Ms. Deb, as her students affectionately call her, is the CEO & Founder of Creative Writing Institute, and the former A-1 Writing Academy (now defunct).
"The A-1 Academy was a pilot program built within the virtual walls of a large writer's group," said Deborah. "In the first year we drew 600 students, but I wanted to reach the public. In another year Creative Writing Institute was created. It is a high-quality, low cost writing school with full-time mentors and small classes. Even distressed students and seniors can afford our prices."
Creative Writing Institute now partners with http://bookpleasures.com to bring the best and most up-to-date information available to creative writers everywhere. Check out the new school by Clicking Here.
When there are so many creative writers
out there, why is it that so relative few are published? Could it be
that they don't have the self-confidence to move forward to
publication? Or is it because they don't know how to get published?
Every creative writer soars when they see their first byline.
Every writer should have that experience. Seeing your work in print
is something that will never grow old. Call it a pride thing, if you
will. Call it an ego trip. Call it self-centered. Call it what you
want. Published writers call it slavery and reward, zest and zeal,
salary and bonus.
So how do you get your work published? It
really isn't that hard. The hard part is in your self-discipline to
follow through. Try these things:
1. Go to your local
newspaper and ask for a reporting job. Local papers usually have an
opening for a reporter that will cover such things as Chamber of
Commerce events, School Board reports, and sports functions.
2.
It makes little difference whether or not you get that job. There are
other ways to wiggle your way into a newspaper. Look for accidents to
report. While you wait for the mess to be cleared away, interview
people who saw the accident and take pictures. (The paper will give
you $5 extra for each picture they use.) Ask one of the policemen
which officer is in charge. Go up to that officer with all the brass
in your bones and tell him you are a stringer for _________ (name of
local paper). (Anyone can be a stringer.) Ask if you can see him
after the accident is cleared away. At that time, he will give you
the names, ages, and perhaps addresses of those involved in the
accident. This is time sensitive reporting, so get it to the
newspaper quick.
3. Look for people who have unusual hobbies
and interview them. Turn the interview into your local newspaper, and
don't forget the pictures.
4. Look for people doing weird
things – like skiing down a dry street in the spring. That really
happened. That was a news story waiting to be written!
5.
Keep the money rolling by resubmitting the same stories to small
newspapers all over the United States. The library will supply you
with an extensive list of thousands of newspapers. One article
regularly resubmitted can net you hundreds of dollars!
6.
When you have shown your local newspaper editor that you can get the
job done, and done well, go back and ask for that reporting job over
and over. Fill out an application. One of these days a spot will open
up and guess who he will think of first. You.
The great thing
about submitting news articles is that it doesn't take much talent;
beginners have a good shot at being published; and it is a great way
to get your first published clippings. Newspapers pay on acceptance,
too, so it is quick money. Start reporting today!