READER’S FORUM

January 7, 2026 at 05:43 pm Reply

Annika

Hi, Mr. Korman! Okay, I'm not sure if this was posted the first time. So, you're my favorite author, and I'm interested in becoming an author myself. I was wondering if you have any advice on how to become a published author. If you could get back to me, that would be great!

Thanks, Annika
January 7, 2026 at 07:02 pm Reply

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Hi, Annika,

Thanks for posting and for trusting me to tell you how to become a published author.

The trick is to write. All the time, every day. Letters, stories, poems, grocery lists, a diary -- anything that will keep you writing and give you an appreciation for the written word and the art of self-expression.

Next is the planning of a story. NEVER set down a single word until your story is well-planned and your characters have become people you are familiar with. You can't say anything well unless you know exactly what you want to say -- and you can't know that unless you plan.

When you have written something that you think is good, find someone -- a Mom, an aunt, a special teacher - someone who will read your work and tell you the honest truth about what you've written. From that point on, you might be going back to the drawing board. But you might also be looking for a suitable agent to market your work, or for a publisher to send it to.

Good luck! -----Gordon Korman-----
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Hi, Annika,

Thanks for posting and for trusting me to tell you how to become a published author.

The trick is to write. All the time, every day. Letters, stories, poems, grocery lists, a diary -- anything that will keep you writing and give you an appreciation for the written word and the art of self-expression.

Next is the planning of a story. NEVER set down a single word until your story is well-planned and your characters have become people you are familiar with. You can't say anything well unless you know exactly what you want to say -- and you can't know that unless you plan.

When you have written something that you think is good, find someone -- a Mom, an aunt, a special teacher - someone who will read your work and tell you the honest truth about what you've written. From that point on, you might be going back to the drawing board. But you might also be looking for a suitable agent to market your work, or for a publisher to send it to.

Good luck! -----Gordon Korman-----