4 answers
Grayson
Student
Millsboro, Delaware
1
Question
Asked
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How easy is it to have a novel published after seeking a creative writing degree??
I will be attending a 4-year university in the fall and was wondering: how easy is it to have a novel published after seeking a creative writing degree?
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4 answers
Harold Gross
Staff Technical Writer, Author, Actor
13
Answers
Issaquah, Washington
Updated
Harold’s Answer
Hey Grayson!
I'm going to join the dogpile here and suggest that your question isn't exactly what I think you're asking. As others mentioned, publishing is a breeze these days. Your degree, while teaching you skills and knowledge that will help you improve your writing, isn't going to have a direct effect on whether you get published or not. Take advantage of your time in uni to experiment and find your voice as a writer. Learn about the industry and, more importantly, the market (what are the trends, how do you get yourself heard, how can you best use social media to build a following, etc.). Your courses probably won't cover all of this, but people in the courses and some of the teachers may have info you can build upon. But that's all just business smarts. Write what you have to. Write your best. Write because you have no other choice. Then use those other skills to help your work get noticed. And then, maybe, you strike a nerve and something takes off.
There is an approach to this business called "stuffing the pipe." It refers to a consistency and constancy of writing. Keep pushing the next thing out and moving forward. At some point, with a bit of luck and timing, you land a hit with one of them and all of your old material suddenly becomes desirable again... or even more than it was originally. You aren't a one-book wonder at that point, you're an author with a whole catalog of material for readers to enjoy. Publishers love that. And, even if you're acting as your own publisher, all those small royalties add up.
I'm going to join the dogpile here and suggest that your question isn't exactly what I think you're asking. As others mentioned, publishing is a breeze these days. Your degree, while teaching you skills and knowledge that will help you improve your writing, isn't going to have a direct effect on whether you get published or not. Take advantage of your time in uni to experiment and find your voice as a writer. Learn about the industry and, more importantly, the market (what are the trends, how do you get yourself heard, how can you best use social media to build a following, etc.). Your courses probably won't cover all of this, but people in the courses and some of the teachers may have info you can build upon. But that's all just business smarts. Write what you have to. Write your best. Write because you have no other choice. Then use those other skills to help your work get noticed. And then, maybe, you strike a nerve and something takes off.
There is an approach to this business called "stuffing the pipe." It refers to a consistency and constancy of writing. Keep pushing the next thing out and moving forward. At some point, with a bit of luck and timing, you land a hit with one of them and all of your old material suddenly becomes desirable again... or even more than it was originally. You aren't a one-book wonder at that point, you're an author with a whole catalog of material for readers to enjoy. Publishers love that. And, even if you're acting as your own publisher, all those small royalties add up.
Wyatt s Miles
Animator
25
Answers
Dayton, ID
Updated
Wyatt s’s Answer
Dear Grayson,
I recently met with a friend, who is also a friend of my Dad's. He is a book distributer and I was asking him the same question that you are asking here. The answer is that it is now so easy to self-publish that the market is Flooded with novels and books of all sorts. Publishing used to be the Big Obstacle; it isn't anymore. The only question now is this, "How can I write anything that anyone besides myself would be interested in reading?" I think the best answer is to write about what you know the best, write about who you know the best. Be completely faithful and true to yourself and to those you love the best. Do not fear anyone or what anyone else may think or feel and go as deep as you can. True Creativity is fearless and it does not even consider the darkness. It bursts forth it's light as a Protostar - This term refers to the early stage of stellar development, where a cloud of gas and dust collapses under its own gravity, heating up as it contracts. The protostar continues to accrete matter until its core becomes hot and dense enough for nuclear fusion to begin, at which point it's officially considered a star. I believe in all of you young people and you are no exception, Grayson. You are going to light this world up in the likes that has never before been witnessed in our world's history. Just be who you is, Grayson, and do what you does and keep going. It will all work out for you, if you just believe and keep moving.
Your Bro,
Wyatt
I recently met with a friend, who is also a friend of my Dad's. He is a book distributer and I was asking him the same question that you are asking here. The answer is that it is now so easy to self-publish that the market is Flooded with novels and books of all sorts. Publishing used to be the Big Obstacle; it isn't anymore. The only question now is this, "How can I write anything that anyone besides myself would be interested in reading?" I think the best answer is to write about what you know the best, write about who you know the best. Be completely faithful and true to yourself and to those you love the best. Do not fear anyone or what anyone else may think or feel and go as deep as you can. True Creativity is fearless and it does not even consider the darkness. It bursts forth it's light as a Protostar - This term refers to the early stage of stellar development, where a cloud of gas and dust collapses under its own gravity, heating up as it contracts. The protostar continues to accrete matter until its core becomes hot and dense enough for nuclear fusion to begin, at which point it's officially considered a star. I believe in all of you young people and you are no exception, Grayson. You are going to light this world up in the likes that has never before been witnessed in our world's history. Just be who you is, Grayson, and do what you does and keep going. It will all work out for you, if you just believe and keep moving.
Your Bro,
Wyatt
Ingrid Livesey
Job seeker
1
Answer
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Updated
Ingrid’s Answer
You don't need a writing degree to have a novel published. If you can build a story, poem or short story from just one word that pops in your head, you have the writing bug in your blood.
But the easiest way towards publishing would be to decently research your options and send your work to the 3 options that suits your needs. There are no short cuts and if you feel it in your gut that it's not your best work so the publisher will believe the same.
There will be many times when you've invested hours on a chapter just to delete it all and start again.
It's hard work but if you have confidance in your ability and a way with words give it your best try, it's worth it if you set your mind to it and dedicate your time for it.
But the easiest way towards publishing would be to decently research your options and send your work to the 3 options that suits your needs. There are no short cuts and if you feel it in your gut that it's not your best work so the publisher will believe the same.
There will be many times when you've invested hours on a chapter just to delete it all and start again.
It's hard work but if you have confidance in your ability and a way with words give it your best try, it's worth it if you set your mind to it and dedicate your time for it.
Tom Foster
Freelance Writer with a lot of life experience
64
Answers
Forest Grove, Oregon
Updated
Tom’s Answer
Self-publishing isn't hard; it's getting noticed that's an obstacle due to the oversaturation of the market. Pay attention to what's popular, find a good cover for your book, and go over your material again and again to make sure it's meeting the desires of your readers. Other than that, publishing isn't too hard, but gaining the attention of your target audience is a little difficult.