Steps
to a Job as a Romance Writer
If you
have always believed your fantasies worthy of being
read by millions, now is the time to start using your
runaway imagination to your benefit. With thousands
of romance novels being published each year, it is
easier to get published today than it has ever
been in the past.
A career in romance
writing allows you to work from home, at your own
pace, and during the hours you prefer. Romance writing
generally pays better than other genres of fiction,
so you can make more money, or work fewer
hours, whichever you prefer. Finally, this line
of work lets you truly touch the hearts of your readers,
and give them the confidence to seek love and happiness
in their own lives.
No special education
or experience is necessary to break into this career.
Successful romance writers merely require independence,
creativity, and a determination to succeed. If this
sounds like you, follow these ten steps based on the
fabjob.com
How to Become a Romance Writer to make
your mark in this field. Who knows, you may be the
next rising star!
1.
Do some reading
If you already love
to read romance novels, you are likely an ideal candidate
for writing them. If you are unfamiliar with this
type of novel, you will want to start off by exploring
the genre. If you haven't read a romance lately, you
might be surprised at the new trends within the industry.
Try reading a variety of genres to get an idea of
what you would enjoy writing, and to familiarize yourself
with the conventions of each.
2.
Develop your skills
Many of the skills
you need to write will be developed as you practice,
so keep those pens moving. Keep in mind that becoming
a writer is an ongoing process. If you need some feedback,
a local or online writers critique group can also
help you further hone your writing skills. If you
find yourself stuck for ideas, there are creativity
exercises you can learn, and if your grammar needs
some help, brush up with a book or quick course.
3.
Get some experience
So you want to list
publishing credits to help your chances of selling,
but you can't list those without selling, and it's
hard to sell without the credits. Sound like a Catch-22?
It is. Fortunately, you can get your feet wet publishing
articles and short stories in magazines and ezines.
Make sure you are familiar with the writers' guidelines
and the publication itself before you submit. You
may even consider accepting a couple of non-paying
assignments in order to build your credentials.
4.
Your proposal package
It is important to
create a professional image when you submit your work
to an agent or editor, since editors are often swamped
with submissions and will only read those that follow
their guidelines. Most publishers want to receive
a 'proposal,' which consists of the first three chapters,
a synopsis of the plot and a cover letter. Send them
whatever their guidelines indicate, and don't forget
to include a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope)
for a reply or return of your manuscript.
5.
Target a publisher
If you have read widely
in the romance genre, you will have an idea of which
publishers will be most interested in your style of
writing. In addition to the major publishers (Harlequin,
Kensington, etc.) be aware that there are thousands
of smaller and electronic presses that initially may
be more receptive. You will want to send them your
proposal package, addressed to the current editor.
Directories and the fabjob.com
How to Become a Romance Writer are useful
for finding contact information of publishers to submit
to.
6.
Self-publishing
What if your book
is so cutting edge that even the small presses don't
feel comfortable taking it on? If you have shopped
your book around and not received a positive response,
self-publishing may be the route for you. Digital
printing now allows for the cost-effective printing
of as few as one copy of your book at a time, so you
can set up your novel for around $100 and have it
available to the public within a few weeks.
7.
Get an agent
If you've got your
sights set on the large publishing houses, or are
terrified of negotiating, you may consider getting
an agent to help you find a home for your book. Once
you have found an agent you'd like to work with, ensure
that he or she has a good reputation in the industry.
Bear in mind that an agent will take about 10-15%
of everything you earn on your book.
8.
Dealing with editors
It's important to
have a good relationship with someone you hope to
be dealing with on an ongoing basis, so once you have
interest from an editor, establish and maintain a
professional relationship with him or her. Allow three
to six months for them to consider novel proposals,
and don't pester them with phone calls. Once they
have expressed interest, be business-like, and make
changes to your work as requested. A little respect
goes a long way in this business.
9.
Networking
Conferences, local
writing workshops and conventions are wonderful places
to meet fellow authors, editors, agents and publicists.
Many are even set up to allow writers to meet on a
one-to-one basis with agents and editors. Not only
are these situations great for networking, but just
joining a national or local writers organization can
bring you knowledge from the workshops and conferences
they offer.
10.
Self-promotion
Building a readership
and increasing book sales are two of the most important
things authors can do to promote their careers. If
hiring a publicist isn't in your budget (and you may
be surprised to find it is) there are a number of
things you can do to promote yourself, such as getting
media attention, creating a website, and doing book
signings. Be creative, and be persistent…it can only
benefit you in the long run.
FabJob.com publishes
e-books that can help you break into a "fab" job.
Visit www.fabjob.com
for information.
