And, depending on where you are, writers' conferences can be very good.
Nothing like a hands on eddication.

If you're a "genre" writer (e.g. science fiction/fantasy and probably
mystery), general SF/Fantasy (or Mystery) conferences often have a robust
writing track (or at least those of my increasingly dated experience
did).

Again, and it can't be stressed enough: beyond the nuts and bolts of how
to format a manuscript, go in with a large dose of caveat emptor (buyer
beware). Listen with an open mind, try out things that have resonance,
sure, but remember there are as many writing tricks as writers, and one
size never fits all, or even most. IMHO.

Our own Quinn Jackson has several pamphlets on writing -- Quinn, could
you repost your website for those?

Again, Lynn, welcome and best of luck....

On Mon, 26 May 2003 16:32:56 -0700  writes:
> >>Now that I am nearing the end of my book, can someone please tell 
> me the steps to getting it published.  I don't want to put the cart 
> before the horse, so to speak.  Do I have to have an agent, someone 
> to watch my back so that I don't get ripped?  How do I get a 
> copywright for my work?  As you can see, I am totally new at this.
> >>Thank you,
> >>Lynn
> >>
> >>Lynn Mundy
> 
> Hi again,
> 
> Having said all of that, I must also agree with Barb's advice. Don't 
> worry
> about being ripped off.  The probability of that is very, very 
> minimal. Worry
> instead about geting your MS into shape & into a package that is 
> clean and
> professional. You can also become informed about the biz of 
> publishing, it
> doesn't hurt. Talk to journalists & other writers, and editors and 
> so on. Do
> your research, read some books & explore some market sites on the 
> web. But,
> don't stop writing, Asimov said a writer should "get one MS in the 
> mail and
> then start two more". ALWAYS have an article or a short story "in 
> the mail" and
> one in the "works". I try, but -- well, the best laid plans. I have 
> the
> advantage of having a profession that requires writing & research, 
> and my
> fiction & poetry are the thing I love most, so I do it as often as I 
> can.
> Here's a couple of URLs: http://www.writersweekly.com,
> http://www.AbsoluteWrite.com, http://www.naww.org (National Asso. of 
> Women
> Writers). It doesn't hurt to get some idea about how modern writers 
> do
> marketing once the book is "out there" as well.  All the best of 
> luck, Lezlie
> 
> 
> 
> 


====
The finest amusements are the most pointless ones. --Jacques Chardonnes
====
Nature has made us frivolous to console us for our miseries. --Voltaire

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