How to Break Into the Writing Market

You may be one of the best writers around, but no one will ever know it unless you get published. To become a successful and maybe even famous writer, you have to break into the writing market. Know who to submit to and where your work is most likely to get published, and you'll jump that first hurdle in your writing career: breaking into the writing market.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Research writing markets. "The Writer's Market," published by Writer's Digest Books, is an annual publication that lists information about different types of markets. It gives editors' names, mailing addresses, types of stories or articles sought, payment and other essential information (see Resources below).
2. Send query letters. List the writing markets you'd most like to publish in and write query letters to see if they are interested in what you're writing. Query new publications as well, as they are more likely to be seeking writers.
3. Publish wherever and whenever you can. Submit even to non-paying markets. Publications that pay in exposure are easier to break into, and can help you build publishing credits that look impressive on a cover letter and help you build a portfolio.
4. Become familiar with the markets to which you are submitting. Read the magazines, newspapers or journals you wish to publish in. Get to know what type of articles and stories they publish. Submitting blindly is perhaps the best way to not break into the writing market.
5. Write in as many different areas as you can. Try your hand at different fiction genres, or broaden your nonfiction topics. This will open more markets to you and help tremendously as you try to break into the writing market.

Tips & Warnings

• Double-check information you find in "The Writer's Market" before submitting. Changes are constant in the publishing world, and editors, word counts or needs might change after the book is published. Call or write a query letter before submitting.
• Consider all markets that seek freelance writers: magazines, trade journals, online publications, newsletters and advertising materials such as brochures are all good places to start.
• Do not spend too much time submitting and publishing for non-paying markets. Writers should get paid for their material, and your goal should be to make a living by breaking into the writing market. It's okay to use a few non-paying jobs for experience, but spend most of your time going after the paying markets.