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Building a Portfolio: Breaking into Print and Staying There

© Jonathan Ball

The importance of a good portfolio, to either the professional writer or the part-time amateur writer, cannot be underestimated. It's a bit of a Catch-22; you can't land any good assignments without a good portfolio, but you can't develop a good portfolio until you've landed a few good assignments. Breaking into print is an intimidating thing for most beginning writers, who often regard the publishing world as a secret organization to which they do not belong and do not seem able to obtain membership.

The reality is that while a number of opportunities to see your work in print exist, editors prefer to work with writers who have proven their worth through previous publishing. Before you approach the big presses, you should first approach the smaller ones-the underground zines, student presses, and community newspapers. The advantages of writing for a small publication are many, but there are three main ones. First, small publications are not bound by as many restrictions as larger ones. As a consequence, you are freer to experiment and get a feel for your strengths and weaknesses as a writer even as you build a portfolio.

Second, small publications are often run by volunteers. Though there is a down side to this (you will probably not get paid for your writing, or will get paid in copies or single bills), the up side is that these publications will almost never turn away writers and often have their offices open for writers to get more involved in the actual business of publishing. In addition to getting your work published, you can put any other involvement in a small publication on your resume, and may even discover a hidden talent or gain an interest in some other aspect of writing and publishing. Third, small publications are a great place to meet other people who share your interests and who may be aware of things that you are not. In addition to making new friends, you can make valuable contacts, and learn of other magazines, newspapers, and organizations which may be of interest to you.

In addition, you will benefit from editorial feedback and changes. An editor at a small publication is much more accessible than an editor at a large one, and more willing to help out an emerging writer. Anytime you see your work in print, compare it to the original copy you submitted and make note of the changes that were made. Think about why each change was made; if you are unsure, ask your editor. Let your style evolve by anticipating your editor's decisions and making them before submitting your article. Make it your goal to submit "clean copy" which goes to print without editorial changes.

The copyright of the article Building a Portfolio: Breaking into Print and Staying There in Writing Professionally is owned by Jonathan Ball. Permission to republish Building a Portfolio: Breaking into Print and Staying There in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.