the craft. publishing pathways.
There is not one way to get your words to the world.
Being published is this coveted goal as a writer. Many of us are probably questioning, at times, whether we are indeed a writer if we haven’t reached that goal. The short answer is yes. Because if every day you wake up thinking about writing, then you’re a writer, girl (or person, please take the note from Sister Act 2). But truthfully, being a writer is about the practice. Are you writing things? Publishing is only another step in that process, and it can look a lot of different ways.
I’ve mentioned often that my first foray into writing for public consumption was through blogging. I was publishing my own work, and at the time, it didn’t feel inferior to any other pathway because personal blogging was so big in 2013. But as you’re looking to grow and expand your audience, you start to notice that getting the co-sign of a publication or bigger brand, helps to solidify your credibility in the space.
In came some of my first opportunities to write for other outlets. It started with writing music posts for Philly360 which was a vertical of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism department. A few features and a cover story for JUMP magazine. Then Essence.com, a couple pieces for The Cut, and even a couple things for GRAMMY.com. This all did feel like it gave me a certain stamp of being a “real” writer, because now other people had expectations of me and my work. I was being edited and improving simultaneously with that invaluable feedback on storytelling and crafting a thoughtful piece.
From publishing your own work to finding other outlets and publications, there are so many opportunities to get your words out into the world these days. So let’s talk a little about what that looks like in the current landscape.
We’ll start with books:
Traditional Publishing
The industry is doing its best to shrink, but currently, there are still five, count them, five major publishers that every other imprint is derived from unless they are an independent or university press. Simon & Schuster, Hachette, MacMillan, Harper’s Collins, and Penguin Random House. Though I think someone even just did a deal with a major from a university press but, I digress.
With traditional publishing, you first have to acquire an agent. The proverbial middle man that is going to help you shop your fiction or nonfiction book to the publisher. They spend their time building relationships and staying keen on who is looking for what, and if and when that book fits they pass it along in a process of submission. At times, a painstakingly arduous process that may or may not result in your getting a book deal.
Open calls from publishers
Occasionally, some publishers do open calls like Simon & Schuster’s Books Like Us or recently, Feminist Press did an open call. What that gives you the opportunity to do is submit your book directly to the publisher without the agent portion. Now, if they end up interested, you’ll still need to secure an agent to help negotiate on your behalf, but I’m sure you can imagine that it’s a lot easier to sell when you already have a press interested in publishing your book. Diane Marie Brown, who will be reading for our Words In Progress event, has mentioned that’s how she was able to secure the deal that led to her Read With Jenna Pick, BLACK CANDLE WOMEN.
And let’s not forget about those smaller indie presses and/or university presses. Now, I did just see Deesha Philyaw (on Threads, I believe) warn about making sure that University presses aren’t trying to own your copyright, but outside of that, these are also viable options for getting your book out into the world.
Self-Publishing
Self-publishing of today is not what it used to be. I think in other times, there seemed to be a stigma around publishing your own books, but that mentality is a thing of the past. There are so many tools available to us like SparksIngram, and that major one that everyone uses because of its monopoly on the largest bookselling platform. Either way, you don’t have to wait on anyone’s permission to get your books out into the world.
Now, that doesn’t mean that you still shouldn’t hire a developmental and/or copyeditor. That you shouldn’t commission someone, if you can, to design and layout your book. You know, it just means that you’re in control and your decisions won’t have to be made by jury.
As an author who has done both. Self-published and traditionally published, I would say that there are pros and cons to both. The most important thing I realized though, is that you will have to hustle either way. If you’re not a top earning, breakout author with bestselling status, a lot of the same hustle you put into your self-publishing journey, you will also have to put into your traditional publishing journey. And we can talk a little more at length about that in a future newsletter.
Now, when it comes to personal essays, interviews, features, etc., so much has also changed here. I mean, I feel like I couldn’t get a pitch picked up today if I wanted to. But back when I was writing for different outlets, freelancing felt lucrative. Well, just the same as publishers, so many publications are either disappearing, paying people pennies, or simply not open to work that is not click-batey and celeb-based.
But fear not, lack of opportunity, should only be a motivator to create your own thing. Never stop writing though. Why would you do that?
Anywho, here are a couple of spaces that could make sense for you to publish.
Other avenues
Substack - the writing community on Substack is second to none at this point. They’ve done a ton of development that makes it a great place to not only share your work but find an audience for it. It’s a mix of blog and newsletter, as you’re able to send each post to your subscribers. Whether you’re writing essays or fiction, or whatever, you may be able to gain real traction here. And you have the ability to make income if you turn on your paid subscriptions because why shouldn’t folks pay for your work?
Medium - Similar to Substack, but without the email component, Medium is a place where writers are. They too, have their commission program where you can make money from your work. There are also Medium publications that can pick up your work and repost it. Again, it’s creating your own lane.
Personal blog - I’m always weary of putting all my work on other platforms, but you have to figure out what works best for you. You may just want to build your own space on your own personal website for your work, and that’s easier now that ever in my opinion with ready-made templates on Squarespace sites or whatever other platforms. If you build it, and promote it, they just might come.
Literary Journals - I’m not sure we’ll ever be short on open calls for literary journals. Ploughshares, Prairie Schooner, Shenandoah, The Yale Review, etc. they’re always looking for stuff. And sure, for me, it feels like my writing tends to go into some ominous space of never return with some of those submissions, but you may be a better writer than me and actually score something in there!
I don’t know where to put them, but you also have spaces like Torch Literary Arts, Electric Literature and LitHub that publish a lot of different work throughout the year.
I hope you see here that there are plenty of places, and ways to get the work out there. The first step though? Having the work. And we’re here to encourage you, educate you, and cheer you on along the way.
Writing Opportunities
Prairie Schooner publishes short stories, poems, imaginative essays of general interest, and reviews of current books of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. We read submissions from September 1st to May 1st of each year. All submissions should be typed, and all prose should be double-spaced. Use standard fonts and formatting, including margins of at least one inch, and include your name on each page of the manuscript. We do not consider work that has been previously published anywhere, including online publications, and we do not read simultaneous submissions. (Closes May 1)
The Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant supports emerging and established writers who write about contemporary visual art. Ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 in three categories—articles, books, and short-form writing—the grants support projects addressing both general and specialized art audiences, from short reviews for magazines and newspapers to in-depth scholarly studies. (Closes May 7)
The Emerging Critics Fellowship is open to critics of all experience levels who seek to review and write about books for print and digital outlets. Applicants may or may not have previously published book reviews. The NBCC seeks a broad range of diverse applicants, especially those who have demonstrated a genuine interest and commitment to engaging in a critical conversation about books. Applicants must be 21 years or older. (Closes May 9)
Apartment Therapy is adding new talent to our freelancer roster! We're looking for freelance writers for upcoming assignments that include personal essays, reported service pieces, product round-ups, “I tried it” reviews, and more.
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