The Prose Professional

The telephone rings. You answer. It's the editor who has been looking at your novel manuscript for the past six months. "I want to publish your novel," she says. You pause. Did you hear her correctly? Or is this only a dream? Unpublished authors fantasize about this thrilling scenario. For some, it becomes an exciting reality. For others, it remains only an elusive dream. Writing for publication is a profession, and should be approached as such. Successful writers have devoted time and effort to learn all aspects of the profession. Writers don't just write. Here's an opportunity to learn the critical functions of a writer other than the writing itself. If you ignore these factors, someone else's phone will ring.