Would you like to become a WU Contributor?
Therese Walsh on Feb 16 2010 | Filed under: Uncategorized
So Kath and I were thinking: Now that we’re both published, there’s a bit of a hole in the cast here at WU — namely the voice of the Unpublished Writer. We’re still hashing out specifics, but we’d love to know your thoughts on this one. Poll time!
Thoughts? Questions? Let us know in comments.
Therese Walsh co-founded Writer Unboxed in 2006. Her debut novel, The Last Will of Moira Leahy, sold to Random House in a two-book deal in 2008, was named one of January Magazine’s Best Books of 2009, and was a Target Breakout Book in 2010. She's never been published with a lit magazine, but LOST's Carlton Cuse liked her haiku best on Twitter, and that made her pretty happy.
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Hi Therese and Kath,
If the Writer Unboxed Team decides to go ahead with this, I would love to be considered (come on, who wouldn’t?).
Thanks for the great content on the site. I’m looking forward to see where you guys take it.
Cheers!
Rebecca
.-= Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist´s last blog ..That’s not how it happened, Isabel Allende! =-.
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I look forward to finding out what you decide. This blog offers such amazing reads that adding an unpublished would just add little extra flavour, and of course I would love to try for the slot too.
.-= Dolly´s last blog ..Guest Post by Adam Slade – On Editing Experience =-.
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I have to echo Rebecca, Who *wouldn’t* want to be part of this great site!
Question: Do you still count as “unpublished” if you’re published in short fiction? Obviously, you are technically published (and yes, it was a paid credit), but what if you’re also an aspiring novelist with no published novels as of yet?
Ugh, I hate loopholes. Let me know.
~Lydia
.-= Lydia Sharp´s last blog ..A BIG THANK YOU! =-.
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Lydia, you’d qualify, since you’re unpubbed in novel-length fiction.
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I have an agent and will be going on submission soon. If you’d be interested in that perspective as well, I’d love to throw my hat in the ring!
.-= Debra Schubert´s last blog ..SUBLIMINAL MONDAY: Meeting Awesome Agent – The Ballad of B & D =-.
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It might be especially interesting to hear from a writer who DECIDED not to become published, or who self published by choice due to the state of the publishing industry. There’s so much to be said about that nowadays. I’d be glad to chat about this if you want to explore.
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How exciting!
I’d love to know more about your expectations (frequency of posting, length of posts, topics to cover (or avoid), etc.) for the potential new contributor.
.-= Kristan´s last blog ..In it for the long haul =-.
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Of course! How great! Can’t wait to hear what you decide–I’ll be the first to throw my hat in the ring.
@AnneGBrown
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From the votes that have come in so far, it seems clear that your readers would like to have the perspective of an unpublished author and that most of us are jumping in to say “Yes! Yes! I’d like a shot!”
Thanks for the opportunity.
.-= Yat-Yee´s last blog ..Grab-A-Line Monday =-.
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Kristan, we’re leaning twice a month right now — once every two weeks. Subject to change!
As for length: You know us — it varies wildly here. Just my opinion, but I think this post by Jane Friedman is a good example of perfect length: http://writerunboxed.com/2009/12/18/5-things-that-make-me-stop-reading-websites-blogs/
Topics: Anything that can help empower other unpubbeds would be ideal, though posts wouldn’t have to always center around the journey to publication.
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Wow, that was a quick reply. :) Thanks!
And I wanted to let you know I received my copy of Becky Levine’s book. LOVE IT!
.-= Lydia Sharp´s last blog ..A BIG THANK YOU! =-.
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Yes, yes, and yes! A great idea to add an unpublished writer to the mix, to keep that fresh perspective on the stuggles that face a unpublished writers especially as the industry is changing so rapidly.
I’d love to apply for the position, where do I submit my writing sample?!
.-= Suzanne´s last blog ..15 February 2010 =-.
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Oooh, lots of interest. This is good!
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just a suggestion: make it an open mike type thing from your unpub’d followers? keep it themed…or not
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or pull from a ‘stable’ you create of your unpub’d followers instead of just one
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I think that’s a great idea, to keep different perspectives going and to keep the blog fresh and up to date.
I’d love to be considered if/when you choose to lock down a new contributor.
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I’d love to be considered!
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I have to agree with the others, I’d love to be considered. This is an amazing blog and to be invited to participate with you guys would be great.
.-= Vicki´s last blog ..Nephele Tempest in the TARA House =-.
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Sounds awesome! Looking forward to hearing if you go ahead with the idea. Obviously there are plenty of us out there interested in submitting :)
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Pardon the bluntness….but…DUH!!!! :)
.-= DL Hammons´s last blog ..Love At First Sight Blogfest =-.
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I’d love the chance to be a part of WU! Where do I sign up?
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Ah, yes! I’d love to have a chance! I’ll keep my eyes open for more details.
I’m going to consider myself “unpublished” because I self-published, if that’s okay.
.-= Erika Robuck´s last blog ..Voodoo and Fiction Sales =-.
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Would it be a guest post or permanent position of every two weeks?
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It would be great to channel out new authors, although I have self published my first book and working on my second I still feel I need exposure. Therefore, your plan is great. thanks
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Yes, yes, and yes! Great idea, and I know I’d love to be considered.
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Echoing Rebecca, Lydia and others: who wouldn’t want to participate? It’s a great idea whether it’s one person or somehow rotating: writers will find lots of encouragement hearing from someone who is still working toward their “first,” and the perspective will round out an already great site. I’d love to be considered!
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I like Thea’s idea of rotating this, because I can see there are plenty of great potential contributors to this slot.
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Echoing EVERYONE. I read this blog whenever there’s a new post. What a thrill it’d be to contribute! I smell a contest . . . ;)
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I think an unpubbed pov is very helpful. I write a lot in my blog about my life and my fears of failure, but also my fear of success. I’d love to be considered for the unpubbed, but hopeful spot. We are all so many things besides writers that it can be nice to have a voice that focuses on those other concurrent aspects of ourselves, and then thrilling when the writer aspect wins the day, making way for a new unpubbed voice.
.-= Kimberly Parsley´s last blog ..I am blessed =-.
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I fear that if I spent some of my precious few writing moments contributing, I would be able to pen the Unpublished Writer column indefinitely!
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no, no contests on this idea. i say make it a call for submissions and then you all decide.
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What a thoughtful and intriguing idea to include an unpublished writer to the mix. Thanks for considering it. I’m sure it will only add to the richness of your site.
.-= June´s last blog ..Valentine Book Giveaway: Indulge in a little romance! =-.
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Another voice to the resounding yes, of course.
I also really like the suggestion of pulling from a group of unpubbed writers so people can hear different points of view. It would also help with schedule requirements since I imagine almost every unpubbed author reading here maintains their own blog plus possible other guest blog commitments (platform platform platform, right?).
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I love the idea! And of course I would absolutely love to put my hand up for the position…
I’d be happy to submit a list of ideas for posts as well as a writing sample. (Just throwing that in the ring as well!)
Thanks for thinking of us!
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All right, I’d say that was a positive response! Kath and I will unveil a plan next week. Stay tuned…
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Thanks for the answers to my Qs, Therese! And I have to second (or at this point is it third or fourth?) Thea’s idea. I love the idea of having a “stable” of unpubbed writers that take turns with it. (You could also just have one tab for all of them up top, and they can share a Bio page. I think it’d be cute! Hehehe. But of course, it’s y’all’s blog!)
.-= Kristan´s last blog ..In it for the long haul =-.
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Here’s my resume for the spot:
I’ve written a novel (revised many times).
I’ve written a query (revised many more times).
I’ve started a new novel to keep busy during the process.
I’m determined to snag an agent and become a published author. Or at least enjoy a lot of chocolate along the journey.
More info: http://www.margokelly.net
:) Margo
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I think it’s a fabulous idea, but I’m wondering what stage of “unpublished” you’re considering. For instance, the finished-X-novels-and-actively-subbing, or beating-head-against-manuscript-but-determined-to-finish stage of being unpublished?
Also, one of the things I love about this blog is the generosity of contributors in replying to one another, the willingness to offer encouragement and tips. Will that be an explicit goal of the senior contributors to the junior member(s)? Or will it remain on a casual basis?
.-= hope101´s last blog ..TartStretch – a Gift from my Brother to You =-.
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One more question: Are you open to a slighly zany writing style or method of exploring issues?
.-= hope101´s last blog ..TartStretch – a Gift from my Brother to You =-.
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What an amazing opportunity for someone unpublished! Not to mention the invaluable feedback sure to be gained from readers through being on this site.
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Like Hope, I am wondering what level of unpublished you are seeking? When I first started writing I thought I had it all figured out, and would be published asap. Made the rookie mistake of querying before finishing the book. Had a rather rude awakening when I learned that my query writing ability was much stronger than my novel writing. Now I’m no longer in a rush, and understand that it takes time to learn how to write a book, to create a compelling story. Have finally finished a first draft, and am in the discovery/revising phase. What I have been doing over the past few years is a lot of analyzing and studying why certain books and authors draw me in and why others leave me cold. I have lots of ideas about this and many more questions and that would be what I’d likely focus on if I were to participate in a writer’s blog. It’s something I look for and am drawn to in other blogs, that analysis of what seems to be working and how can I learn and use that information with my own writing?
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I agree with some of the others who have said a rotating contribution would be good. As unpublished/self-published/indie-published writers, many would have a great contribution to make.
The difficulty of being outside mainstream is that one tends to view oneself as the second rung, the almost-but-not-quite, the (Gods forbid) never-good- enough. And bearing in mind that only 1% ever make mainstream, that isn’t necessarily true. There is some damn good writing out there that just can’t crack the barrier. So to hear other stories in relation to whatever topic may be deemed suitable by the WU Panel, would be really great reading . . .
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I’d love to see some unpublished authors on WU. I think a rotating cast of the unpublished/indie crowd would be great, and I’d love to be one of them if you decide to go ahead.
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Off topic, but I’ll throw this idea in as well….
I’d LOVE to see a regular spot from someone who writes non-fiction. Lots of possibilities that would have great cross-over appeal for fiction writers.
Where do non-fiction writers go for ideas? How do you research? What are the challenges of writing narrative non-fiction…particularly in regard to keeping it interesting while still sticking to the facts. And then there’s the marketing aspect of things. How do you establish your platform as a non-fiction writer? Where do you promote your books?
Holly
http://www.wondersandmarvels.com
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It’d be so cool to be a regular contributor to this great website. I’ve contributed here once before about social networking, but I don’t know if I fall in the category of unpublished if you include scripts for TV.
Come to think of it, 10 novels later, I think of gotten used to being published the untraditional route…
Anyway, you’ve always had excellent contributors to this site, and whomever you choose I’m sure will be up to the challenge!
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I’m very new to writing, but I’d love to be considered as a Writer Unboxed contributor. I have completed the first draft of a prologue and 3 chapters of a YA novel. I’ve recently started a small blog devoted primarily to occasional reviews of online resources for writers. I’d be glad to submit a sample of the WIP, commentary about the world of writing, or both.
-Steve
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Can I play Devil’s advocate here? (I’m probably shooting myself in the foot with this one, but there you go…)
As much as I think the idea of a rotating contribution sounds good, I actually think a single person discussing their journey would work better. There are dozens of blogs by struggling writers out there to read. Stories of rejection by unpublished writers abound. I wonder if a rotating contribution might end up being a journey through front pages of blog entries…
What is fascinating is the process… by which I mean actually getting to watch someone’s journey from manuscript to shelf. This is one of the elements I’ve found so fascinating about Writer Unboxed so far.
There’s no doubt a rotating contribution would keep more applicants happy – we’d all be in with a better chance to speak and be heard then. But I wonder if it would be the right thing for Writer Unboxed?
*goes off to kick self*
Vic K
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I have to agree with Vic K. (Probably shooting myself in the foot as well, but I’m willing to live with a limp.) While I like the idea of rotating writers to get different points of view, I think following one writer through their journey is even more powerful. You begin to connect on a personal level with them, invest in them, learn from them, cry, and rejoice with them. Like Vic K, it’s one of the things I loved most about this website. I’ve been inspired by Therese and Kath’s journey and can’t wait to see who’s next! What about this…a regular unpublished contributor posting once a month followed by a guest unpublished slot once a month? Why can’t we have our cake and eat it too? Either way, I’m up for throwing my hat into the ring.
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Heather, that’s exactly what we’re thinking right now. One of the two slots would be for a single new contributor–a permanent slot–and the other would be a rotating spot. (So you and Vic can stop kicking yourselves! Maybe there’s a best of both worlds here.)
As for the “what level of unpublished question,” I’m not sure we can answer that. Maybe someone with an agent who’s just about to go on on submission isn’t right for this–and for the best of reasons, right?–but we wouldn’t want to limit ourselves here. That said, it would be nice to see someone in the permanent position who’s in the early stages of writing a wip, who has hope and confidence in their story, but who probably has a number of important hurdles to jump through; that means we can all be here, on the sidelines, cheering when those hurdles are conquered and learning vicariously along the way.
Hope 101, quirky is good, fresh is fabulous. Yes.
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Well, I came upon this message a bit late. Will slow and steady win the race? I am the tortoise, really. Last spring, while hiking with a friend, she just charge, charge, charged up the hill while I waved and said, “Yep, I’m coming.” And I did. Just a bit late.
I like this idea of rotating contributors, maybe no more than two, though. May I suggest a tortoise and a hare?
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Welcome, my guest, Colin Barron =-.
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I love the idea of two unpublished writer slots–one that stays consistent every month and one that rotates between other people.
I don’t think the rotation would end up like a front page of all the struggling writers on the web. If they only have one chance to write, that will be their push to write something deeper than ‘I am a struggling writer.’
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I would love to throw my hat in the ring as well! I’ve been at this wonderfully torturous endeavor for a while now, and wouldn’t change a moment of my journey. When I became a more committed, daily writer, the magic started to happen. Voices started to call, and characters appeared. I’ve studied under the watchful eye of a master storyteller, Patricia Reilly Giff. Pat teaches us, life happens, kids grow, and dinner often cooks itself…the writer keeps on writing, staying connected to that elusive thread of story and holding on tight!
Your website is an inspiration, by the way. The topics are so real and relevant with tremendous professional appeal. Thank you!
.-= Gael Lynch´s last blog ..Hearing Voices…and Going Along for the Ride =-.
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How about the perspective of an unpublished writer who is a #TwitterPimpAngel? I work that social network, baby, and I work it good. When I turned 40, I decided I needed a career change and finally pursued my dream of writing. At my age and trying to break in, I’m like Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinnie *foot stomping* “The clock is TICKING!” I am pimping myself in screenwriting (adapting a 2009 Pulitzer with its author for the big screen), freelance articles and also writing a novel. I will write for food, a good laugh… or tequila. Would love to be considered as a contributor.
.-= Jeanne Veillette Bowerman @jeannevb´s last blog ..The Honest Scrap Award =-.
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I’d love the chance to contribute to the site, I love the interviews and tips you provide, and I’d love to be able to “give back.”
.-= Rob Gokee´s last blog ..“Sir, You Need to Wear Pants on This Flight.” =-.
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I learned a lot from writing my first novel, namely that there comes a point when you must let it go and move on to the next one. After several rounds of rejection and revision, I buried my first manuscript in my desk drawer and dove head first into my second. I recently finished my first draft and am in the throes of the editing process. I’ve been sharing my journey on my blog, “Beyond the Gray”, and my readers have told me that my advice would work really well here on Writer Unboxed. I’d loved to be considered!
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[...] 22nd, 2010 by Writer Unboxed We’ve been overwhelmed and touched with the response to our call for a new contributor, one who’ll be our voice for the Unpublished Writer, and we’re excited about adding a [...]
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