Vicki Hinze © 2003-2011
Q. I work, I’m active in my community, I have a lot going on and I don’t have a lot of time to invest in finding out where to sell what I write. Is there an efficient way to do it?
A. Time is a challenge for all of us, and there are few writers who don’t feel like they’re master jugglers–usually, failing master jugglers, because there’s always so much to do and so little time to do it. You’re doing yourself a huge favor by seeking efficiency and not denying the work must be done, because it certainly must. That’s a huge juggler point in your favor.
There are guides to help, such as Writer’s Digest Market Guides and Literary Marketplace. Those are wonderful tools but they do not replace your going to the bookshelves or magazine racks to see who is doing what or paying attention to market news of who wants what.
Another excellent resource that has been around for many years now and has always been reliable is The Gila Queen. Monthly (I think they’re actually every three or so weeks) issues focus on different specific markets, but there is always something to be gained for all writers. There is a fee, but it’s nominal for the information you gain and the time savings. I’m going from memory but it did run about $20 to subscribe for *I think* 20 issues. There once was a single issue purchase available and could still be. I can’t answer that. But Kathy Ptacek, the editor of The Gila Queen, can tell you all you need to know. Her email address is: GilaQueen@aol.com and the website URL is: www.gilaqueen.us.
Understand now that this covers a lot of different markets. An issue could focus on mystery or romance or science fiction or fantasy or inspirational or children’s or some other topic. I don’t know what you write, but I do know that getting a grip on the entire industry is as beneficial to selling as is getting a grip on your particular genre or sub-genre.
Of course, there are the writers’ groups and loops and links as well, but those do require an investment of time, which is why I thought the Gila Queen Report would better meet your needs, since the only time investment it requires from you is to read it.
