| Catch-22, huh? In the writing business, you can't | | | | say, "Standards of learning?" Talk with other |
| get published until you have some experience. If | | | | parents to get conflicting views and write the |
| you can't get published until you have experience, | | | | article. |
| how do you get experience? How do you get | | | | Though some shudder at the very words |
| publishing clips to show all those publishers who | | | | "non-paying market," if you're an unpublished |
| want to see "previously published clips"? It's | | | | writer seeking clips, it's a good alternative. After |
| almost as if Lily Tomlin's telephone operator | | | | you get those clips, it's not so great to work for |
| character came up with this: "Is this the party to | | | | free; but at this point, you need the exposure and |
| whom I'm speaking? Are you the unpublished | | | | experience, and they need the articles. I think it's |
| writer who has published clips I can look at? | | | | a fair trade as long as you work for a web site, |
| (Snort, snort!)" | | | | e-zine, print magazine, newsletter, or even |
| What's an unpublished writer to do? Get published, | | | | charitable organization that you would be proud to |
| of course! I'm not being flippant; I'm serious. Think | | | | have worked for. It won't do you any good to |
| about your life. There are a number of things you | | | | have clips with grammatical errors (either yours |
| can write about right now (essays and travel | | | | or theirs) or content that isn't credible. |
| articles about that great place you stumbled upon | | | | Entering contests is another way to get clips, |
| last summer). There is a lot more you can write | | | | though this is more of a writing sample. Still, if you |
| about if you do a little research (an article | | | | win or even place in the contest, this will lend |
| regarding something that has been on your | | | | some weight to your writing. This is especially |
| mind—your mother's illness? The stringent | | | | true if you're a genre writer. Romance Writers of |
| standards of learning being enforced upon | | | | America even has a contest called the Golden |
| elementary school students?). How about doing an | | | | Heart Contest wherein the winner has the "best |
| article about the writer's conference you | | | | unpublished manuscript." Malice Domestic is a |
| attended? | | | | contest for mystery writers. While these "biggie" |
| Now you have your ideas, but where do you get | | | | contests are great, small contests are a boon to |
| them published? You might start with your local | | | | the unpublished writer as well. One caveat: There |
| newspaper. If they're like most newspapers, | | | | are a lot of bogus contests out there. Before you |
| they're in need of fillers from time to time. They | | | | pay any sort of fee, check out the contest. |
| might even be in need of freelance reporters | | | | So where do I find all these places to get |
| during the summer and the holiday seasons. Talk | | | | published or get noticed or gain some recognition |
| with your newspaper's editor. Be frank. Tell him | | | | as a writer? Well, you can find some by clicking |
| her that you need some publishing experience in | | | | on the links below: |
| order build your portfolio. In addition to putting | | | | NEWSPAPERS: |
| some published clips in your "clip file," you'll also | | | | This link gives you information about newspapers |
| gain valuable experience and hone your craft. | | | | in all fifty states and provides links to many of |
| Then when you write that novel starring the | | | | the newspapers' web sites. |
| investigative reporter, you'll know the | | | | OP-ED PIECES: |
| lingo…and the editor can say, "I knew that | | | | Adbusters (paying market) |
| author when…." | | | | Guidelines: |
| Op-ed pieces are another way to go; and if you | | | | Home & Family (paying market) |
| query the right market, you could make some | | | | Guidelines: |
| good money while acquiring these published clips. | | | | Woman Abroad (offers both paying and |
| We all have opinions. If you can write about a hot | | | | non-paying opportunities) |
| subject and express your opinion on it succinctly | | | | Guidelines: |
| and objectively, you're in the position to write an | | | | The Sacramento Bee |
| op-ed piece. Let's go back to the standards of | | | | Guidelines: |
| learning issue. While you realize little Johnny needs | | | | Additional Op-Ed Markets include: |
| to get a good education, you also realize the | | | | Chicago Reader, Daily News of Los Angeles, Los |
| importance of playtime and "down time." You | | | | Angeles Times, New York Times, Philadelphia |
| don't want Johnny to be a prime candidate for a | | | | Inquirer, San Francisco Chronicle Forum, The Star |
| stress-induced heart attack at age 32. Many other | | | | Ledger, Star Tribune, The Chronicle of Higher |
| parents feel this way. Some don't. Some would | | | | Education and Washington Free Press. |