Some of my fellow “Triond” members are published and accomplished writers, and I salute you.  I have tried to get my short stories published since 2005 with absolutely zero results.  This could be because I’m simply no good!  Conversely could it be there is no laid down easy to follow paths to being published?  I have taken a postal writing course from a very respected writing bureau and I have had compliments from my tutor on my writing skills.

Every year I buy an expensive writing guide listing all the major and minor publishing houses.  In Britain and abroad, I study this guide for hour upon hour and only send my work to a publishing house that specialises in my type of writing which is “Historical fiction” and “Science Fiction”  Most of the publishers I have approached want the short stories printed out in full on a high grade writing paper, they also insist on a self addressed envelope to accompany my submission for an answer on my work. 

Once the work is read I receive a rejection email! I don’t even rate a letter confirming my rejection, Several agencies practise this policy, they insist on a SAE and a full printed version of my work but only reject my work with a standard rejection email? Do they steam off the stamp and use them for their business?  Please don’t take this article as me just moaning about publishers.  I believe there is a real need for a system that writers can follow to get published.

I am not aware of another career path that operates such an outdated and sometimes cruel system for submitting work.  Many of the publishing houses want £25 to give you a reason for rejecting your work!

 Actors can employ an agency to promote their skills to television and film companies.  Singers can do the same and singers can also enrol in reality singing contests such as “X-Factor” and “American Idol” Can there not be a similar system for writers? Perhaps a format similar to the “X-Factor” and perhaps the lucky winner could receive a book deal for a year? Or a pilot T.V. program for their work if they write for T.V.