BY KATHI KAMEN GOLDMARK AND SAM BARRY

Kathi Kamen Goldmark is an author, radio producer and former publicist; Sam Barry is a marketing manager at a major publishing company and a freelance editor. Together, they're the Author Enablers, here to answer your questions about writing and publishing.

Taking care of business

Dear Author Enablers,

As an aspiring writer, how can I make a living and pay the bills until I am published? My day job keeps me too busy to write, but if I quit my day job to devote my time to writing then I will end up in line at a soup kitchen. —Ken

This is a common problem for pre-published writers, and our tough-love answer is: "What makes you think you won't need a job after you're published?" The idea that publication will allow you to quit your day job may be one of the greatest fictions in contemporary American literature. So, the issue of making time to write when you have a busy schedule is not likely to evaporate. The trick lies in finding a little time to write every day, if you possibly can.

Are you a "night person" or a "morning person"? Can you get up an hour early and write before going to work, or instead of watching "Law and Order" reruns at night? How about during your commute (if so, we recommend public transportation)? On your lunch break? Can you splurge on an occasional writing retreat weekend, then do your rewrites and fixes while watching "Law and Order" reruns? Our advice is to write whenever you can. If you wait until all circumstances are perfect, your book may never get written.

Most writers have day jobs, even established authors, but who knows? Maybe you will be one of the lucky few to strike it rich on your first book deal. If that happens, we hope you'll remember our good advice and take us out to dinner.

Dear Author Enablers,

I'm 20 years old, and I have written many poems and a couple of short stories. How can I get published somewhere other than my school's literary magazine? —Julio

We asked our friend Calla Devlin about submission opportunities for young writers. Calla is a publicist at Chronicle Books in San Francisco and has worked with many writers who get pieces published in collections and anthologies.

"Julio should look at Poets & Writers magazine (print edition or www.pw.org) and check out both the submissions deadlines and calls for submissions in the classifieds," suggested Calla. "Poets & Writers has the most current details on literary contests. The classifieds detail calls for submissions to anthologies, chapbooks and journals, some of which target emerging writers. They also put out a great book called The Practical Writer. The best thing about the organization is they are nonprofit and a wonderful resource for both emerging and established writers."

Good advice. Also, be sure to keep copies of anything you've had published in your school's literary magazine. No publication is too small to add to your resume.

Dear Author Enablers,

I have several ideas for books, but every time I try to sit down and write, it just doesn't come out right. Do publishers have writers that are willing to partner up with someone who has an idea? I can picture the characters and actions, but just have a hard time writing about it. —Melanie

We've always thought we'd be good brain surgeons, but then there's all that pesky business about blood and medical school. But seriously—if you are a household-name celebrity or have done something nationally newsworthy, then many publishers will be happy to find a co-author to help you tell your story. If, like most of us, you are simply a smart person with a good idea . . . the short answer is "no way." Perhaps you should find a writing partner. Of course you'd have to do more than just have ideas—much of writing is the hard work of rewriting, rewriting and rewriting, followed by more rewriting. You can work on improving your own writing skills at a local community college, or start a writers group or do some daily writing practice on your own. But if you're determined to just be the "idea person," then we know an excellent field for you—become a movie mogul! Unfortunately, there's a good reason why we don't call ourselves the "Movie Mogul Enablers."

Thanks for writing,
THE AUTHOR ENABLERS