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- Calls for short stories and poetry for magazines, ezines, and anthologies. It feels good to get a few publications under your belt, and it's great practice working with editors and submitting professionally.
- Contests that you mean to enter or hear about but don't get around to. You never know! It's practice following guidelines and exercising your writing muscles. That never hurts.
- Agents sometimes advertise that they are open for queries, but only for a limited time, or if you partake in a certain conference or blog. Conferences are ALWAYS great opportunities to hone your skills, learn new and current info and trends, and network with great industry pros. Check your local SCBWI if you are a children's writer for some upcoming opportunities.
Have you ever passed up an opportunity that you later regretted? Or are you glad you tried something? Share!
These are great points. I love going to conferences but for money reasons have had to be more selective in which ones I go to. I miss the ones I miss but know it's best for my family when I cut back.
ReplyDeleteSadly I haven't had a finished manuscript to jump into contests or queries but I'll remember this when I do.
I'm not into writing non fiction articles (have done it though) or short stories. I have done #3, but that's because going to conferences and workshops help me grow as a writer. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat points and so timely for me. I was presented just yesterday with an opportunity to sub to anthology by the end of June. I'm so swamped, right now. But this is a wonderful way to exercise my skills plus (and hopefully) get accepted into the book. I'll have to give it a bit more thought. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes! I wound up entering (and winning!) a couple of contests that helped boost my resume and connect me with some great people--including my agent. You never know what might work out!
ReplyDeleteTaking that break and looking around at other opportunities is perfect advice. I sold my first book by doing just that. I was tried, grumpy and out of patience with my WIP when my SCBWI showed up in the mail. I took a break, scanned the articles and the publishers information. The information my eyes lit on was something like, "Wanted edgy YA." Well, guess what? That's exactly what I had waiting on my C drive.
ReplyDeleteThose other breaks, like conferences and contests etc. also let you practice following rules of theme and word count. Great way to improve your writing.
Thanks, Lisa!
Great encouragement here, LG2! I recently had an opportunity come my way that I thought about a looong time. And ultimately took it. We'll see how it goes. Hope you're doing fantastic~ :o) <3
ReplyDeleteI have taken opportunities as they came my way, and some of those opportunities have worked out well. I miss going to conferences, but the money is really a factor, as is time with my family.
ReplyDeleteA serious round of rejections has opened new opportunities. They are there. What we find by following their adventure makes a writer's life worth living.
ReplyDeleteThese are great points… and I pass on a lot of things I regret.
ReplyDeleteI challenged myself to write a short story (not really my thing) for an open submission call. Lo and behold, it was accepted for the publication. I'm glad I pushed myself.
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