Getting Discovered

Hey guys.
For a lot of first time writers the idea of talking to an agent, or a publisher, is pretty daunting. Getting the right one is extremely important. It's like entering an art show: who wins will depend a lot on what the person who's judging it likes. Perhaps they like abstract art done with oil paints. Someone might have drawn an amazing still life with granite, but if it's not what the judge likes, it isn't likely to win unfortunately. The same goes for your writing; if it's not what the publisher likes in terms of genre or audience, it's probably going to get you a rejection letter.
This means a lot of research, query writing, and stress after you've already spent ages writing what could be a bestseller. What choice do we have though? Wouldn't it be easier if the publisher for you found you themselves? The answer: get discovered. Being found or 'discovered' by someone in the literary world who likes your ideas, writing style, and voice isn't certain to land you a publishing deal, but it can certainly give you a big leg up on the way.
But how do we do that? Sure we know our writing can make it. Sure our friends and family know it's great. But how are we meant to show a big time agent, publisher, author, or journalist that our work is worthy of publication, and big sales?
Now this is the easy bit.
Everyone browses online sometimes. They see hundreds upon thousands of different web pages by different people. Some they like, and some they don't. Some of those web pages are stories. I've read lots of fan fics and original works online. Some I liked, and some I didn't. The point is making some of these works yours. Just because the first few people can't get you your huge break and 'discover' you, or some of them don't like it. It doesn't mean that person who loves it, and has the standing to give you that leg up isn't out there.
It's just a matter of what to use and where. Who here is in school or just finished? Are you thinking of throwing out those old books and assignments? No! Don't! Stop! These old books are exactly what you want to keep and show others. I don't just mean you English books either. I mean all of them!
Let's start with the obvious. Throughout the years in English we've probably written plenty of short stories and some first drafts (or half the first draft) of a few novels and novellas too. There are plenty of sites which are fret join on which you can upload your novels. As for your short stories and novels, they might be able to get you a whole range of things more than a view.
There are hundreds of short story contests all over the place. All you have to do is find one you qualify for in terms of age, demographics, etc. and find a story of yours that fits the word limit and any other criteria. The prizes range greatly. Some will offer you money, which you can use to help fund your time spent on your other writing projects. Some will actually get your story published. Often even the runners up will get publishing offers for these, as the judges are part of a publishing house, and when you think of how many entries might go into competitions, there's bound to be more than three great entries. Others might only give you a shirt or something, but if you can say you won such and such short story competition it still shows the worth of your work, and of course, most short story competition entries are seen by, not only the judges, but runners up and winners are often made public for the world to see.
Oh, and if there's a voice telling you you possibly can't afford to enter a writing competition, tell that voice to buzz off because it has no idea what it's talking about. There are plenty of free competitions out there either looking for people who will support a cause through their writing, or will give them something great to publish for sales. Australian Writers Resource gives a large range of competitions for Australian authors, and there are a ton which have an entry price of Nil, so don't try and wriggle out of this saying you can't afford to enter competitions. If you have a story that fits into one, you can't afford not to.
As well as publishing a novel or part of a novel like my sneak peek at Chapter One of Karcess: Wolves in Turmoil, there are plenty of places to put up anything else you've written. And I do mean anything. Reports, letters to book characters, even essays. G.J. Stroud author of Measuring Up herself was discovered with an essay.
So put yourself out there, get noticed, and get 'discovered'!

Keep on Writing,
 
   Teen Fantasy Author