When It's Time to Go Live

Maybe you're happy doing whatever you love just for yourself or to share with a few friends. But what if you want to eventually publish, sell or perform in public? What steps should you take first? How will you know when it's time?

I'll use writing as an example since it's the field with which I'm most familiar.

• In an earlier post I mentioned the importance of critique groups for writers who aspire to publish. Ongoing participation in a good critique group with at least a few long-term members who know the writing business can help you grow immeasurably, both as a writer and in business sense. Find or form a group. Willamette Writers has chapters throughout the greater Willamette area, including Clark County. You can also try Craigslist. Even word of mouth works if you know enough people in the area.
• Join the equivalent of a professional association. Membership in local groups such as Willamette Writers carries many benefits, including reduced fees for conferences. If you work in a specific genre, you can join the national organization and see if the national association of writers in this genre (for example, Mystery Writers of America) has a local chapter.
• Make use of the feedback you're given during critiques, especially if its given by someone who's been through the process before - preparing query letters or a synopsis, pitching to an agent or negotiating a contract. While you don't want your work to be revised beyond recognition, experienced critique-ers can help you make acceptable changes.
  
• Make necessary revisions and run them past your group several times. I liken the process to running something through the laundry; when your copy comes back from the group nearly free of editing marks -when it looks clean - it's time to get ready for the next step.
• Consider entering contests (for artists, juried shows; for performers, open mikes) if the entry fee isn't prohibitive. Evaluators and judges are human and each has her own subjective preferences, but even so, any feedback you receive will give you an idea of how your work measures up to professional standards.
  
• Above all, learn the protocol for submitting work in your field. This will help you avoid making the sort of faux pas that let everyone know you're an amateur, such as sending a full unsolicited manuscript to an agent. Even if the fine points of business bore you, you've got to learn the accepted procedures if you want publishers (or gallery owners or talent agents) to take you seriously.

These points are just a start. For more information, look up any of the Writers Market publications or the equivalent resource for your field.