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harold said:
Yes, it is possible for anyone to get published. Two things to consider: what do you mean by "published", and how do you want to get published?
What 'publishing' means
I'm going to assume that you mean 'publishing to a mass audience', rather than seeing your work in any kind of print. In general terms, mass publishing can mean posting online or getting your writing printed in a non-computer medium like a book, magazine or newspaper.
Online publishing
Posting your writing to Fanpop is online publishing. So is posting to associatedcontent.com. So is getting your material posted on the New Yorker web site. The first will get you readers but no pay, while the second will give you readers and the potential for some pay (depending on how many people view your writing), while the last is hardest to do and will result in money up front.
Three things to consider when publishing online:
1) How easily you can get your writing published. For example, Fanpop is an easy way to publish your work. Publishing on associatedcontent is a bit more difficult, and posting to the New Yorker web site is about as difficult as getting published in the print magazine.
2) What you will get with publication. Do you want cash or feedback? If so, how much do you want?
3) The terms that apply to the publication. Make sure to read at least the submission guidelines and the terms of service of any web site you consider for publishing.
Print publishing
Getting published in a mass-printed medium requires that you submit your material for review to some editorial body to approve your work, or that you choose to self-publish.
Print publishers
In the US, you can find out to whom you should submit your material by reading Writer's Market. This outlines the way that your writing should be formatted and how to send it. Then the editor(s) will contact you with a rejection slip, an offer, or a request for some work (holding out hope that it will get an offer if changes are made).
Self-publishing
There are three models for self-publishing:
1) Vanity publishers: there are many self-publishing services that will give you a package of a certain print run, where all you have to provide is a chunk of cash and your manuscript. They may offer editorial services as well as jacket design in addition to different binding options and the like.
2) Print-by-demand publishing: There are other self-publishing services that will help you design your book and prepare it for online ordering. The book is only printed when a customer orders the book, and that's when the customer is charged. This is a good option if you want to do minimal promotion of your book, or you don't have much cash.
3) Complete self-publishing: this is where you, your family and friends gather money, print it yourself, and promote it at bookstores yourself. Paolini did this with Eragon when he was 15.
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