About Publish Me!

On this page : What is Publish Me! ? | Why publish? | How do I start? | Questions, comments, complaints? | Acknowledgments

The idea for this photo illustration was borrowed from the Science Leadership Academy, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

What is Publish Me! ?

Publish Me! is dedicated to young writers in East Tennessee (and elsewhere) who want to explore the world of online and print publishing. It is a portal for connecting to reputable publications with real audiences who want to read teen writing.

This site contains resources for preparing and polishing a final draft for publication as well as advice for avoiding common pitfalls in digital publishing.

Parents, teachers, and librarians will also find a section just for them.

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Why publish?

Writing for an audience is a skill. If you are reading this, you probably already have a lot of experience writing for friends, family, and teachers, but have you ever tried communicating with an audience you have never met? Do you have a piece of writing that you would like to share with the world?

Not too long ago, being a published author was an accomplishment enjoyed by an elite few. But today technology has leveled the playing field; it's now possible for anyone with a keyboard, monitor, and Internet connection to communicate with all kinds of audiences both near and faraway.

It's an exciting time, but with opportunity comes responsibility. Publishing helps you develop your own style and voice, and it also helps sensitize you to the needs of your audience.

If none of the above convinced you, then consider this: a published piece of writing looks great in a portfolio or on a resume. It also looks good on college applications.

How do I start?

One way to begin is to decide on your best kind of writing. Do you prefer writing poetry and short stories? Try the creative writing page. Do you like to write persuasively? Try the opinions page. Do you enjoy writing about unique people, places and events? Try the features page.

You might also ask your teacher to suggest a starting point. Or, you can just explore until you find a page that inspires you.

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Questions, comments, complaints?

This site was created by Jennifer Lubke, a secondary language arts teacher in East Tennessee. She welcomes your feedback about this site. Visit Ms. Lubke's homepage to read her profile or send her a message.

Acknowledgments

The following individuals and groups contributed to the making of Publish Me!:

• Ron Lubke
• Ms. Abbott's 3rd block class, Fulton High School, Spring 2007
• Ms. Brinks and Ms. Carden, Fulton High School
• Dr. O'Bannon and the entire IT 578 Web Design class, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Spring 2007
• Susan Alexander, features editor, Knoxville News Sentinel

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