BECOMING A PUBLISHED WRITER IN HIGH SCHOOL
WELCOME, ALL HIGH SCHOOLERS!
Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in the arts or simply eager to share your ideas with the world, getting your work published is an amazing first step. The process of publication is as challenging and rewarding as the process of writing itself. Here, you determine how well you write under pressure from deadlines and develop tolerance to rejections. (Fair warning: The writing world is a competitive place. Tears will be shed.) You find your own style, your preferences and strengths, your weaknesses. You also rediscover what writing means to you.
Is it important enough that you would devote your days, weeks, even years to it?
If so, this is the webpage for you.
Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in the arts or simply eager to share your ideas with the world, getting your work published is an amazing first step. The process of publication is as challenging and rewarding as the process of writing itself. Here, you determine how well you write under pressure from deadlines and develop tolerance to rejections. (Fair warning: The writing world is a competitive place. Tears will be shed.) You find your own style, your preferences and strengths, your weaknesses. You also rediscover what writing means to you.
Is it important enough that you would devote your days, weeks, even years to it?
If so, this is the webpage for you.
By high school, I had an established interest in pursuing writing but didn't really know how to explore this interest on a broader scale.
Writing for publications was something I discovered when scrolling through the Internet, looking for literary journals to read. I saw that many (including the ones linked to the right) were open to submissions from anyone, regardless of their background. Sitting down to type, I realized I was, for the first time, writing not just for myself and my family members but for a whole audience with diverse interests and backgrounds. I've found writing for publications to be extremely rewarding and constructive. Nothing else, whether in school or otherwise, forces me to redefine, challenge, and explore my voice the way writing for publications does. |
My Published Works: o The New York Times o Eunoia Review o Blue Marble Review o Literary Yard o Teen Ink |
1. Write, write, write.
Pretty self-explanatory.
Write as often as you can, and don't stress about achieving perfection with each word you type (or hand-write, whichever works for you). The main goal is to get consistent practice, which helps you develop your own style and determine how serious you really are about writing. Also, once finished, share your writing with someone who will offer constructive criticism or give yourself some time away before revisiting the piece and editing on your own. |
2. Get to know your publications.
Each publication open to submissions has (you guessed it!) Submission Guidelines. Read these carefully, please, so you don't irritate the publication editors and/or readers. Take note of deadlines, submission fees, word count requirements, and expected submission formatting. Does the publication require pdfs via Submittable or emailed Word Docs? Is the publication open to submissions only from October to January or year-round?
Another self-explanatory tidbit: Make sure you're sending writing that fits the publication's image. A memoir is likely unwelcome at a humor site. A piece on skydiving might not fit a publication centered on giving voice to the minority. Take time and read previously accepted pieces from the publication. For web journals, simply check their archives. |
3. Submit your works and keep writing!
Once you submit your works, keep on writing. Take breaks, of course, but don't focus too much on waiting for responses.
Some publications take one to three days to respond, while others may take months. Response time is typically found in the Submission Guidelines. To keep track of your submissions, I recommend using a spreadsheet that shows title of work, date submitted, estimated response time, accepted/rejected, and other information you might want. This stops you from obsessively checking for responses and gives you more time to focus on your stories. |