Getting exposure

[CyBeR]

I've been writing on and off for a few years now, always just on the edge of "I'll get more serious about this...someday".
Well, "someday" is here and I think it's time I gave this more serious consideration before life basically strangles me and I'll have little time left to actually ask these things.

What I would like to ask, if someone is knowledgeable about this, is how can I get a bit more exposure?
I have posted a few snippets here and what people have told me has been invaluable for me as, hopefully, aspiring writer in the future.
I am asking more of sites where I can post, or magazines where I could submit works from time to time...I don't care for a profit, this is what I enjoy doing when not having my head filled with robotics, I just want to put myself out there and see what flies, what floats and what sinks.

So...any suggestions?

 

[The Judge]

There's a site called Duptrope which might be of interest, CyBeR http://www.duotrope.com/index.aspx -- basically a list of magazines etc who will take submissions, plus competitions.

When you say "sites where I can post" do you mean for feedback, as here on Critiques, or just for posting so people can see your work?

Have you got a website? You can post stuff there, of course, and see what attention it gets.

I'm in two minds if this is Publishing or GWD. I'll see what others think and move it if necessary.

 

[CyBeR]

Thank you for the site Judge. I'll be looking into it soon as I finish revamping my current short story into a more complete form and then cast a line and see what bites.

Otherwise...I'm interested in either honestly. Critique is something I've had a very hard time getting hold of in past years (except here, which is why I love this place), but I won't say no to a place where I can post stuff so people could just read them.

Unfortunately I don't have a site but I think I may look into either learning to create one, or paying one of my ex-classmates for one since he works in the field.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I believe the best way to get exposure at this point is to start a blog of your own. (A blog is much more effective than an ordinary website). Writing guest articles for other people's blogs is also a good way to get exposure.

 

[Warren_Paul]

Twitter appears to work well for exposure too. It's certainly driven up the visitor activity on my blog.

You just say random things about how your writing is coming along, or useful comments, and people start following you, then find your links back to your blog and start reading posts/excerpts.

start following other writers, post in the #amwriting #amreading #amediting channels, or other ones in topics your interested in. People will soon start noticing you.

There is a thread down in the lounge where others on here have shared their twitter names so you can find them.

Jump on Blogger or Wordpress, and just make a free blog and start writing your thoughts, short stories and such while mentioning the big project you are working on in the background.

 

[CyBeR]

I was afraid someone would suggest both Twitter and blogs...I abhor both but it seems I'll have to suck it up and get on with it. I'll prepare a backlog of stories to have some material for a while and then get to work on these.

Thank you for all your suggestions. Greatly appreciated.

 

[Anne Lyle]

You don't have to blog in the conventional sense - Wordpress also allows you to make "static" webpages like a normal website. I run my author website on a custom install of Wordpress, but you can create an equivalent, albeit much simpler, site for free at Wordpress.com.

 

[Mouse]

I agree with Duotrope.

The trouble with blogs and Twitter is that you need a lot of time. You also need to at least pretend to be interested in what other people are saying - which is where I fail miserably - so that they'll want to follow you back.

You could also try DeviantArt. You can put your short stories/poetry and whatnot up there and randomers come along and read and 'favourite' things they like. There's a forum where you can share your work.

 

[Dozmonic]

A webpage is always a good thing. I use wordpress on my site, though I don't update it regularly enough to need to bother
Another option for webpages comes in the form of Weebly as discussed previously on these forums:
http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/533865-weebly-web-design.html

What kind of exposure do you want? Who do you want to be seeing you and noticing you? Agents and publishers? The public at large? Audiences of specific genres? When you know who you want exposure to, why and what sort, then you can come up with a plan for how to get that exposure.

 

[CyBeR]

I agree with Duotrope.

The trouble with blogs and Twitter is that you need a lot of time. You also need to at least pretend to be interested in what other people are saying - which is where I fail miserably - so that they'll want to follow you back.

You could also try DeviantArt. You can put your short stories/poetry and whatnot up there and randomers come along and read and 'favourite' things they like. There's a forum where you can share your work.

Thing is with DeviantArt that you need even MORE time than a blog and Twitter. I've been on there since 2006 and I really dislike how things work, on account that the louder you are there, the more attention you get, which is a bit grating.
I'm willing to dedicate enough time to Twitter and Blogging, but not to DA again regarding writing.

I honestly care most to get noticed as a writer and have a presence online, especially for audiences of Sci-Fi and Fantasy. I don't trust myself enough so far to think of agents and publishers, maybe when I find some legs to stand on first.

 

[Mouse]

Well, I don't spend a great deal of time on DA and I certainly don't shout anywhere. Yet I've got work, writing work, out of being on DA. Very well paid writing work, I might add.

 

[CyBeR]

Well, I don't spend a great deal of time on DA and I certainly don't shout anywhere. Yet I've got work, writing work, out of being on DA. Very well paid writing work, I might add.

Then again, that IS a very compelling argument .
I was going to restart an account there later in April...I'll add my writing there as well.

 

[Coragem]

Take a look at Alastair Reynolds' work and his interviews.

He had his first short story accepted by a magazine (Interzone) in 1989. It was published Sept 1990. After that he submitted short stories for a decade before Revelation Space was finally published in 2000.

In my own writing my main focus is a door stopping novel, but I will be taking time out to do some short stories. The plan (!!!) is to get a little exposure, and maybe increase my chances of success when I finally approach agents with my novel -- i.e., I'll be able to note on my cover letter that I've had some fiction published by reputable mags.

I wish us both luck!

Coragem

 

[Triceratops]

I do my blog, FB, Twitter, my largest writing groups and some announcements on the Book Blogs site. Interaction is very important--taking the time to answer questions and give advice. You build a draw or following by using your personality, this includes demonstrating patience and kindness with newbies and strangers. Drop your link to your writing, but don't impose or spam. And do this regularly.

The rest is up to the Gods.

Chris

 

[Warren_Paul]

Interaction is very important--taking the time to answer questions and give advice. You build a draw or following by using your personality, this includes demonstrating patience and kindness with newbies and strangers. Drop your link to your writing, but don't impose or spam. And do this regularly.

Yes, I agree that the writer (not just the agent/publisher) needs to make an effort to get his/her name known, and that requires blogs and chatting, interviews and such. SFF Chrons is one of the best places I think to get to know readers and other writers, build up friendships and such - word of mouth starts here.

There are so many authors out there that I don't know exist because I've just never heard anything at all about them, and that is really sad because they are probably good writers that deserve the attention.

And yes, you have to do it in a controlled manner. If you spam advertisements for your books all over the internet you will get exposure, just not the sort of exposure your after. - People hate spam.

 

[David Evil Overlord]

Another site to use if you're looking for markets after beating your stories into submission is Ralan.

http://www.ralan.com/

 

[David Evil Overlord]

Take a look at Alastair Reynolds' work and his interviews.

He had his first short story accepted by a magazine (Interzone) in 1989. It was published Sept 1990. After that he submitted short stories for a decade before Revelation Space was finally published in 2000.

In my own writing my main focus is a door stopping novel, but I will be taking time out to do some short stories. The plan (!!!) is to get a little exposure, and maybe increase my chances of success when I finally approach agents with my novel -- i.e., I'll be able to note on my cover letter that I've had some fiction published by reputable mags.

I wish us both luck!

Coragem

I've heard it described as PEO - Prior Editorial Approval. It's supposed to help you get your foot in the door with publishers, because the professional editor of a magazine has previously bought your work.

Does it help? I do not know. But it can't hurt.

 

[Dozmonic]

Having had previously published works can work both for and against you. If you have a track record of sales, you're providing a potential agent/publisher with information as to how the public received your work before. Even if your new work is different, there's a record of what you achieved before. Low sales could put them off.

At the same time, an agent will judge your work based on what they read, whereas publishing houses may well not even read what you send them. In both cases, having a proven track record doesn't help one iota.

 

[Anne Lyle]

In my own writing my main focus is a door stopping novel, but I will be taking time out to do some short stories. The plan (!!!) is to get a little exposure, and maybe increase my chances of success when I finally approach agents with my novel -- i.e., I'll be able to note on my cover letter that I've had some fiction published by reputable mags.

If you like writing short stories then sure, go for it. Just be aware that short story markets well-known enough to be worth putting in your query are at least as competitive as the novel market, if not more so. Getting your short story into a no-name 'zine is worthless as a publishing credit.

If short stories aren't your thing, don't sweat it. At a rough estimate, around half the debut novelists of my acquaintance had little or no short story background before landing a novel contract. Including me.

Anyone who tells you that you need short story credits to get your foot in the door with book publishers has been reading writing advice that's a good two decades out of date...

 

[Coragem]

At a rough estimate, around half the debut novelists of my acquaintance had little or no short story background before landing a novel contract. Including me.

Anyone who tells you that you need short story credits to get your foot in the door with book publishers has been reading writing advice that's a good two decades out of date...

Thanks Anne.

I must say, your success is a real inspiration to me, indicating that with some ability and hard work a break through is possible.

After reading your post I guess I'm in two minds.

Honestly, I don't particularly like reading short stories -- for me emotional engagement with characters is what makes reading most fulfilling, and I tend to need a longer work to get that level of engagement. Also, I suppose I'll be slightly reluctant to delay my novel completion date (I'm a slow writer already, as you know) to make time for the stories.

On the other hand, I have built an impressive (if I do say so myself) world and history around my novel. I'd enjoy stepping into another time and/or place within my world and developing it in a short story. And I guess any experience with writing and submitting work for publication is good.

My game plan as an aspiring writer changes almost daily, although I often fall back on: write, write, write, submit, write write … and continue that for a decade or so until (1) I'm better at writing, and (2) I have a body of work.

Coragem.