Blogs have opened the gates to the once-guarded world of publishing, offering free advice on everything from writing a query letter to finding the right literary magazine. But can you really learn how to get published just from blogs?
The short answer: yes—but with a few caveats.
Blogs Can Teach You the Basics (and Then Some)
Many established authors, literary agents, editors, and publishing professionals now run blogs that break down the publishing process into manageable steps. You can learn how to:
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Write and format a query letter
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Find agents and publishers open to submissions
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Understand traditional vs. self-publishing
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Market your work and build an author platform
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Avoid common submission mistakes
For example, Jane Friedman’s blog explains the business of publishing in clear, no-nonsense language. Nathan Bransford demystifies the query process. And sites like The Write Life and Authors Publish offer concrete lists of where to submit your work.
What Blogs Can’t Do
Despite all their value, blogs aren’t magic wands. They can’t:
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Give you personalized feedback on your manuscript
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Guarantee your work is ready for submission
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Make you sit down and write every day
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Build confidence overnight
Blogs can show you the door—but you still have to walk through it. And the path involves rejection, revision, and persistence. It helps to combine what you learn from blogs with writing groups, workshops, or even professional editing when possible.
Use Blogs Wisely: A Strategy for Learning
If you’re serious about getting published, don’t just read blogs passively. Use them as part of an active learning routine:
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Follow a Few High-Quality Blogs
Pick 2–3 that align with your goals. For example, if you’re submitting short fiction, follow blogs that list open calls for lit mags. -
Take Notes and Bookmark Key Posts
Create a publishing folder in your bookmarks or note-taking app. When it’s time to write a query or find markets, you’ll have resources ready. -
Apply What You Learn Immediately
Read a post about writing a synopsis? Try it that day. Learning sticks when it’s practiced, not just read. -
Stay Updated
The publishing world changes quickly. Submissions open and close. Agents move. Blogs often update this info faster than books do.
