4. What are your suggestions for new writers?

1.   Write every day
2.   Read every day
3.   Invest in two or three books about writing
4.   Attend a writers' conference
5.   Join a writers' group
6.   Learn to edit
7.   Learn more about editing
8.   Look online for places to publish your work
9.   Edit, Edit, Edit
10.  Have fun - writing is the best job in the world!

5. Can you help me get published?
Probably not. I can, however, direct you to an excellent site called The Word Studio. Rachelle Gardner, my former editor at NavPress, recently started her own professional book and manuscript editing business. Rachelle is smart, saavy, and knows what the heck she's talking about. Here's an excerpt from her bio off her website:

I've been in the book business since 1994. My most recent in-house position was as Senior Developmental and Acquisitions Editor with NavPress, a Christian publishing company in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 2005 I originated, developed and launched the NavPress Fiction line, which included a Christy Award finalist and an ECPA Award finalist on its very first list. I've edited high-profile Christian authors such as Michael Card ('06 ECPA Award finalist), Stuart Briscoe and Hugh Ross. I developmentally edited approximately 18 books per year, acquired 20-25 books per year, and reviewed hundreds of book proposals. I negotiated advances and contract points with agents and authors, was on the faculty of numerous writers' conferences where I taught writers' workshops, and wrote marketing copy, cover copy, and sales-department tip sheets.

For those of you who are seriously considering getting published,  The Word Studio is an excellent resource to look into. If you contact Rachelle, tell her Jenn sent ya!

Good luck!

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