You love to write. You’re good at it, too. Your friends and family have been telling you for years that you have a gift, and you’ve finally decided to try your hand at writing a book. But there’s just one problem: you’re only 14 years old. You can’t help but ask yourself: can a teenager really get published?
The short answer is yes!
But it’s not going to be easy.
The publishing industry is notoriously difficult to break into, no matter your age. But don’t worry, as an eighteen-year-old published author, I’m here to help. In this post, I’ll give you some tips and advice on how to make your dream of being a published author a reality.
Keep Writing.
This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s important nonetheless. The more you write, the better you’ll become at your craft. And the better you become at your craft, the greater your chances of getting published will be.
So keep writing, even if it feels like you’re getting nowhere. The only way to improve is to practice, practice, practice!
Join a Workshop or Writing Group
If you want to become a published author, it’s important to surround yourself with other writers. This can be done by joining a local writing workshop or starting up your own writing group with friends who are also interested in becoming authors.
Having people around you who understand the challenges and obstacles you’re facing as a writer will make the journey that much easier. Plus, they can provide valuable feedback on your work-in-progress (WIP).
And speaking of feedback…
Get Someone to Read Your Work
Once you’ve written a few chapters of your book (or the whole thing, if you’re feeling ambitious), it’s time to find someone who can give you some constructive criticism.
This person should be someone whose opinion you trust and who will give honest feedback — even if it hurts. It can be helpful to find someone who isn’t afraid to point out flaws in your work so that you can fix them before submitting your manuscript to publishers or agents.
Don’t be Afraid to Self-Publish
Don’t forget; there’s always self-publishing!
These days, it’s easier than ever to get your book into the world, even if you have to do it yourself. So don’t give up hope — if traditional publishing routes don’t work out for you, there are always other options available.
Becoming a published teen author is no small feat, but it is achievable if you set your mind to it and are willing to put in the hard work required. Just remember to keep writing, join or start up a writing group for support, and get someone to read your work so that you can receive valuable feedback on your journey toward publication. With determination and perseverance, anything is possible!