As we all know, getting published ISN’T EASY. I’d also like to modify a quote that my late grandmother, who I call RaRa used to say. RaRa always said, “Getting old isn’t for sissies.” Well, she’s right about that, BUT, I’d like to say this, “Getting published isn’t for sissies either.” There are six big companies (all based in NY ironically) that are responsible for making it nearly impossible for breakthrough authors to get into the industry.
One of the “requirements” that I’ve heard of, is that you need a literary agent in order to get a publisher. Well, that may be the case if you want to get in with the BIG SIX, such as Penguin, St. Martin’s Press, etc., BUT that is NOT always the case when it comes to small press publishers. I am living proof of that.
With the rising of the e-publishing industry, it has been easier and easier for new, small press publishers to come out into the world. While there are some that will only take you if you have an agent, there are PLENTY out there that will take you even if you don’t have one. There are people like Otherworld Publications, who dedicate their time to help out new authors like me make their dreams come true.
Now, I didn’t find Otherworld Publications right away. No. In fact, I wrote dozens of query letters to agents, and received just as many rejection letters. After a while, all of those rejection letters started to get to me. I started to believe that maybe I really wasn’t good enough to be published. BUT, I kept trying. I networked, I read blogs, I made contacts. I started up my own literary magazine to help other authors out there that were going through the same thing.
Then FINALLY, several months later, through an ad on Facebook, I stumbled across an ad for my editor, Crystal Clear Proofing. I checked out her page, and saw that she worked for Otherworld and another publishing company. I had never heard of either company, so did my research, and queried Otherworld. I got to know Lynn through emails, and loved what she did with Otherworld. After further investigation, I eventually signed with Otherworld.
Working with Lynn has had its ups and downs, but we’ve had more ups. She has helped me every step of the way with publishing all three of my stories: Prince of Darkness, Murderous Regrets and Moon Spirit. PLUS, she has hooked me up with an AMAZING publicist named Heidi. She is actually the one who helped me organize this lovely tour.
Anyway, the bottom line is, getting published isn’t for sissies, but if you are determined enough to put yourself out there, then go for the gold! It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears, and A LOT of late nights, but the rewards are great in the end!
About The World Among Us:
In The World Among Us, Hades, the god of the Underworld, plots to take over the world, and remove Gaia, the head Deity, from power. In order to do so, he plots against his own son, Damien, and cons him into killing his soul mate, the beautiful goddess of the moon, Selene. Hades does so, because Gaia is his natural enemy, and Selene is her favorite grandchild. He thinks that by killing off Gaia’s favorite grandchild, he will weaken her. With Selene out of the way, Hades then moves in on the Creatures of the Night. He wants to kill off their leader, Jason Aysel. Jason is the go-between person between worlds, and another person that Gaia highly regards. Hades manipulates and cons Jason’s best friend, Leon Greene, into murdering him, by offering him Jason’s position as his reward. Because of these actions, a war is to take place on earth between the gods and other Creatures of the Night. During this time, Selene is reincarnated, and kept hidden as a secret weapon to win the war against Hades. In order to win the war of wars, the gods and some of the demons will have to fight together, and learn to co-operate with each other. Will the Titans and Olympians be able to set aside their differences, and take back the world from Hades? Or is the world as we know it, doomed to fall under Dark Shadows, forever?
Fiction Young Adult
Urban Fantasy
Ages 14+
About the Author:
Beth Ann has been writing since she was 15 years old, and was published in the 2002 Schreiber Times. She took creative writing classes in college, and feels that they helped her become the writer she is today. In addition to writing the sequel to The World Among Us, she participates in an international anthology project, where writers from around the world come together to share their talent.
Originally starting as a writing assignment for college, The World Among Us series has sparked up a role playing group online, and a fan base of over 1,000 followers on Facebook, and over 600 followers on Twitter.
Beth Ann lives in New York where she is a legal assistant and does a lot of volunteer work down at her church. For more information about Beth & her books, please visit her website www.bethannmasarik.com and her blog at www.bahbammymusings.wordpress.com
THE GIVEAWAY:
I am giving away the following:
a signed paperback copy of The World Among Us: Prince of Darkness
a Fanclub t-shirt
an autographed poster
a bookmark
and a TWAU pin
To enter, please leave a comment here on Tymothy’s blog to show him some love and away that I can contact you. This contest will run through Feb. 24th, so you will have a couple of days to enter. I will automatically add you to the rafflecopter. OR, you can fill out the rafflecopter by going to the blog post from the 19th, which can be found here, and fill it out J Or you can join me on Natasha’s blog tomorrow and fill it out there. Her blog is http://dreamlandteenfantasy.blogspot.com/
And now, for the scavenger hunt:
Tell me who your favorite character is in mythology and any kind of lore. It does not have to be Greek Mythology related. Send me your entries to contests@bethannmasarik.com with the subject scavenger hunt.
Thank you all for participating, and for following my tour. And thank you, Tymothy for hosting me today!
For those of you who have won previous contests, you will receive your prizes next month. I’d like to send them all out at once so that I get one big postage bill as opposed to a lot of little ones J
ALL of my contests are international, so please come on and enter!
Please join me tomorrow, February 22, 2012 on http://dreamlandteenfantasy.blogspot.com/
Beth Ann, this is epic. I’m glad to have hosted you and as you know, I love that cover and look forward to reading A World Among Us! Word!
Aspire No More 