Communications is an important and underrated skill,” she said. “It’s an excellent investment, no matter your field.”
Explore the resources at your local library. Locally, Camp Hill’s Fredericksen Library is a programming powerhouse for writing courses. Local publisher/author Bill Peschel, who broke into writing through newspapers, found free Gale courses at the Hershey Public Library. He cited a particularly eye-opening class by author Steve Alcorn on how the three-act structure works with the scene-and-sequel method.
Horror writer and Sunbury Press editor Cathy Jordan has facilitated classes at both libraries. She also recommended “A Novel Idea,” a monthly series of workshops through Perry County Council of the Arts. Published authors and other industry professionals facilitate the sessions.
You’ll also find concentrated workshops and lectures on writing, publishing and pitching your work at writers’ conferences. Ayleen Gontz helps organize the annual, statewide Pennwriters conference, which covers all genres and skill levels.
“The conference features New York City agents and editors, so it’s worth investing your weekend,” she said. “If you volunteer to help, you can spend extra time networking with them.”
Networking
Through networking at literary events, you will make valuable connections that can help further your goals. Hendricks, who writes for several area publications, stays in touch by attending publications’ staff meetings and social events.
“You have to be intentional about networking with other writers,” she said. “The energy from other writers connects you with opportunities and nurtures your career.”
Jordan recommended joining the writing association focused on your genre and attending their conventions.
“A writers’ convention is the perfect venue to learn something new,” she said. “They have great classes, and the new friends and contacts you make can point you in the right direction for your genre.”
Critique groups meet regularly to review each other’s works in progress and offer feedback and mentoring.
Novelist Dennis Royer has been active in critique groups for almost two decades. He cited three considerations for getting the most out of the experience. Find a group that has a variety of experience levels and genres, that has members who give genuine and honest feedback, and that runs like a business meeting.
“You’re attending to learn how to write better, so you want honest feedback from attendees who are there to learn,” he said. “It shouldn’t just be a social gathering where you’re looking for pats on the back.”
If no local network resonates with your style and schedule, find one online.
“You don’t have to be an extravert, but you do have to find your network,” Jordan said.
Getting Started
Although there is no one path for writing careers, writers tend to be more collaborative and supportive rather than competitive.
“It’s not only about selling books, but building a community,” Helin said.
Popular ways to establish yourself are through your career, professional associations and volunteer work.
“My advice is to just write,” Royer said. “Don’t worry about how bad your writing might be. Everyone starts somewhere. Join a critique group, and attend conferences and workshops.”
The more you absorb feedback while you network, the better your writing—and the better you’ll be able to tell your story in a way that only you can tell it.
“There isn’t one perfect way of telling a story,” Peschel said. “How you best tell it is your own voice. There’s nothing magical about it.”
Finding a mentor is another part of a good start, and that relationship will help you grow your writing. Through the local PA Horror Writers Association chapter, Jordan found her mentor—a Bram Stoker Award winner!
Susan Ryder, a feature writer and communications professional for two local churches, advised beginning writers to “talk to people, ask questions, and introduce yourself to people.”
At first, you may not have your own ideas about writing topics, but that’s OK.
“Be willing to write what an editor needs, even if it may not interest you,” Ryder said. “It will give you practice and offer opportunities to pitch stories.”
Once you feel confident, try pitching to local venues. Make sure you’re aligning with the “flavor” of the publication. Ryder suggested studying a few back issues to help tailor your pitch.
Try entering contests. It’s an excellent way to garner a title.
Janet Cincotta maintains a weekly blog to keep her memoir-writing on track. In 2015, she won the Central PA Magazine short story contest. Conferences also hold writing contests.
Listening to critiques and working with editors requires a thick skin.
“Expect feedback and story edits, and listen to your editor,” Ryder said.
And, if your work is turned down, don’t take it too hard, Jordan advised.
“Although rejection sucks, don’t take it personally,” she said. “Sometimes, those letters have good advice.”
And don’t let all this intimidate you.
“If you have a story to tell, don’t let it go untold,” Royer said.
Writer Resources
Critique Groups
Pennwriters Area 5 Critique Group
4th Wednesday, 6 p.m.
Foundation Hall
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
Contact: Carrie Jacobs at carrieinpa@gmail.com
Gettysburg Writing Brigade
Every Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
O’Rourke’s Eatery
44 Steinwehr Ave., Gettysburg
Contact Jim Rada at jimrada@yahoo.com
Children’s Book Writers Critique Group
3rd Wednesday, 2 p.m.
New Cumberland Area Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
Write On
2nd Saturday of every month, 10:30 a.m.
New Cumberland Area Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
Contact Sue Kerr at 717-802-2594
Midtown Writers Group
3rd Sunday of every month, 1 p.m.
Midtown Scholar Bookstore
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
www.Midtownscholar.com
Mechanicsburg Creative Writing
3rd Saturday, 7 p.m.
212 E. Locust St., Mechanicsburg
Non-Fiction Authors Association Central PA Chapter
2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Spire AVL Studios
99 Garden Parkway, Carlisle
www.nonfictionauthorsassociation.com
The Genuine Writer
2nd and 4th Thursday, 6 p.m.
Whole Foods Market
1563 Fruitville Pike, Lancaster
Central PA Writers Workshop TM
2nd and 3rd Sunday
Check meetup app for roving location
Lancaster Christian Writers
3rd Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.
Lancaster Alliance Church
210 Pitney Rd., Lancaster
www.Lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com
Literary Meetings
Nathaniel Gadsden’s Spoken Word Café
Most Fridays, 7 p.m.
Midtown Scholar Bookstore
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
www.Midtownscholar.com
Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel
Thursdays, 7 p.m.
Midtown Scholar Bookstore
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
www.Midtownscholar.com
Central PA Romance Writers
1st Saturday, 10:30 a.m.
Simpson Public Library, Mechanicsburg
www.Cprw.rwa.org
Conferences
Pennwriters Conference (all genres)
Annual conference in May
www.pennwriters.org/conferences
Hippocamp Conference (creative non-fiction)
Annual conference in August
www.hippocamp.hippocampusmag
Lancaster Christian Writers
Annual conference 1st Saturday in April
www.Lancasterchristianwriterstoday.blogspot.com
Catholic Writers Guild Conference
Annual conference in summer
www.Catholicwritersguild.org
The Write Stuff
Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group
Annual conference in March
www.greaterlehighvalleywritersgroup.wildapricot.org
Adult Ed Classes (non-university)
Perry County Council of the Arts
A Novel Idea
1st Saturday starting in March
Landis House
67 N. 4th St., Newport
www.perrycountyarts.org/a-novel-idea
Gale writing courses at the Hershey Public Library
www.Hersheylibrary.org
Writing classes at the Fredericksen Library
www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/FRE
