i have an idea for a book. how do I proceed?

Question

Its actually not a novel so I don't have anything to write.More of a concept. Should I get a literary agent or something?

Answer 1

You can't sell a concept to an agent. You cant really sell a concept to an editor either... book packagers regularly come up wtih concepts (Like Sisterhood of the Traveling pants, or Gossip Girl) and then they find the writers. They dont sell the concept until they have a writer.

If you have a "concept' for a fiction book, YOU HAVE TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE BOOK BEFORE GETTTING AN AGENT OR BOOK DEAL. End of story. They dont buy books from unpublished authors without it being done. Rare exceptions, but you need to finish it.

If it is non-fiction, you can sell it on proposal, which would typically include a sample chapter, outline, table of contents, etc.

Answer 2

All books start as an idea.

First I would outline the plot. What exactly do you want to see happen in the book? What is the conflict? What is the resolution? How is the book going to end?

Second, I would do a profile on all my major characters. How do they look? What are their likes, dislikes, quirks...

Third, choose and write down the first line of the first chapter. This is your hook line. This line should have impact and make the reader want to read more.... and make you want to write more.

Now, write. Do not edit. Do not backspace. Just write. Use your outline and character profiles as a reference. Start small and write a paragraph a day, then try to work up to about three Microsoft Word word pages a day. Note: It is best to set up MS Word (paragraph tab) on exactly 25 lines per page, at a 12 font courier new or courier bold. I believe this is the usual format wanted by editors and agents when reviewing a manuscript.

When you have completed the manuscript. Review, edit, correct and re-write if needed. Check for grammar, punctuation, flow, consitancy, ect.

Then find someone to read your manuscript and critique it (like an online writing group). Do not use a family members or friends. They love you and will always tell you your work is great. You need an honest opinion. Listen to the opinions and suggestions for improvement, if any. If the suggestions make sense, make the changes in your manuscript.

Write a synopsis of your book.

Research editors, agents, publishing houses, e-publishers, self publishers (sometimes called vanity publishers), and so on. Learn what you can about the book industry. What genre is selling. What are publishers looking for? Then decide which route you want to take for your book. For example, some publishing houses will not take manuscript submissions unless it is submitted by an agent. Some publishing houses have open submissions, which means you do not need an agent to submit to them. Go to writing/book conventions and meet authors. Ask questions. Research, Research, Research.

Other things to do to help you along: Join a writing group. Take a creative writing class. Submit some of your work into writing competitions (short story or first chapter competitions are popular now).

Hope this helps... Best wishes in writing... T.

Answer 3

First place seat of pants upon chair, then pull chair up to desk. Place fingers on keyboard and begin to write.
You say what you have is more of a concept than a novel? Hmmm. There aren't many places to market concepts, and most agents prefer to have a manuscript in their hands, unless you happen to be a best selling author, in which case just a paragraph is sufficient, because they know you can produce.
If you haven't written or published anything before, you'll need to do something more about that book -- and that means writing at least an outline, so you know where the story is going, delineating and fleshing out the characters, so you know who the players are, and then beginning to write at least three chapters. Agents will (at times) go with an outline and three chapters, but that's pretty well the minimum, and some still prefer to have a full manuscript in hand.
So -- turn off Yahoo, and get busy on that outline!

Answer 4

i want to know that what idea u have?whether it is an idea about any subject or just write.well
we imagine u have an idea about a subject.then no problem,take a paper write your subject then elaborate it.
start with any city or village,make some charecters start a story and incorporate your subject and find finally your book will published one day.


Or u have a idea to write a book,but no subject is with you.
ok no worry read the magazines watch tv read more books travel end to end,from all of this you got one subject then you follow the abovesaid method.

please remember send a copy to my email id i will give correction to you and give some suggestion about the book.finally don't think about me as a writer,i am a critic.

Answer 5

start writing, then once you are done draw or sketch a picture of the characters that you have in mind, and if u cant draw, its not a big deal, just a rough draft. then go on the internet and find a few good publishers, and submit you're ideas to the first one, then if they reject it make some changes and submit it again, or just submit it to the second one. just go with that process, and don't give up. some famous writers had to go through hundreds of publishers. Hope this helps, and good luck!!

Answer 6

I'm having the same problem but a friend told me good tips I hope you can learn from. Use index cards for: character and do a mini-biodata on that character/ the twist and turns of the story/ places. If you prefer, I use small post it notes and post these things beside the monitor so if I need to remind myself who is what and where - I just look at the post it notes. Good luck.

Answer 7

Very cafefully. Get an agent, a good agent, and after you write a good manuscript, sent it to several/many editors, and wait for the Letter.

Answer 8

start writing it first. A publisher is going to want to see some material to decide if its a publishable item.

Answer 9

It will help if you first start writing an outline of what you want to write. It helps you keep your story organized.

Answer 10

Find a good creative writing course to take. http://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-courses/writing-courses.htm
Are just two good sites. Google "online writing courses" or some such thing. Good luck.