Monday, April 13, 2015

Build an Author Resume


Build an Author Resume


Think back to your first resume. What did you include? Perhaps you had a part-time job in high school. Maybe it was flipping burgers, but it showed life experience (or at least the willingness to get out of bed). You continued to build your skills by attending college, participating in clubs, or picking up another job.

When you applied for your first professional position, you were able to develop a resume that highlighted extra-curricular activities, leadership positions, and work experience. You gathered repeated success in smaller positions to land the big opportunity—the job.

The same is true in publishing. Agents and editors not only look for authors who can write a page-turning novel with interesting characters and unique story arc but also professionals who can deliver a manuscript on time—and not just once, but multiple times. They’re interested in working with partners who can help make their business profitable.

How can you demonstrate that you’re an author who delivers? Not just pizzas but professionalism. Build your writing resume.

There are numerous opportunities to cut your teeth, develop your voice, and build credibility by starting small. Short stories, magazine articles, and contests are great avenues to increase your author resume. Then, when it’s time to pitch a novel, you not only have a great story idea, you also have a proven background.

So start today. Here are a few opportunities available now:

"Path to Forgiveness" Anthology - Faith by Grace Publishing*
· Fiction or non-fiction
· 2,000-10,000 words
· Theme: Stories about people who seek forgiveness
· Submission Deadline: May 1, 2015
· Website: www.faithbygracepublishing.com/

Havok, an imprint of Splickety Publishing Group

· Flash Fiction: 1,000 words or less
· Contest Issue ($10 entry fee)
· Submission Deadline: May 8, 2015
· Theme: Sci-Fi vs. Fantasy
· Website: www.splicketypubgroup.com

Splickety Love, an imprint of Splickety Publishing Group
· Flash Fiction: 1,000 words or less
· Submission Deadline: June 5, 2015
· Theme: Smitten Summer
· Website: www.splicketypubgroup.com

Windhover: A Journal of Christian Literature, The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
· Open submissions for poetry, short fiction, non-fiction, and creative nonfiction
· Submission Deadline: August 1, 2015
· Website: http://undergrad.umhb.edu/english/windhover-journal

Relief: A Christian Literary Expression
· Open submissions for fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, graphic narrative, interviews
· Year-round submissions accepted
· Submission Guidelines: www.reliefjournal.com/submit-your-work/
· Website: www.reliefjournal.com
*Sourced by christwriters.info


Christina Weeks is author of www.MessyLifeFlashFiction.com—quick reads posted on the first and fifteenth of the month. In addition, she’s published in short fiction and commercial publications. She’s also worked at Walt Disney World, flown in a stunt plane, and raced a stock car. You can connect with Christina at:
· www.Facebook.com/ChristinaWeeks
· www.Twitter.com/ChristinaWeeks1
· www.Goodreads.com/Christina_Weeks


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