June | 2024 | J. Paul Cooper, Writer

A few months ago I learned about Short Story Dispensers, a literary program designed to encourage reading, by offering stories to the public that can be read in five minutes or less. One of my short stories, “I Have a Problem” is now available through the Short Story Dispenser at the Edmonton International Airport. If you’re curious, visit http://www.short-editions.com to find out if there are any Short Story Dispensers in your area and how to submit stories for consideration.

One of the challenges facing writers, is finding new venues where you can showcase your writing. If you’re considering joining a writing organization, ask whether they provide listings for writing opportunities, that’s where I learned about the Short Story Dispensers. Although they didn’t choose my submissions, two other unique opportunities I discovered were short stories for cardboard coffee cup sleeves and beer cans.

I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, that it’s a good idea to contact the alumni associations of schools/colleges you’ve attended to promote your books/eBooks. If they publish newsletters, magazines, or blogs that might also be a good place to get your writing published. You could offer to write profiles of former students. I offered to write a profile of a former student for my university alumni association’s magazine, but they weren’t interested. That won’t stop me from trying again in the future.

Although most of the listings in the “Opportunities” section of the BBC Writersroom website are for United Kingdom residents, there are occasionally listings open to international writers. If you’re not sure if submissions from outside the UK are accepted, send them an email and find out before investing your time and effort. If you’re curious, their website is http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom. Another online resource is the Facebook Group, Writing Competitions: Opportunities For Experienced and Aspiring Writers to Get Published.

Before you submit any writing, make sure you understand whether you’re going to be paid. There are many markets that cannot afford to pay writers, but might still be excellent venues to showcase your writing. Literary magazines are good examples, many are published by student volunteers at universities and have very limited budgets, but they are legitimate writing credits.

I just finished watching the documentary, Dreams on Spec (2007.) Several years ago I donated my DVD to a local library, but it never appeared in their catalogue. Fortunately, I recently found it listed on the video streaming service Tubi. Dreams on Spec follows the lives of three aspiring screenwriters as they attempt to get their scripts produced, interspersed with commentary on the profession by screenwriters working in Hollywood.

You don’t have to write screenplays to relate to the experiences of the three screenwriters profiled in Dreams on Spec. All writers have been on the same emotional rollercoaster, from dreaming of success, to the reality of rejection.

Throughout the documentary two questions dominate: How far are you willing to go to succeed as a writer? and Is it worth it? Two writers put everything on the line, risking their family relationships and financial stability, but their scripts aren’t produced. The third writer keeps his day job, but his screenplay is produced.

As Dreams on Spec demonstrates, devoting your life to writing full-time doesn’t guarantee success as a writer, but writing part-time doesn’t necessarily prevent you from enjoying success as a writer either.

Considering how much time and effort these three writers invested in trying to find success in Hollywood, was it worth the sacrifices they made? I think the best answer is: If you love writing, keep at it, because you never know where it might lead, and regardless of the ultimate destination, you’ll appreciate what you learn on the journey.

J. Paul Cooper, Writer

Month: June 2024

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Dreams on Spec (2007)