Position:Home>Books & Authors> What age can I expect to be taken seriously as an author?

Obviously, the older you are the more the general public will believe you are a good writer (the public just assumes teens can't write)!. To many people, having an agent or book published with a major house (not a vanity or epub) is when they consider any writer a "real author"!.

Agents and publishers don't particularly care how old you are, just how good your work is!. You don't have to tell them your age unless they offer to buy your work because your parents will have to sign the contract for you until you are of legal age!. If they can use your young age as part of the marketing of your work, they will (how many people would have read Eargon if the author had been in his 20s instead of his teens!?)!.

Most movie watchers have no clue who wrote the book or script!. For a lot of them, who the actors are and maybe the director is gets more attention!.

You don't have to be dead first, either!. Quality work generally gets noticed whether you're dead or alive!. Being dead does not garuntee bestseller placement!. Often, a deceased author gains popularity as notice of his work continues after his death, but that notice would have happened even if he hadn't died!. Very few dead authors are famous because they died, unless their death was especially tragic!.

If you want to be taken seriously, you need to learn as much as you can about writing and the publishing industry as a whole!. Few people give much respect to those whose only knowledge about being an author is that they want to write and be rich/famous like some other author!. BTW, few writer's make their living at writing novels!.

Learn how to spot a scam before it bites you!. Nothing is more sad than a potential good author getting sucked into a scam, believing that their dreams have come true, and eventually realizing they've scammed!.

See if your school library has books on the craft of writing, including the writer's market (lots of useful information in there)!. Visit the websites of publsihers and/or authors you like, many of them have information about writing and the industry, and links to other useful sites, including blogs!.

Know how to format a manuscript (especially for those agents or publishers that have specific requirements)!. Join some respectable writer's groups online (you'll find them in links on various sites), and be willing to take harsh criticism (you can't improve as a writer without it)!. Realize that friends, family, and teachers are not the most reliable souce of whether or not your work is good (just because your cousin loves it doen't mean an agent will)!.

Most agents and publishers do not take short stories (unless they are looking to complete an anthology)!. Learn what is considered a short story (5000 words is still short)!. There are magazines that take short stories, but many of them have a word limit (like 2000 words)!. Some novel genres typically have a "publishable size" (50,000-90,000, or 90,000-120,000 words, for example) but that doesn't mean a shorter or longer work can't get published if it's a good book!.

Getting published can take years, even for good books (they can get rejected for a variety of reasons besides the writing itself)!.

Keep writing, and reading!. All crafts take time and practice!.

Www@QuestionHome@Com

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There is no set age!. I had my first work published in a magazine when I was 11!. I have been writing ever since I could form words!.!.!.
You can submit articles to magazines and publishers of romance books without revealing your age!. As a previous post stated, look for the requirements of each publication or publishing house and follow their guidelines!. I would also suggest that you enter as many writing competitions as you can, always following their guides and that will help you see what is required for each genre!. I wish you well, and yes, do as many courses as you can!. Do talk to your parents and show them your work!. I would also show your teachers!. I hope they encourage you!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Before you get too far down the road to expecting publication you need to have an objective person whose opinion you respect to review the book you want published!. The school Liberian, Guidance Counselor, etc!. Not one of your teachers, friends or family!. Plus, the most important part, you have to be prepared for criticism!. If your feelings are easily hurt writing is not the profession for you!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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you should talk it out with your parents first! but you can be taken seriously at any age! i am young like you and i am about to publish a book of my own! it just takes hard work and dedication! and a good publisher!. once your parents know i am pretty sure they would love to help!!Www@QuestionHome@Com

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As long as you have talent, people will take you seriously!. Some of the best writers started writing early!. Just write often and write what you know--you can't go wrong!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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I have taken your question seriously so I feel that any age will do as long as your writings are interesting!. Keep at it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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First and foremost, agents and publishers consider the work rather than the author, and if you are an exceptionally talented 13yr old then your youth might actually work in your favour!.

Get a copy of The Writers and Artists Yearbook- this is annual publication which lists all publishers and agents, and sometimes submission guidelines!. also, subscribe to Writers News- this is a monthly magazine that provides lots of industry tips- I found my publisher through it!.

It's important to bear in mind that it is very, very difficult to get published, but if you keep trying then you WILL eventually get your break!. It took me five years worth of practise to write anything that somebody else considered worthy!. I don't mind- I consider the time spent as an apprenticeship, and some of the fun has gone now that I know that I can make money doing something that I had previously done for pleasure!.

Don't PAY anybody to read your work- reputable agents and publishers do this for free, and if you work is close but no cigar, then they will provide some constructive criticism!. also, never, EVER give your work away just so that you can get a publishing credit!.

S!.E!. Hinton was 18 when she did 'Rumblefish', so you are not too young at all!. Good luck!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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You wont be taken seriously a a writer until you are:
A)picked up by Hollywood and they turn your book into a movie - this is disgraceul, but it's how most of the world will come to know of your works because half the world is illiterate and stupid
OR
B) You're dead!.

Seriously, just start sending stuff to magazines that accept fiction works and when you have been published in a few then send a bigger piece, like a 5,000 short story to a publishing agent with a resume that has a list of places you've been published
Additionally, do a writing course if you can, most of them tell you the set-out the writers want their submissions in and this makes it easier to stand out from a large pile of messy pieces!
Good-luck, I would love to hear some of your work!.!.I don't want you to take offense to this, but I love reading amateur works!.!.!. Email me via my profile!Www@QuestionHome@Com

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