Must you have an English degree to be published?

Actually, publishers don't care whether you have a degree! All they really care about is whether your writing is good and whether they can sell your book. I do have an English degree and think it was a valuable experience, especially the critique classes, but it's absolutely not necessary to get published. Think about Christopher Paolini--he hadn't even started college when someone decided to publish Eragon. He's an exception, of course, but it just goes to show that you don't need any kind of degree to be published.

Hey friend. A degree isn't needed to become a writer. If you can write, just write. Do you know that there is one writer that i know who became very popular with his novel which he made inside the prison cell? He doesn't have a degree but he wrote something that made it big in the market.

Perhaps you need to consider submitting your work to some of the smaller publishing companies? I find it odd that an english degree would be a prerequisite to getting published. Those companies insisting on that are definitely missing out on a lot of great works.

I don't think you need a degree in English or Creative Writing to become a writer. I doubt that it's an asset. I know that the author Kathy Reichs has a degree in Anthropology and not in English or Creative Writing. She has still published several novels. With quite a bit of success. It's the same thing with Agatha Christie. She didn't have any degree whatsoever, yet she is one of the most well-known mystery novelist there is.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A DEGREE TO BE PUBLISHED!!! I write some poetry and what not and I have been published in some lower line magazines. I have nothing close to an English degree. The only reason publishers look for a degree is because it is a little reassurance that you know how to write. But, if you can get published in some little magazines or something that stands for more than a degree in my opinion. It shows them that obviously you know how to write or you wouldn't have been published and also that you have some experience which strengthens your chances of getting published again. But, don't get discouraged either. One day one place may tell you know and in two weeks when you try them again they may love you. Just remember each no gets you closer to a yes. You have to understand that each and every publisher is looking for something different and sometimes publishers have different looks on different days too. Like magazines, they are a good example, they may want abuse stories for this week's addition and survival stories next week. Just keep trying and don't be afraid to try the same place over and over again. Best of luck to you!!!!!

No you don't. It doesn't hurt to continue to take classes in the writing genre, there are always night classes at colleges in creative writing, which is a good outlet if you need a little creative boost, but no, not a degree. The only time you would need any degree is if your book pertained to something that is in that "degree" factor, ex: anthropology, historical venues ect...and that is only that you something to back you up as an expert in that genre of writing. But for general writing, nope, just have fun and do it.

I've been published, and I was too young to have a degree yet at that time. No, it's not necessary. IMO, I think publishing houses just use it as an excuse to be jerks...but I don't really know.

I don't know if an English degree is necessary to be published. If you have a kick-arss talent for writing I am sure many publishing houses will relax their rule for degrees. Cheers!!