QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS FOR BEGINNERS
Copyright 1999 by
Michael F. Bavota
Writing is a craft in which you must
learn the basics and the mechanics before venturing out in the market world. Aside from the fundamentals of grammar and style,
you will discover that there are rules for submission that editors expect all writers to follow. New writers also have many
concerns: How is my work protected from theft? Is a correspondence course worth the cost? Should I join a writer’s club?
Can the How-to books really help me? This article will help you prepare your work to give it the professional look and answer
the most asked questions for beginners.
WHAT IS
THE ACCEPTABLE MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION FORMAT?
Your manuscript
should be printed on standard white 8 1/2 by 11 paper. The manuscript needs to be double-spaced, using just one side of the
paper. Suggested margins: 1/4 " on all sides. In the upper left hand corner should be name, street address, city, state,
and zip. In the upper right hand corner you need to give the approximate word count. Then you drop down to about the middle
of the page and type the title and byline. Next you will begin page two with the page number 2 in upper right hand corner.
This is the format that most editors expect to see when a manuscript crosses their desk. When you fail to follow these rules,
your work screams out, "novice". Some beginners will tag on "professional writer", or copyright@1998.
These things are not necessary for your work. All submissions should be sent with self-addressed, stamped return envelope.
A cover letter should be attached giving a brief statement of what is enclosed, any specific background you may have to qualify
you for writing this story if it is non-fiction. It is best to avoid any statements like, "I could really use this sale",
or " I am a new writer", or "please buy my work". Your cover letter needs to be professional and to the
point. As an option, if you want to know that the magazine or book publisher received your work, you can enclose a stamped,
self-addressed post card as well. Print on the message side, the publication name. Most editors will drop it in the mail to
let you know the work is in their hands.
HOW IS MY
WORK PROTECTED UNDER COPYRIGHT LAWS?
The minute
you take a story idea from your mind and write it down on paper or on a computer, that particular work is protected under
the 1976 Copyright Revision Act. According to Writer’s Digest, Writer’s Encylopedia, "statutory copyright
exists in a work as soon as it is created in tangible form, even if it has not been published, and whether or not it has been
registered with the U.S. Copyright office." Many beginners fear submitting their work to publishers. They worry that
the publisher or magazine will show the story to a more experienced writer who will call this work their own. Although this
could happen, it is less likely to happen to you. However, keep in mind that thousands of writers are submitting work everyday.
You may think your story is one-of-a-kind, but another writer could have created a story very close to yours. If you feel
that your work is extremely unique in the marketplace, you may want to pay to have it registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.
Should someone infringe on your work, and you wish to file suit, the work must have been previously registered to do so.
IS A CORRESPONDENCE COURSE WORTH THE COST?
There are at least a dozen or more writing courses offered through the mail. Why should you
consider one? If you are interested in improving your skills, yet find that you have so little time to attend a college course
or adult night course, a correspondence course might be the best resource for you. I have taken three courses. And to date
I have published over 160 articles and written two books. Did the courses help? Absolutely! I needed to improve my grammar
skills and style. Writer’s Digest Schools offers an excellent course called, "Elements of Effective Writing".
It is designed to help writers become "good" writers. A correspondence course also helps you to develop a writing
routine and discipline. That is, if you take the course serious and get the work done on time. That is, if you complete the
course. Considering that the courses cost you hard earned money, unless you are serious about completing the program, you
will find that your money will only be wasted. Writing courses through the mail offer great flexibility. They come in all
price ranges, with a variety of subjects from the basics of writing, to novel writing, short story, articles and more. You
will find the instructors to be personally interested in your success, and helping you develop your skills. These are the
people who can give you a constructive review of your work. Most correspondence schools offer a nice certificate or diploma
upon completion which is a good accomplishment for any beginning writer to hang on their wall. Best advice is to shop around.
Know exactly what it is that you want to get help with and then find the course that matches that need.
SHOULD I JOIN A WRITER’S CLUB?
Writer’s clubs offer good support for beginning as well as established writers. Here
you can find others who go through the day-to-day efforts of writing, marketing and publishing their work. It is a good place
to make friends and hear about other writer’s experiences, successes and failures. Try not to get too wrapped up in
the failure part. Rejection is a necessary part of the writing profession. Each time you submit work and get it back unpublished,
there is the opportunity to try, try again. What you will find at most writer’s clubs is that there are those who do
try, and try again, and who do get published. Then there are those who have much to say about what they have written, but
never even try to get published. In these kinds of groups, the successful writers do offer some well appreciated inspiration
to those afraid to try. Just one thing to keep in mind with writer’s clubs. Your work, especially your unpublished work
may be seen by others who you wish to trust. The best advice is to keep writer’s club activities focused around support
and improving skills. How much of your actual unpublished work you care to share is strictly up to you.
CAN THE HOW-TO BOOKS REALLY HELP ME?
If you get the right book, for the particular area of help that you need… yes! These books can be an
excellent and often an invaluable resource for years to come. The best way to have success in writing is to read and hear
what successful writers do to make it all happen. You will discover one simple fact about writers. Many who have had success,
tend to remember what it took to get published. They also realize that there are hundreds of new writers who will one day
be good writers. Some will fear them as competition; others will remember the folks along the way who helped them to become
better writers. The how-to books are mostly writers sharing what they have learned along the way. And of course, by publishing
a how-to book, they are just trying to make a living as well. Find the book that can help you best and give it a try. MORE WRITERS TIPS