I’m not sure where you’re at in the writing evolution, but I would recommend Heinlein’s rules (write, write alot, ship what you write and don’t get bogged down in non-editor opinions.) If you’re currently unpublished, you might try submitting short stories to the Writer’s of the Future contest, or any pro magazine (F&SF, Analog, Asimov’s, Clarkesworld, etc.)

I would also recommend Dean Wesley Smith’s and JA Konrath’s blogs. They both give a good overview of the publishing industry as it currently exists (due to change yearly for quite some time.) I’m taking my fourth novel (the first was crap, the second and third are at publishers being considered) to Dean’s workshop in October to polish my submittal proposal.

Like anything in this world, the key is practice, practice, practice.

And I’ll have to try reading Robin Hobb. The name is familiar. So many books, so little time.

Thanks for stopping by!