As a child I wrote all the time. A passion for the power of the word born initially out of reading, and being read to by my mother, translated into writing stories, plays, and poetry. My obsession persists to this day. However, as I begin to make forays into the world of publishing I quickly realized that nothing in my academic career had prepared me to submit my work to publishers, find an agent, or prepare a piece for publication. I had the rock star dream of being “discovered” by a famous agent and catapulted into the world of international fame, dining with Stephen King and partying with Joss Whedon. But dreams are not reality and, in reality, I had no idea how to even get my work into a venue where I could be discovered.
Don’t Reinvent the Wheel
The best way to learn how to do anything is to ask someone who’s been successful for advice. Additionally, when we meet and speak with people they often give us contacts in addition to helpful hints. It’s called networking! The world of publishing is as about whom one knows in addition to what one does.
The Work is Worth It
I published my first piece of fiction in 2007. I did it the old fashioned way – by submitting my work to every journal that would take unsolicited pieces by unknown authors and receiving hundreds of rejections before my work finally paid off. Now, wiser through experience, I know that I could have saved myself a lot of time (and the heartache that comes with rejection) if I had picked the brains of a few key people like Tim Ward ahead of time. There is a method to the madness of pursuing a career in authoring. And there are people who can help. All you need is the opportunity to ask.
Author and Publisher Discusses Publishing Process
Tim Ward authors books and runs a small publishing house. He visited the Boulder County Campus of Front Range Community College a couple of years ago promoting Savage Breast: One Man’s Search for the Goddess. He will return this May to promote his latest book Zombies of Kilimanjaro: A Father-Son Journey above the Clouds. Tim will be reading from his book, answering questions about the writing and publishing process, and sharing information future writers will want to know.
The event will be on Tuesday, May 1st in the Community Room of the Boulder County Campus, located in Longmont at 2121 Miller Drive. Tim will begin his reading at 6:00 p.m. and take questions until 8:00 p.m.
