Tips for Gaining Attention in the World of Fiction

If you aspire to be a fiction writer and think all you have to do is sit down to your computer and create, you will be very disappointed. Most writers eventually want to publish their work. They want family, friends and others to read what they've created.
Here are some tips for gaining attention in the fiction world:
1) Enter contests. The first contest I entered was for a nonfiction piece. It was a national contest sponsored by Reader's Digest and McCalls Magazine. I won second place and I received a note from the editor of Reader's Digest. We talked and one year later I published my first written words as an original piece for Reader's Digest, receiving more money than any advance on my later books.
This experience taught me not to be shy in entering contests. My cozy mystery won first place in the Malice Domestic Grants award for new writers. That boost motivated to keep writing fiction. My nonfiction proposal won first place in the Harriet Austin contest for nonfiction and was later to become my first published business book.
Don't worry about winning the contest, just get your name out there. Even the smaller contests are worth entering. Imagine a query letter that begins with, "The Clock Strikes Midnight won honorable mention in the Regional mystery writer's competition." That sentence alone separates you from all the other query letters coming across a publisher's desk.
2) Take classes and re-write. I've leaned so much over the years. I thought I could write before I began composing my novels. Unfortunately I knew little about fiction writing. If you are like me and didn't major in creative writing in college, you might need to invest some time and energy in studying the craft. I've taken classes on everything from dialogue to plot development.  I participated in classes at writer's conferences and online. For me www.writersdigest.com offers the widest array of classes. Don't be too proud to learn!
3) If an agent doesn't snap up your creation, skip the agent and go to a small publishing house. With the current publishing industry in such flux, it is becoming harder and harder for new writers to break into publishing. Agents want a sure bet. They want someone whose works they know they can sell (and make money). After all, they earn a percentage on your royalties. The large publishing houses still rely on agented manuscripts. So, where does that leave the new writer? Forget the agent and go to smaller houses willing to take a risk with your new work. I used a search driven website to help me sort through the small houses. www.duotrope.com There are others out there. Find the best one and go from there. But, most of all do not give up. Write and re-write.
By Joan Curtis

“I write about characters who remind me of myself at times and my sister at times, but never fully so. My stories are told from a woman’s point of view. Characters drive my writing and my reading.”

Having grown up in the South with a mother from Westchester County New York, Joan has a unique take on blending the southern traditions with the eye of a northerner.  She spent most of her childhood in North Carolina and now resides in Georgia.

Links:  website:  http://www.joancurtis.com

Blog: http://www.joancurtis.com/blog

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/joanccurtisauthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/joancurtis



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15 Comments

  1. Goddess Fish Promotions15 December 2014 at 11:37

    Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  2. JoanCurtis15 December 2014 at 14:46

    Hi, Thanks for hosting my tour stop today. I'll gladly answer any questions anyone has for me.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sandy15 December 2014 at 16:17

    Thanks for the Q&A. Congratulations to Joan-all the best

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    Replies
    1. JoanCurtis15 December 2014 at 17:52

      Thank you for stopping by, Sandy. I appreciate your congrats!

      Delete
  4. Sal W.15 December 2014 at 16:29

    Very helpful piece of advice....

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    Replies
    1. JoanCurtis15 December 2014 at 17:54

      Salish, I'm glad you found the tips helpful. Thanks for dropping in.

      Delete
  5. Unknown15 December 2014 at 17:26

    My husband always says, "The only good writing is rewriting." :-) Good article, Joan!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoanCurtis15 December 2014 at 17:55

      Gee Pearl, didn't know you had such an astute husband. Thx for sharing.

      Delete
  6. MomJane15 December 2014 at 21:15

    Great and very helpful comments.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoanCurtis15 December 2014 at 23:53

      Thanks MomJane. Thanks for stopping by today.

      Delete
  7. Ann L17 December 2014 at 09:40

    I liked the tips for gaining attention.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Peggy's Hope 4 U11 February 2015 at 04:27

    I'm curious if there's a resource that lists the various book contests available to writers of MG Fantasy.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Unknown11 March 2016 at 15:25

    Pretty good post! I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading essay writers your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Unknown11 July 2016 at 15:24

    Nice post, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Unknown17 August 2016 at 13:37

    Thanks for the nice tips. I am also a writer and I know how difficult it is ti gain readers attention. Moreover, this is the high-quality educational resourtce for students who want to succeed in original grand-essays academic assignments writing. Keep it up.

    ReplyDelete

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