Every writer dreams of being published and have their name in on the front of a magazine or the cover of a book. Dreaming about being published and actually getting published are two very different things. Getting published takes hard work, determination, persistence and a bit of luck.
There are some avenues that are open to unpublished writers and to new work on a regular basis. Discovering these opportunities could be the first step in moving from dreaming about being published and actually becoming a published writer.
Newspapers
Everyday newspapers roll off the presses and find their way into hundreds of thousands of homes. Newspapers usually have staff members who write various types of articles for the paper. Even with a full staff newspapers still have a need for additional content. This means there are opportunities for freelancers to break in.
Many local or smaller newspapers focus entirely on local events or news items. There might be opportunities to write local driven pieces and get them published. Writing for local papers seldom pays much or anything at all but it does develop credits for the future.
Editorials
Another way to get writing published is to write a letter to the editor. This avenue is one of the easiest to find writing in print. There is usually no payment for these submissions but often a quality letter will find its way into publication.
Regional Magazines
Regional magazines are often easier to write for than national magazines. Regional magazines have a smaller market and a more targeted audience. Research the magazine for writing styles and specific content needs. Regional magazines usually have small staffs and need more freelance content. Take some time to examine various regional opportunities that might present themselves.
Go for fillers
Thinking big might mean starting small. Most major magazine markets offer filler or short pieces in each issue. Fillers are often short and focused pieces that are part of regular departments. These pieces can bring a significant amount of money and lead to longer pieces. Fillers can be a good way of breaking into print.
Online
Online writing is one of the fastest growing avenues for writers. Getting published online is often easy and does add to future credits. There are a number of websites that pay for articles published online. Be careful to know what rights are being sold to the site. Some websites accept only first rights and others hold the rights to the article for a specific period of time.
Another tip is to purchase a Writer’s Market Guide. The guide offers information on most magazine and newspaper markets in the country. The guide provides editorial information, submission guidelines and directions for writers. Explore the guide for additional opportunities to find avenues for getting published.
