Have you managed to get into print yet?
By 41Combedale
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
Greece
January 7, 2013 6:47am CST
It is great to write on internet sites but for many of us the real goal is to get into print and it is great to hear about others who have managed it.
I took a writing course and they advised students to write letters to magazines as an easy way to get into print for the first time. I did that and earned £5 each time a letter got printed and it was quite simple, all one needed to do was buy the magazine, study the letters page and think of something original to write to them about.
This gave me confidence and the first article I had published was in a woman's magazine describing meeting up with an old friend after 25 years separation.
I realise that this is a long way from writing a novel but it is a good way to get started and can open the doors to other opportunities.
3 people like this
16 responses
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
13 Jan 13
I have one newspaper article, some writing on Helium and a novel that I self-published. I've completed the sequel and waiting on my editor to get it back to me while working on the third and final book of the series.
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
13 Jan 13
The cover of my first book also happens to be my avatar. 
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
7 Jan 13
I took a different route.
I used to be some sort of journalist in high school. I did some feature articles (and sometimes news/sports) which went straight to print. I even won some awards for the articles I wrote. But when I got into college, I sort of forgot that and went to Engineering.
Maybe I should try and pick it up again. Although I would imagine it is much harder this time.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
14 Jan 13
I imagine that when I retire, and I'm not too busy with the work I'm doing right now, I'd have more time to get back to writing. And I'm sure that by then money and recognition wouldn't be too important for me. I'll just be a way for me to express my thoughts and relax my mind.
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
14 Jan 13
It probably would be much harder now but it is worth using your gift if only for self satisfaction. Money and recognition is not everything.
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
14 Jan 13
Once you have managed to get a foot in the door in this way you should continue to send things to them while they remembher your name!
@else22 (4317)
• India
7 Jan 13
My mother tongue is Hindi.I have been writing for Hindi magazines and newspapers for quite a long time.Many of articles were published in magazines and newspapers.Writing offline has been my hobby.Even in this age of internet I prefer writing offline and in my mother tongue.Writing offline is something I have learned recently.It is my son who inspired me to write articles offline.
Once I had written a novel in Hindi on the life of one of our greatest martyres,Chandrashekhar Azad.I had written it for juveniles,but never got it published.I felt I had to add some more facts in it.That's the only novel I have written till now.
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
14 Jan 13
Congratulations you are already an experienced writer. When you say you write 'offline' do you mean directly to newspapers etc. a pen to paper exercise sent via the mail?
@else22 (4317)
• India
15 Jan 13
Of course,Combedale,that's exactly what I mean.All my articles on psychology,politics,religion and wildlife are written on paper with my pen.And this pen had been gifted to me by my mother before she left the world for ever.All these articles are written in Hindi and published in noted Hindi magazines.Even after learning how to use computer I prefer writing offline.I write articles and send them to editors of newspapers and magazines via mail.
@BigMoney25 (1286)
• Philippines
8 Jan 13
Well I also wanted to do that, can you recommend a magazine where I can? I'm a person who loves to share ideas with people as my audience and I want to try to write to a mag as well. Congratulations for being able to make it. Goodluck I hope you get more opportunities for you my friend. Happy Mylotting :)
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
14 Jan 13
You need to look in the internet under magazines accepting freelance articles. I also browsed around around newsagents to get some idea of the content of magazines. I looked for informal magazines and mostly ones with female interest stories. It all depends on what you enjoy writing about.
@thePoetess (1)
• United States
11 Feb 13
I wrote my first poem back in 1982. The poem was about the small patchwork quilt that my maternal grandmother made for me when my mother and father adopted me at almost seven months old. My mother suggested that I submit it and it was published in a poetry anthology the same year. Since then, I have also been published in our church newspaper and on-line.
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
12 Feb 13
You have made a good beginning, I also enjoyed being published in church magazines. It is good to be able to make a contribution that people you know locally will enjoy. They may even compliment you sometimes. Keep up the good work.
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
7 Jan 13
I had a poem published in a Youth Magazine from our church when I was in high school. Maybe had some other poems published at that time, but nothing since then. Your approach is good, and it is interesting to learn that it was effective.
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
14 Jan 13
You could always pick up the pen and start writing poems again. I had one published in a woman's magazine and got the great prize of a kettle! It was a cheap one and did not last long, but it was very satisfying to see my poem marked as 'letter of the week.'
@celticeagle (167015)
• Boise, Idaho
8 Jan 13
I have had some mediocre publishings. Once in an newsletter belonging to the company I worked for. ANother time in a housekeeping magazine about quick ideas using other than normal impliments in the kitchen. That is about it so far. The ideal the writing course gave you is a good one. Start small and work up.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
7 Jan 13
I have been seeing my writing published in legitimate venues since I was a teenager. I remember the world that existed before everyone thought that he or she was a "writer."
I have yet to have a book published. I am, however, trying to motivate myself to move forward with one of my three mostly finished manuscripts. They are all strong stories at heart, but each one needs some serious reworking before I would ever want to approach a publisher.
@UtopianIdealist (1604)
• United States
8 Jan 13
I have never had a letter published in a magazine or newspaper, though I have had some poetry published with other writer and in school we did a collection of valentine themed stories and poetry. I have never really had much. That is wonderful you have had letters published!
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
14 Jan 13
Themed poetry sometimes is accepted by companies that produce cards. Perhaps you should look out those old Valentine verses and review them. It is too late to offer them for sale now but publishers might still be looking for Easter Cards.
@Pegasus72 (1898)
•
19 Jan 13
I am working on a book, I have been in a refunding magazine, and there was story about our family in All You magazine years ago. I have a few ideas about writing another book after I am done with what I am doing now.
@lifes97 (884)
• United Arab Emirates
7 Jan 13
its so nice thing if you are able to write online and be honest and let people ready articles of experts, but not easy work too, you need to fine the kyewords and title and many things to really work nicely online, sometime si see it is nice work and sometimes find its not worth it
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
7 Jan 13
Yes and no, I've been printed in an anthology with other poets, I know, everybody has done that route. I've also been printed on the web with articles, reviews and other junk. I know that e-books are the way to go if you want to get published quickly and even though some people still like a physical book in their hands its becoming harder to go that route. I would stick with whatever means you can do to get published. A portfolio with any work published is always a good thing.
