Help for beginning writer

[mphstteach]

Hey guys!
I have recently finished my Masters degree in American history and my goal is to actually use it. I am a public school teacher but I have a drive to just write in my spare time and get some things published in publications like the Civil War monitor or other publications like that. I guess my question is this, how do you even begin that journey? Do I write the article first and then try and sell it to all these publications? Do I email these publications asking if they would even consider my work? I would love ANY advice our authors or anybody with any idea could give me.
Thanks,
Matt

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

Hey guys!
I have recently finished my Masters degree in American history and my goal is to actually use it. I am a public school teacher but I have a drive to just write in my spare time and get some things published in publications like the Civil War monitor or other publications like that. I guess my question is this, how do you even begin that journey? Do I write the article first and then try and sell it to all these publications? Do I email these publications asking if they would even consider my work? I would love ANY advice our authors or anybody with any idea could give me.
Thanks,
Matt

Sorry, no advice, but I admire your attitude ! Best of luck !

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

What's your topic area or area of knowledge about the war?

 

[AndyHall]

Matt, you have a great attitude.

A lot will of how you approach this will depend on what your writing/publishing experience is to date, and where the emphasis if your studies has been. Jumping straight into the Civil War Monitor and similar publications will be difficult if you're starting from baseline, but I'd suggest taking every opportunity to write and get your material out there, more for your own benefit in forming your own writing style and process.

It will be difficult to get into a major publication without either (1) already being known to the editors or (2) having really established yourself through other publication work. It's a bit of a conundrum -- can't be published unless you're establish, can't get established without publications -- but this should be a long=term project for you -- you know, a-marathon-not-a-sprint.

The usual practice when you want to pitch an idea to a publication or editor you haven't worked with before is to write short e-mail describing the proposed piece, your suitability (i.e. expertise) to write it, and any particular angle or approach that you're taking that makes your writing stand out -- this latter point is especially important when it comes to CW subjects, that have extensively covered over and over again. The editor may not respond at all, as some publications simply don't consider unsolicited submissions from authors they don't know, but give them the opportunity to request a full copy to consider. The probably will not read a full-length manuscript that drops in unannounced and unsolicited. If they do ask for a full manuscript to consider, though, you should be ready to send them one promptly, while they're still in the mood to consider it.

Finally, don't look to make any money at this. The monetary compensation tends to be very low, at least when you divide it out by the hours that went into it. The rewards are less tangible, and you should be writing because you want to tell the story.

 

[mphstteach]

What's your topic area or area of knowledge about the war?

I would say its general in regards to the war, the piece that i was thinking about would have to do with Stonewall. I live in WV and our government claims him as a favorite son of our state but i wanted to explore how Stonewall felt about the proposed state of WV and I would argue he would be quite keen to be remembered as a Virginian

 

[Allie]

Matt, you have a great attitude.

A lot will of how you approach this will depend on what your writing/publishing experience is to date, and where the emphasis if your studies has been. Jumping straight into the Civil War Monitor and similar publications will be difficult if you're starting from baseline, but I'd suggest taking every opportunity to write and get your material out there, more for your own benefit in forming your own writing style and process.

It will be difficult to get into a major publication without either (1) already being known to the editors or (2) having really established yourself through other publication work. It's a bit of a conundrum -- can't be published unless you're establish, can't get established without publications -- but this should be a long=term project for you -- you know, a-marathon-not-a-sprint.

The usual practice when you want to pitch an idea to a publication or editor you haven't worked with before is to write short e-mail describing the proposed piece, your suitability (i.e. expertise) to write it, and any particular angle or approach that you're taking that makes your writing stand out -- this latter point is especially important when it comes to CW subjects, that have extensively covered over and over again. The editor may not respond at all, as some publications simply don't consider unsolicited submissions from authors they don't know, but give them the opportunity to request a full copy to consider. The probably will not read a full-length manuscript that drops in unannounced and unsolicited. If they do ask for a full manuscript to consider, though, you should be ready to send them one promptly, while they're still in the mood to consider it.

Finally, don't look to make any money at this. The monetary compensation tends to be very low, at least when you divide it out by the hours that went into it. The rewards are less tangible, and you should be writing because you want to tell the story.

I'm not familiar with writing for Civil War publications, but it's my experience in writing for horse publications that something short can get your foot in the door. Also, take time to find out the name of the editor you're submitting to, instead of a generic cover letter. Even better if you have an intro to that person.

 

[mphstteach]

Matt, you have a great attitude.

A lot will of how you approach this will depend on what your writing/publishing experience is to date, and where the emphasis if your studies has been. Jumping straight into the Civil War Monitor and similar publications will be difficult if you're starting from baseline, but I'd suggest taking every opportunity to write and get your material out there, more for your own benefit in forming your own writing style and process.

It will be difficult to get into a major publication without either (1) already being known to the editors or (2) having really established yourself through other publication work. It's a bit of a conundrum -- can't be published unless you're establish, can't get established without publications -- but this should be a long=term project for you -- you know, a-marathon-not-a-sprint.

The usual practice when you want to pitch an idea to a publication or editor you haven't worked with before is to write short e-mail describing the proposed piece, your suitability (i.e. expertise) to write it, and any particular angle or approach that you're taking that makes your writing stand out -- this latter point is especially important when it comes to CW subjects, that have extensively covered over and over again. The editor may not respond at all, as some publications simply don't consider unsolicited submissions from authors they don't know, but give them the opportunity to request a full copy to consider. The probably will not read a full-length manuscript that drops in unannounced and unsolicited. If they do ask for a full manuscript to consider, though, you should be ready to send them one promptly, while they're still in the mood to consider it.

Finally, don't look to make any money at this. The monetary compensation tends to be very low, at least when you divide it out by the hours that went into it. The rewards are less tangible, and you should be writing because you want to tell the story.

Thanks for the response. It regards to number 1, where else should I look to get my writing out there? What types of publications?

 

[AndyHall]

I'm not familiar with writing for Civil War publications, but it's my experience in writing for horse publications that something short can get your foot in the door. Also, take time to find out the name of the editor you're submitting to, instead of a genetic cover letter. Even better if you have an intro to that person.

That approach certainly follows my experience.

 

[LostGettysburgAddress]

Matt: I was in a similar position twelve years ago after completing my M.A. in history. I first presented a paper I had written for one of my graduate seminars at the New England Historical Society conference. It was well-received and I approached a peer-reviewed journal with it and they published it. My thesis adviser and my mentor suggested that I could "mine" my thesis for several articles, so I took the most compelling chapter and approached The Georgia Historical Quarterly (another peer-reviewed journal) via email with a synopsis of the proposed article. They agreed to send it out for blind review and it was subsequently published. These two articles gave me a small degree of credibility, and led me to write regularly for a regional magazine. I made several other chapters from my thesis (all original research) into articles and developed some reputation for writing about Union supporters, free blacks and slaves in Civil War Georgia. This led to articles not directly related to my thesis. After 10 years of such "practice", if you will, I started working on my first book, not surprisingly about a Southern Union man. With the book just published last month, I am working on speaking engagements and seminars to build my platform as a full-fledged historian (second career).

As Andy so aptly points out, it is a journey and you have to work very hard and enlist the help of mentors and friends along the way. Most of the people you contact will not respond, but you only need a few to help you. If your scholarship is sound and your prose clean and engaging, you will gain some followers.

I wish I had engaged with this forum years ago, early in the process, as you have. There are very bright minds here and dozens of authors, from newbies to best-selling history rock stars. This is an excellent place to test out some of your ideas and learn from people who spend a lot of mental energy in the field.

Do some writing, find peers or mentors that will give you honest, critical feedback (not your mom or best friend), and get after it. There are books you can read on the craft of writing that can be helpful too. Good luck. we need more strong voices in this popular field.

 

[AndyHall]

Matt: I was in a similar position twelve years ago after completing my M.A. in history. I first presented a paper I had written for one of my graduate seminars at the New England Historical Society conference. It was well-received and I approached a peer-reviewed journal with it and they published it. My thesis adviser and my mentor suggested that I could "mine" my thesis for several articles, so I took the most compelling chapter and approached The Georgia Historical Quarterly (another peer-reviewed journal) via email with a synopsis of the proposed article. They agreed to send it out for blind review and it was subsequently published. These two articles gave me a small degree of credibility, and led me to write regularly for a regional magazine. I made several other chapters from my thesis (all original research) into articles and developed some reputation for writing about Union supporters, free blacks and slaves in Civil War Georgia. This led to articles not directly related to my thesis. After 10 years of such "practice", if you will, I started working on my first book, not surprisingly about a Southern Union man. With the book just published last month, I am working on speaking engagements and seminars to build my platform as a full-fledged historian (second career).

As Andy so aptly points out, it is a journey and you have to work very hard and enlist the help of mentors and friends along the way. Most of the people you contact will not respond, but you only need a few to help you. If your scholarship is sound and your prose clean and engaging, you will gain some followers.

I wish I had engaged with this forum years ago, early in the process, as you have. There are very bright minds here and dozens of authors, from newbies to best-selling history rock stars. This is an excellent place to test out some of your ideas and learn from people who spend a lot of mental energy in the field.

Do some writing, find peers or mentors that will give you honest, critical feedback (not your mom or best friend), and get after it. There are books you can read on the craft of writing that can be helpful too. Good luck. we need more strong voices in this popular field.

Good practical advice there.

 

[E_just_E]

Here is what I would do:
a. Start a blog on the subject. There are several sites that offer blogs access for free.
b. Write and write and then write some more
c. Look for a Civil War Roundtable or a Civil War related association that has a newsletter. Ask them if they are interested in printing one of your pieces in their newsletter
d. Ask the above if they are interested in hearing from you on the subject for 30 minutes
e. Repeat.

At that point, you would have established a decent amount of work on your blog, plus a CV of publications and talks. A lot of the mainstream magazines have "Instructions to Authors". Follow them with an idea about an article and send them a copy of your CV and the web site of your blog and wait to hear. Do not get discouraged if you hear negatively, just hit the next one

It takes time!

Good luck!

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

Hey guys!
I have recently finished my Masters degree in American history and my goal is to actually use it. I am a public school teacher but I have a drive to just write in my spare time and get some things published in publications like the Civil War monitor or other publications like that. I guess my question is this, how do you even begin that journey? Do I write the article first and then try and sell it to all these publications? Do I email these publications asking if they would even consider my work? I would love ANY advice our authors or anybody with any idea could give me.
Thanks,
Matt

Noticed you're Confederate ancestors. Wasn't Capt. W.A. "Devil Anse" Hatfield's in Carter's company ?

 

[mphstteach]

Noticed you're Confederate ancestors. Wasn't Capt. W.A. "Devil Anse" Hatfield's in Carter's company ?

That's the big debate, I even posted on here about it and it seems there is no consensus. Its darn hard to nail down these early Confederate rolls

 

[Scotsman]

Good advice in this thread.

I would add that it is wiser to make an unsolicited approach to a publisher only after you have finished the article/book. In that way, you are offering them a product, not just credentials and a promise to deliver something you hope they will like.

 

[unicornforge]

I suggest writing a book, and using Amazon to market it using their print-on-demand subsidiary.

 

[Dave Wilma]

I would say its general in regards to the war, the piece that i was thinking about would have to do with Stonewall. I live in WV and our government claims him as a favorite son of our state but i wanted to explore how Stonewall felt about the proposed state of WV and I would argue he would be quite keen to be remembered as a Virginian

You will need a different spin on anything already published. The Holy Grail of any history project is new evidence so unless you have found a trunk in an attic with Jackson's diaries, you have a steep slope.

Have you considered the genre of historical fiction? Take a real event with real people and get inside their heads. Show real history, but through your own characters.

 

[mphstteach]

You will need a different spin on anything already published. The Holy Grail of any history project is new evidence so unless you have found a trunk in an attic with Jackson's diaries, you have a steep slope.

Have you considered the genre of historical fiction? Take a real event with real people and get inside their heads. Show real history, but through your own characters.

Im not ready to write a novel

 

[bankerpapaw]

All I can offer is a hardy congratulations for getting your Master's Degree.

 

[AndyHall]

All I can offer is a hardy congratulations for getting your Master's Degree.

Yep, no small thing. But a masters in history is writing- and research intensive, so he's off to a good start.

 

[mphstteach]

Yep, no small thing. But a masters in history is writing- and research intensive, so he's off to a good start.

That was my thinking and thank you. I have written a ton but finding that topic that piques interest to readers not just for my own research is the task