My daughter wants to be a writer. She’s written a lot of short stories that I think have some merit. We live in a very small town and don’t have many resources for creative writing. I’m also worried about publishing scams that might prey on her. How can I help her grow her writing skills and navigate the world of publishing (when it comes to it?)
Gina, St. Louis, MI
Hi, Gina!
It’s great to hear that you’re encouraging your daughter to explore her potential as a writer! We’d encourage you to look for virtual writing organizations, or national/global organizations like the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, which has regional chapters that frequently host conferences centered around writing. If she knows other students who are interested in writing and publishing, perhaps she could consider creating her own Creative Writing club at school with the help of a trusted English teacher. As far as publishing her actual work goes, you’ll have a lot of fine print to read and it’s vital that you do so. Many mainstream publishers, whether they be traditional book publishers, magazines, or online publications, have rules that prohibit publishing works by minors or have special rules that must be adhered to. A general rule to consider if you want to actually publish her work is that a reputable publisher will never ask you to pay anything in order for her work to be published, period. The “publishers” who pop up in your inbox saying “Pay us $500 and we’ll publish your book” are called subsidy publishers and, yes, they are scams. Some online publishers do charge a small submission fee (usually between $5-$10) to pay their editors, and that, however, is normal. Another important aspect of publishing is the ability to take constructive criticism and to deal with rejection. Help her to understand that, if she does send things out for publication, rejection is a very normal part of the journey and she should not be discouraged when she receives her first few rejection letters. Continue to encourage her and help her grow. With that knowledge, you’re more equipped to help her along in her publishing journey.
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At VT we have several different creative writing-focused classes, book clubs, and more. Check out our creative writing classes and workshops here!