Quast

Do you want to write a book? It is a big task so you need to be ready for it. If you are inexperienced you may want to gain valuable skills by writing short articles or stories first. Writing a book can be a monumental task which can stretch you time, energy and nerves to the limit.

You can gain experience before you settle down and write your first book, by submitting work to print publications to see if you can actually sell your writing. Then if you want to write books, this will gain valuable experience and exposure which can help you with such tasks as querying and submitting longer works. You may need skills to enable you to deal with rejection - it will happen! Most writers experience more rejection than acceptance.

Perseverance is important. Talent counts, of course, but by dealing with rejection then asking "why" you will grow a thicker skin and be a better author in the end. Not everyone will like your standard and style of writing. Don't give up as you receive each rejection - persevere until you get it right. Pick yourself up and try again. Sometimes over and over again.

You will have to adapt and become comfortable working with an editor to get your story or ideas into a format that will sell. Publishers are not in the game for fun - they are in it for profit. They have more experience than you. You are the author but the editor knows the audience. He can help you progress - listen to what is said. The alternative is self-publication but there are issues with this, not least of which is not having the backing and muscle of established publishing houses.

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