by Liomas Thomas

Created on: August 07, 2009

We assume they are delusional, lucky, related to the editor. There are as many excuses for not being published as there are stars in the night skies. But then, someone who is absolutely horrible at writing gets published and many fine authors dig their manuscripts out from under the dust and groan. Why not them, they ask themselves. How did someone so bad get an editor's approval? There are a few simple reasons why.

First, in the above paragraph the manuscripts are implied to be lying somewhere. Great unpublished writers simply do not keep them out there. How do you know if it's great? Publishable? It's too hard to see your own work. Get a few critiques from strangers, and never give up. Many poor authors have simply improved by experience. Some just play the odds, sending the same lukewarm story out until it hits the right waters. Some lousy writers are published because they keep trying. Some greats remain unheard because they quit too early.

Second, some poor writers lower their standards and get published in places others won't touch. I write ebook romance. Was that related? Can we pretend it's not? Okay, so romance isn't considered writing to many, an ebook aren't quite considered publishing unless done by a big name. But it's a start, and its credentials, and it counts as being published to many. I have learned a lot and now have a writer's resume and experience.

Third, they play by the rules. Even Shakespeare couldn't get published if his manuscript was unreadable gibberish. If an editor says rich text format or word doc only, the manuscript had better be in that format. Published writers scan the websites looking for submission guidelines, and often double check their work before sending it in. they don't put a round hole in a square peg, or send something that the computer can't display.

Fourth, they may know someone. The editor may have grabbed the wrong manuscript. There may have been a hundred dollar bill sent in with the submission. Sometimes, they just get lucky. The editor really wants a werewolf piece, and they are the only one to have sent one in in months. The editors and publishers are forced to use less than perfect writing. And sometimes, the planets just align just so.

Don't depend on that. Just keep polishing your manuscript. Look for new ways to show your writing, here at helium or a new outlet like a ebook publisher no one has heard of. Be willing to learn and accept advice, even if you don't follow it. Not all advice is good. Keep writing and sending out manuscripts. Read submission guidelines. Really. Read them. keep learning and trying. It doesn't sound like much, but it can mean the difference between a great writer not being published and a lousy writer seeing his/her work in print.

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