Thread: Happy, Happy, Happy Dance!

I'm not Ladytiger, but something I would suggest for all who are interested is to look into several different avenues:

1. Yahoo groups. Sounds a little corny, no? But if you have a particular author that you admire, sign up for his/her main list, and even some of the side lists (I advise a separate email account for this, because some of these lists can generate quite a bit of mail, lol). Some authors join in on these lists on a regular basis for on-topic and off-topic chatting, about writing, their books, and Christmas dinner You'll get to know them, and they may be able to help you with your own writing and with getting published, if your interest lies in that area. Get to know the other people on the list as well, becuase a lot of authors, established and struggling, hang out together.

2. Messageboards - very similar to the Yahoo groups. You can find messageboards that focus on writing, particular authors, certain genres, etc. Often, these messageboards will lead to things like fanfic, round-robin stories, more serious messageboards, local writing groups, critique groups, and advice from those who are already published.

3. Local writing groups. Check in your yellow pages. lol - that easy. Many areas have writing groups that meet regularly, and focus on certain subgenres of writing, especially romance and sci-fi/fantasy. This is a great chance to interact with others who have the same day-to-day struggles as you, as far as writing.

4. Compuserve has a writing section where established/non-published authors moderate and post questions and answers about research questions, with regard to their writing. Diana Gabaldon is the most prominent writer that comes to mind, and she is one of the moderaters of a particular section.

There are countless other ways to break into writing. You can cold submit. It doesn't hurt to try . James Reese, the author of Book of Shadows did that - just submitted to a publishing house, with no agent, little experience beyond academia, and he's a very successful first-time novelist with a sequel in the works. You can look for an agent if you're very serious and have something such as a novel or short story collection in mind. You can also subscribe to publications like Writer's Digest and such for more suggestions, information about writing query letters, and lists of possible places to submit your work.

double post.

Yes, Barnes and Noble was the one I had in mind. I don't know about Borders. Some independent cofeehouses may have writing groups as well.

I know that one Yahoo group I belonged to would generate over 500 email messages a day, easy I had to finally put it on the feature where you only received a few updates a day, because even with a separate address, I was overlowing my email inbox.

MSN also has Groups similar to Yahoo. And many authors really do chat on the email lists, lol. I know several people who have had poems used in books per authors' requests and who have helped with research, after becoming friends with authors through the lists.

Invites are nice, but not necessary.

Also, you can always take a writing class through a community college. Continuing ed or Adult ed - no invite needed and same benefit.

Art is very organic, and in its truest form, non-discriminatory. There's always an outlet.