There are many people out there whose dream is to become a published author. There is a lot of debate about self publishing and how that is not true publishing, while others seem to think that is the best way to go nowadays. Who is right? That is the question.
If you ask me, I think that there is a lot of TRUE talent but not enough resources to discover these new authors. Nowadays, Agents are bombarded with thousands of unsolicited manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts are not even the type these Agents are looking for. I also think that because of these many unsolicited manuscripts, chances of getting discovered have been diminished for the TRUE emerging talent. The cold hearted truth is that Agents do not want to see anything they did not request, so why waste time, effort and money sending a manuscript to someone who's not even going to return it but just toss it in a trash can?
Have you ever browsed the internet looking for a book on a specific genre? Or, have you ever gone to a book store and found yourself reading the cover or synopsis in a book and then thought what the heck is this? It's happened to me several times. Publishing a good book is the same as finding a great song to play on the radio that thousands of people will hear. Haven't you ever heard a song that's made you think, and that's music? How can people call that music? That shouldn't even be played on the radio? It is exactly the same as with a book. Some books should never be published, and many times it is because of those bad books that good chances are ruined for the GREAT books.
The other day I was putting together my Books page and came across (totally by chance) Authonomy. According to their FAQs, this is a "writers community helping writers get published." How true this is I do not know yet. I did, however, create an account so I could access some of the manuscripts that people have posted and read the comments that other writers give each other. It looks decent and like a true community. I personally have a few stories I'd like to post to see what other writers have to say about mine. If you are looking to become published, perhaps that is another avenue to look at. A warning I must give you though is to ensure you have copyrighted your material. I have copyrighted mine, you know just in case. Authonomy looks like a promising site, they do not promise you anything but it is a good way of learning by other writers and readers how good a writer you are. I know, personally I am curious about my own writing.
Going back to my earlier comment, I really think that the old fashioned way is the best way to go if you want to become a published author. Let an Agent discover you, because that means you are a TRUE talent.
If you ask me, I think that there is a lot of TRUE talent but not enough resources to discover these new authors. Nowadays, Agents are bombarded with thousands of unsolicited manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts are not even the type these Agents are looking for. I also think that because of these many unsolicited manuscripts, chances of getting discovered have been diminished for the TRUE emerging talent. The cold hearted truth is that Agents do not want to see anything they did not request, so why waste time, effort and money sending a manuscript to someone who's not even going to return it but just toss it in a trash can?
Have you ever browsed the internet looking for a book on a specific genre? Or, have you ever gone to a book store and found yourself reading the cover or synopsis in a book and then thought what the heck is this? It's happened to me several times. Publishing a good book is the same as finding a great song to play on the radio that thousands of people will hear. Haven't you ever heard a song that's made you think, and that's music? How can people call that music? That shouldn't even be played on the radio? It is exactly the same as with a book. Some books should never be published, and many times it is because of those bad books that good chances are ruined for the GREAT books.
The other day I was putting together my Books page and came across (totally by chance) Authonomy. According to their FAQs, this is a "writers community helping writers get published." How true this is I do not know yet. I did, however, create an account so I could access some of the manuscripts that people have posted and read the comments that other writers give each other. It looks decent and like a true community. I personally have a few stories I'd like to post to see what other writers have to say about mine. If you are looking to become published, perhaps that is another avenue to look at. A warning I must give you though is to ensure you have copyrighted your material. I have copyrighted mine, you know just in case. Authonomy looks like a promising site, they do not promise you anything but it is a good way of learning by other writers and readers how good a writer you are. I know, personally I am curious about my own writing.
Going back to my earlier comment, I really think that the old fashioned way is the best way to go if you want to become a published author. Let an Agent discover you, because that means you are a TRUE talent.
SHARE
