PUBLISHING COMPANIES!!!!!?

I am a young novice when it comes to writing but had a shot to be a published novice. I need as many legitimate contests sites and publisher who can help me reach my goal of having one book published before high school is over for me (i'm a sophomore). Please help!PUBLISHING COMPANIES!!!!!?
Go slow. You are ripe to be scammed. Research first, be suspicious, and never pay for anything.



There are not a lot of legit contests, and few of them will impress an editor on publishers row. You may be better off just finishing a book and start shopping it to commercial publishers.



For many, saying "I won the ___ contest" is the same as saying "My mom really liked this book!"



Obey YOG'S LAW: "Money flows TOWARD the writer."



This means NEVER pay to get published or to enter contests or pay a fee-charging agent. NEVER. Obey Yog's Law and you won't get ripped off.





Go to the 808 section of your library which has all the books on writing. They will help you steer clear of the rips.



Writer's Market 2010 will be in the reference section. It lists all the commercial publishers and what they're looking for.



Here's a list from a watchdog group:



http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/p鈥?/a>



Join this free, pro-run writers board.



http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/



They can help you avoid getting ripped off.



STAY AWAY FROM PUBLISHAMERICA. They are the BIGGEST ripoff site of them all. They say they're free and don't want your money, but that is a LIE. You end up buying overpriced copies of your own book!PUBLISHING COMPANIES!!!!!?
Um...you basically have zero chance. It would probably take you that long to get a book published if it was finished and polished right now!



You wouldn't expect to swim in the Olympics 3 years after starting to swim competitively. You're not going to get published 3 years after starting to write seriously.



Forget contests. Forget publishers. What you need is to practice writing. They say it normally takes a million words before you get to publishable standard.



If that puts you off...you're not cut out to be an author. If it fires you up to prove me wrong, then welcome to the world of writing :)PUBLISHING COMPANIES!!!!!?
I second what Cath said.



I have been writing for 15 years and seven of those professionally. Of my seven professional years, probably only three of those years were truly serious. I know I am in no way ready for big leagues yet with my writing but I work on improving every chance I get.



Spend time focusing on developing and honing your craft. There is no need to rush being published. Learn, enjoy, and take the time to truly develop your style and voice.
I thought I could get published when I was in high school too. I didn't get anything published until I was in my thirties, but I was scammed by a so-called agent one time. You need to take writing classes, read books on writing, and practice. You may think you're the best writer ever right now, but I guarantee when you are older and you look back on what you are writing now, you will not believe how much you had to learn.