Have you ever wanted to get your work published?

Getting published can seem impossible when you're just a teenager, but it's not! Whether you just want to share your words with the world or make a career out of writing books, getting published is something you can do if you take the time to become a great writer and learn about the business.

Decide what you want to write. Do you love writing short stories? Creating poems? Researching for how-to articles? One writer can write all of these things, but there are different "markets" (places to get published) and guidelines for each genre. Make a list of the kinds of pieces you like to write, and of great stories/poems/articles you've already written.

Learn more about publishing. Learn more about publishing and the opportunities for young writers. Kathy Henderson's The Young Writer's Guide to Getting Published is a classic that outlines the basics of editing and submitting. Every year, The Writer's Market is published with a section for Young Writers. There's a free e-newsletter for young writers at http://www.fundsforwriters.com/ called "The Writing Kid," that lists new markets and internship opportunities. My own blog/e-zine, Innovative: A Word for the WriTeen, publishes articles on getting published and interviews with YA authors at http://www.innovativeteen.blogspot.com/.

Start writing regularly. Treat your writing time like it's your favorite T.V. show that comes on the same time, five days a week. Don't worry if you don't have any new ideas. Sit down at your computer or with a notebook and write down whatever comes into your head. Writers improve by writing more and more, even if they're not inspired or don't feel like writing.

Send out your stuff! After you've researched good markets and written great pieces, send your work out. Make sure to follow submission guidelines, which tell you whether an editor wants you to submit through email or snail mail and what information they need from you. The submission guidelines are super important, so never overlook them!

Get involved in the writing community. Join the literary magazine or newspaper at school. Look for writers' groups in your area and go to their meetings and conferences. You'll meet other writers (adults and teens) and learn from them. If you're old enough, see if local magazines hire student interns. And if college is coming soon, search for schools with good English and creative writing programs.

It is totally possible to become a published writer when you're still a teenager. I first was published in New Moon when I was thirteen (which was awesome.) Three years later, I've been published more than thirty times in magazines read by people all over the world. If you love writing, go for it! The dream is within your reach.