I am trying to find a publisher(not vanity ) for the fantasy book I have written for children, anyone help me?

Question

The book has 13,900 words over twenty chapters so far, with a further 2 - 3 chapters to write. Synopsis as follows: Binky, a bear with Earth mother and Alien father has many adventures in his search for help for his father's planet to avoid it being taken over by creatures from a neighbouring planet and to keep the young bears of the planet safe, this involves Earth children and some of their scientist adult relatives. further stories are possible of more adventures for Binky and his friends both from Earth and from his father's planet Gentian: there is also the chance of spin offs if the interest of a manufacturer of soft toys could be roused. The story is exciting, but not of a frightening nature: there are instances throughout the story which unobtrusively make it clear that pleasant characters profit in various ways, whereas the unpleasant ones do not; though the pleasant ones are at the same time more interesting, being able to do more things because of listening and learning.

Answer 1

Okay, first things first--you're not likely to find ANY publisher who will be interested in a novel that is shorter than 40-50 thousand words. These days, especially for fantasy books, you should be looking at 80,000 words minimum.

Next, it seems you need qualified editing help. You can find lots of that online at places like EditInk and other sites.

Then the biggest hurdle of all is finding a reputable agent. Most agencies have thousands of manuscripts sent to them every year and typically, they only select a few that are worthy to represent. DO NOT submit to anyone that requires up front money or "reading" fees. Most agencies will read your book for nothing if it's well presented and if they think it has merit. Reading fees are a rip off.

You can check on legitimate agencies at the Preditors & Editors website. They keep an up to date list of current agents and any problems writers have had with them.

Once you find an agency, you need an excellent query letter to get their attention. Search the web for examples. If your query letter is sloppy or has misspelled words, you're TOAST. Get a qualified copy editor to help you, if you can afford one. Then, once the agency reads your query and agrees to look at your manuscript, MAKE SURE IT IS PERFECT before you send it off. Again, bad formatting, grammar problems or poor spelling will doom you from the start. Pay an editor to proof your work--it's worth a few hundred bucks to get your foot in the door with an agent.

After that, be prepared to wait up to 3 months for an answer from the agency. DO NOT submit to more than one agency at a time. That's the kiss of death. If your work is good, an agency will then offer you a contract. From there, it's another 3 month wait (often) for them to find you a publisher. Once you get a publisher, it takes about a year to actually see your book in print.

I hope this helps. If you're serious about getting published, you can make it happen. It takes time, patience and a lot of luck. And as a note of reality, of all the fiction books published in a given year, only about 13% ever sell more than 1,000 copies. Most (75%) sell fewer than 500. Contrary to popular belief, most authors don't get rich.

How do I know all of this? I'm a published fantasy author...

Jon Baxley, author, editor, proofreader and ghostwriter

THE SCYTHIAN STONE (a medieval fantasy eBook)
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (a medieval fantasy epic in hard cover from Thomson Gale)
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming, fall '07)

Answer 2

Actually, i don't suppose you're being overcritical in any respect. It is understandable that you don't want your story to be attacked considering the fact that of similarities in both experiences. And, just on account that the kid has magical capabilities, it doesn't mean he will instantly be compared to Harry Potter. (unless he goes to a school on a teach and there are four houses and he survived from the assault of an evil, evil man, and so on.) it's wholly okay to commit the ebook to James. Why shouldn't you? He's you nephew, and it can be no longer like that you would be able to support that his title is James. As a reader, honestly, the identify similarities ordinarily would not click on except AFTER i might learn the ebook. (i'm a little bit sluggish with stuff like that, so possibly i am not the nice one to be answering. XD) however, ultimately, it's your e-book. And also you should write it however YOU believe is proper. I wish you excellent luck to your story and blissful writing! =D

Answer 3

First of all, good luck.
First, invest in a thick skin. Buy the very best thick skin you can afford. Then, (assuming you're UK), journey to a half decent book shop and purchase 'The Writer's and Artists' Yearbook'.
Next stop the post office. Buy the best. And stamps by the gross. And a sponge to save your tongue.
Look at yourself in the mirror and say 'I am a writer' every morning.
Write and write and write. Get better. Go to workshops. Do an MA. Mix with the in crowd. Get to the readings. Spend money on books and seek out authors.
Live breathe eat drink writing.
Dead easy, huh?

x

Answer 4

I hope you have sent work to yourself by registered mail (or to your solicitor!). If you have not, I suggest you do so AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! However, do not open the envelope unless you have a problem - and then only open it in the presence of your solicitor. The date the parcel/letter was received is the latest you could have written the draft; it could not have been written after that date. I hope that makes sense to you! I am only trying to protect your intellectual property.

It sounds awful but you may need proof that the book was your idea. I was told to do this by a friend who had an idea stolen and published first. He had no proof that the ideas were his in the first place!

Then start sending synopses to publishers of similar sorts of books.

Unfortunately, I know nothing of publishing (except what I said in my first paragraph!) but I wish you all the best with it!

Answer 5

I suggest you get hold of a copy of "The Writer's and Artisit's Yearbook", which lists all publishers, agents, etc, and look for one which publishes books such as yours.

Write a snappier synopsis - just three paras with one or two short sentences in each.

Get someone to review your work - there are companies that will do it for a fee, and will give you an honest opinion about it.

Link to book below.

Answer 6

If your writing style is like the above, you might need an editor first. Check with some children, for example. I can barely make it through some of the sentences in your question, and your use of punctuation and capitalization has room for improvement.

I can edit it for you for a competitive fee, but of course I can't guarantee any given publisher will respond :)

Answer 7

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