hello all, I need to write...but who and where to send to??

[mikeo03]

Ok, so after much looking and searching, I think I have found a home here! I'M new to the ranks of fiction writing and my mind is bursting with ideas, I can't take it anymore!:rolleyes
I need to find an outlet where I can write and practice. Anybody looking for short stories? I love writing horror and ghost/spirit stuff. What are my options? I took a few classes and the instructor suggested looking for anthologies to submit to, Any thoughts?? Thanks in advance!!

[mammamaia]

hi, mike... and welcome!
new writers usually rely on writers market to find venues for their work... i always advise getting both the hard copy and a subscription to the website, since the book has a lot of basic info and samples, etc. that a new writer needs and can refer to more easily, while the site has regular updates on publishers' info... you can usually find a good combo price at bookstores and/or online...

before you start sending out anything, however, it's a good idea to have someone who's a good editor look it over and give you feedback on whether it's ready to be seen... you don't want to blow your future chances with agents or editors by sending out poor quality work that will get dumped on first glance and brand you forevermore as just another newbie whose ego is bigger than his/her talent...

i can say this from experience, since i've helped/mentored hundreds of new writers in the past few years and much of what i'm sent that folks think is ready to submit, is really in need of lots of work...

best of luck with your writing... and have fun with it!

love and hugs, maia

[mikeo03]

Hi there Maia! I've already took the bull by the horns, I sent you my stuff yesterday(the horrible red background);) I sent some more last night, I was up till 2 so I may have botched it, did you get it? Anyway I really appreciate it, and I'll be in touch again..Thanks!!:)

[Mridu]

Till I didn't have Writer's Market, I relied on a number of newsletters, Websites and other writers to find market information.

Here are some:

Writers Weekly (www.WritersWeekly.com) (http://www.WritersWeekly.com))
Absolute Write (www.AbsoluteWrite.com) (http://www.AbsoluteWrite.com))
WriterFind (www.WriterFind.com) (http://www.WriterFind.com))
Writing For Dollars (www.WritingForDollars.com) (http://www.WritingForDollars.com))

and my very own...

Writers Crossing (www.WritersCrossing.com) (http://www.WritersCrossing.com))

Good Luck in selling your work!

Mridu Khullar
Editor-in-Chief
Writers Crossing
www.WritersCrossing.com (http://www.WritersCrossing.com)

** Subscribe to our newsletters and get FREE reports with 400+ paying freelance opportunities and over 100 ebook publishers. Visit www.WritersCrossing.com (http://www.WritersCrossing.com) **

[mammamaia]

...didn't get it yet... better send again, now that you're awake...

hugs, maia

[mikeo03]

fantastic. I'm on it first thing Monday! Maia, I'm sorry, I obviously did something wrong on my end, I'll resend..Thanks All, and BOO!! Happy halloween!:hat

[mikeo03]

Ok, I sent it again to your hotmail account, let me know if it get's lost again..

[mammamaia]

mike... i've gotten nothing from any 'mike' in past 24 hours...

are you sending to: maia3maia@hotmail.com ?

if it still doesn't work, give me your email address here, and when i check in tomorrow am, i'll email YOU... love and hugs, m

[mikeo03]

Ok Maia, I know I must be losing my marbles. I've sent it again to the address listed above. If it doesn't come through, I can be reached at Mikeovegas@hotmail.com..Sorry for the hassle.:\ The wierd thing is, I sent it right back to you as a reply to the same address as the first time we spoke..Gremlins maybe!
Mike

[aka eraser]

hotmail is WAY up there on my pet peeve list. >:

[mikeo03]

The only reason I keep it is so I can give it out in public forums like this and keep the junk mail from bombarding my primary cable modem account. It also has a decent "blocked senders" feature. I have them linked and they both dump into the same mailbox, so I can check em from one site..

[aka eraser]

I know. Most of us have a valid reason or 3 for having a hotmail account, but I can still hate it. :D

[marky48]

I use yahoo for that purpose and have no problem with my MSN mail account. I don't know what the problem is you're referring to.

[aka eraser]

My problems relate mostly to my newsletter subscribers who use a hotmail addy. The column sometimes: A- doesn't arrive at all: B- arrives in 2-12 days: C- arrives without graphics and/or proper formatting. Many have supplied me with alternate addies, but I still get a complaint or 2 a week from hotmail subscribers. NOT on content, I hasten to add. :)

[marky48]

It worked fine on my paid account, but it is different from the free one.

[mikeo03]

I've had the same thing happen in mine. I've cc'd myself on a few things I've sent out and sometimes it would take a week or more before I'd get my own mail!!:eek