How would an upcoming writer with no degree in anything get noticed? Where could

1. 59

   eli greyposted 13 years ago

   How would an upcoming writer with no degree in anything get noticed? Where could I go?
   
   I have a ton of stories.  As for the ones that are finished or concepts or ideas, it seems like someone has already done it or is doing it. And yes, I know that everything has been done, but I don't want my original ideas to seem like rip-offs in a few years from now when they finally gets published. I want to get schooling but I also don't want that to cut into the time that I can be using to get my work out there. It's all  a work in progress but I don't want it to be overlooked in the long run. Should I just work harder at finishing my work now, even though my ideas will be stale by then?

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2. 69

   Arthur Windermereposted 13 years ago

   Publish! If you have a ton of stories and they're good, start sending them out to magazines and see what the editors say. Magazine editors don't care if they've heard of you or if you have degrees; they care about if the story is any good. The only way to get noticed is to get published, so that's what you'll have to do. There's a great website called "Duotrope" that lists info on every fiction magazine, print and electronic. Go there and find the magazines that are right for you.
   Regarding originality: it's not the ideas but how you express them that matters. If you have your own voice and your own way of approaching things, it won't matter if the ideas have been done before.

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3. 59

   eli greyposted 13 years ago

   Thanks to the both of you. Also to the both of you, I will check fiction magazines and I will be sure to take a look the the reccommended sites Europe. Btw, I know that it's all about how you express your idea, but sometimes I get discouraged when I hear that movies are being made about the same things that I've written a long time ago.  I will just have to keep writing writing writing.

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4. 61

   Hi-Jinksposted 13 years ago

   Go to writier's conferences. Look up Writing mag at your library.
   Audit college courses.

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5. 79

   Harlan Coltposted 13 years ago

   Eli,
   I have been a publisher of various publications for many years. You are a publishers dream. Find a publisher of a local little newspaper or magazine. Tell them you will provide them with content in exchange to get some articles published. Once you get a couple dozen or more articles published, then you can ask for $35 or so per article. I know it is not much, but it gets you published. Once you build a nice portfolio, then you can ask for more money. Try to find an area of interest and establish yourself as a local professional. Every community needs someone to talk about money, finances, outdoor recreation, real estate, home and garden, movie reviews - the list is long. Keep in mind being an expert in something obscure is not in your favor. No one reading a local publication cares what Spock said in episode 23 of Star Trek. Stick to popular topics of interest and keep writing. Once you are somewhat known, then start promoting your stories. Put them in ebooks for download for .50 cents each. Promote yourself here and on Facebook, Twitter, etc etc.
   
   - Best Wishes
   - Harlan

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