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How Does a Great Comic Get a Job Writing?

If you’ve followed my work for any length of time, you know I’m not a career counselor and don’t give advice on job-seeking and career-choosing, because I don’t believe there’s one right answer for everybody. However, since a lot of people look to me for guidance on these issues, I thought I would weigh in and share my thoughts and experiences. 

“The most important thing is to be true to yourself and know what you want”

The first and most important thing you need to do if you want to become a writer is to figure out what you want. There are dozens of different ways to be a writer and one of the best things you can do for yourself is to figure out what type of writer you want to be. To me, a writer is someone who puts their thoughts into words and can tell a story, whether it’s a novel, play, or screenplay, etc. You don’t need to be limited by this box, though it’s a great place to start if you’re looking to break into the field. For example, if you have a strong opinion on politics and feel strongly enough about a particular politician, you can write a novel or political satire feature about them for TV or film. In my humble opinion, being a good writer is being able to write well and creatively, something I could never teach, but also being able to connect with and evoke thoughts and emotions in the reader/viewer/listener. So, the next question is, how do I become a writer? How do I get started?

Start By Looking At The Industry

The next step to figuring out what type of writer you want to be is to look at the industry and what is currently working. As I’ve discussed in previous articles, this is a crucial step because you never know what will excite an agent or manager enough to take a chance on you. For example, in today’s world, you can create pretty much the type of fiction you want to write, whether it’s a romance, thriller, or science fiction book, and there are various platforms you can use to publish it, such as print-on-demand, direct-to-consumer, and even traditional publishing. The choice is entirely up to you. However, if you want to create a romance novel but don’t know where to start, you might want to examine the romance genre and the types of novels and short stories that are popular and what publishers are looking for. This will help you figure out what type of writer you want to be and if writing romance is right for you. Similarly, if you want to be a funny writer, you might want to look at what’s popular right now and see how you can infuse jokes into your work. The point is you never know what will catch the eye of an agent or manager, so it’s essential you take the time to find out what is desired before you start churning out stories.

Get A Demo Tape

Once you’ve figured out what you want, the next step is to get a demo tape. A demo tape is simply an audio or video recording of you pitching your idea or writing sample to an agent, manager, or publisher. This should not be confused with a sample book, which is a collection of your published work. Pitching a novel is a lot different than pitching a short story, so you should develop your own unique pitching strategy for each. Some agents and managers prefer to be pitched via email while others prefer to be invited to hear you play the demo tape. The best thing you can do for yourself is to practice pitching, whether it’s with a friend or family member, or even a professional actor or actress who’s available for hire. If you can find somebody who can act out the part of a potential publisher, that’s even better.

Now that you have a sample tape, it’s time to find the right fit. The most important thing to keep in mind is the fit between you and the publishing house or agent you’re pitching to will be a permanent and a lasting one, not just a temporary agreement to publish your work. You’re looking for a publisher or agent who shares your vision for the book you’re pitching and understands what you’re trying to say. When you find the right match, the creative, literary, and business aspects will all fall into place effortlessly. You’ll be able to focus on developing your writing and being creative, while the business aspects will take care of themselves. This is the best scenario, and the most likely outcome of your efforts. Look for publishing houses or agencies who have a proven record of helping authors find success in the industry. If you find an agent or publisher who shares your vision for the type of work you want to create, the process will be a lot easier and a lot more enjoyable. When you find the right match, it will feel like you’ve been dreaming about this for a long time and the success you’re both sure to achieve together will make it all worthwhile.

Learn More About The Business

Once you’ve found the right match, the next step is to learn as much as you can about the business. What is your contract like? How much does the publisher or agent pay you? Are there any advance payments? How many books do you have to sell in order to earn a decent chunk of change? Are there any rules or regulations the company follows? What is the procedure for getting your work published? Are there any limits to the number of books you can write? What is the best way to market your books? These are just some of the questions you’ll need to ask, but don’t worry, the answers to all of these questions are out there, if you’re really determined to find them. All you have to do is follow the trail and keep your eyes open. Learning as much as you can about the business will make writing much easier and a lot more enjoyable. You’ll know what to expect and the chances of you achieving success will skyrocket. Of course, there are risks involved in publishing, but you must be prepared to face them if you really want to succeed. As I’ve stated before, you can never tell what will catch the eye of an agent or manager, so it’s essential you take the time to figure out what is desired before you start churning out stories.

Figure Out Where To Send The Book

Most agents and managers will tell you it’s best to send your book to publishers that are a perfect fit for your work. This is something to keep in mind, but it’s also important to find a place that feels right to you. You may or may not agree with this advice, but it’s important you understand why these particular publishers were chosen, as this will give you a better idea of whether or not you’ll enjoy working with them. Some agents and managers will refer to this as their “niche” and you should feel free to explore this topic more if you’re curious about what it means. It is also essential you read reviews of the company before submitting your work. Publishing houses and agents are human too and they can make mistakes. It’s important you find out about these mistakes before you make up your mind.

As I’ve discussed in previous articles, this is a crucial step because you never know what will catch the eye of an agent or manager, so it’s essential you take the time to find out what is desired before you start churning out stories.

Submit

Once you’ve figured out where to send your book and have an appointment set up with the editorial team, it’s time to actually submit your work. When you arrive for your appointment, you’ll be provided with an opportunity to edit and polish your work prior to final publication. This is a crucial step, as you can never truly tell how your work will be received until it’s been published. Sometimes the feedback can be very helpful and sometimes it can hurt a little, but you must keep in mind that this is still very early in the process and you should not take what is said to heart. Just try to learn from the negative feedback as much as you can and remember this is all part of the process. Most importantly, have patience and continue to work hard.

Writing is an extremely hard job to do alone, especially with a family to support. It’s a good idea to find a partner who shares your creative vision and is willing to help you spread the word about your work. If you can find somebody who also understands the business side, even better. Working with somebody who is familiar with the industry can help you get your work published even if you don’t have a lot of experience and it can also help you avoid some of the pitfalls that come with inexperience. When you find this perfect match, everything will fall into place and you’ll see why it’s so important to find the right fit.