Wanting to write books and get it publish.?

Question

I love to write and I want to write a several books about my life plus 2 others stories I have in mind and children books. I'm just at lost trying to get started and to find where to get it publish. Any ideas or suggestions?

Answer 1

Most publishers want you to be published before they publish you. Yeah, I know. If they won't publish you, where do you go? There are some "vanity" publishers, but that costs a bunch. Try looking at Lulu.com. It's a publish on demand company. Takes only about $30 to get started, and then it all depends on purchases. Worth a shot. I had a novelette that no one wanted to publish. I had it published at Lulu, and so far, it's sold 400 copies. Hardly best seller status, but it actually has made me a few bucks, and I have a published novelette to show when I write again.

Answer 2

Contrary to what some people think, publishers like debut novels, because these authors have no strikes against them in the marketplace and tend to be promotable. It's actually harder to publish a second novel than a first novel, if the first novel didn't do well. (I'm not sure if you are thinking fiction or nonfiction. With debut nonfiction the keys would be the target market and how it can be reached, the originality and promotability of your point of view, and your credibility as an authority.)

The person above who mentioned that you need a combination of marketing and writing skills is correct (you may be able to outsource the marketing to some extent). But it sounds like you have not actually written much yet, so you need to concentrate on the writing phase and not worry too much about specific publishers at this point. You might want to check out similar books in the bookstore, however.

When it comes to the phase of looking for an agent or publisher you will find the LMP, or Literary Marketplace (ask your librarian for it), a more useful tool than Writer's Market, at least as far as book publishing is concerned.

There is more advice at the link below.

Answer 3

Establish guidelines first. Write your book, edit it until it's flawless in spelling and grammar errors. When you're through editing by yourself, find a disinterested person having expertise in the field to edit it for you. Many writing forums are available on-line to do this and it won't cost you, but many of those writers are beginning as you are.

When your book is ready and as perfect as it gets, obtain a Writer's Market book either at your library or book store. Select the best literary agent you can find that has specific needs for the genre and type novel you've written.

Follow all the submission guidelines found in the Writer's Market and check the agent's web page for their specific rules to submit your manuscript. Some agencies only accept manuscripts at certain times of the year; others have closed.

Then write the best query letter you can. It should surpass the opening paragraph of your novel so it will attract and keep the agent's attention to read further. Remember, if your query letter is amateurish and filled with incorrectly spelled words, the agent probably won't get beyond the first sentence.

To help you with query letters and manuscript submissions, consider buying "Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript" by Cynthia Laufenberg. You won't regret such a purchase.

Good luck.

Answer 4

There are some specific books about publishing that you might need to get. The Writer's Market will tell you all the addresses of current publishing companies and what you need to send them. Publishing companies do not want you to send them your complete book at first. You need to do a query letter first and there is a specific way to do it. If you do not follow the directions, they just toss out what you send them.

Answer 5

some people have good product but no marketing skill and some have bad product but good marketing skill, but the one who makes great success is the one who has both.
you need to get all publishers list and send the excerpt of your writing to all and follow up if needed by personal visit, may be if you are lucky one day you would succeed. but you should make products what are needed in the market so first find out that now a days what kind of books get published.

Answer 6

Write about something that inspires you, that's the best advice I can give you. Write about something you're not going to hate half way through (I'm an aspiring writer too, and I often find 20,000 words in, I'll absolutely hate what I'm writing and start fresh). Write for yourself, most importantly. If you really truly love the novel you're writing and really pour your heart into it, people will love it too. If you enjoy fantasy, write about that. If you want something more realistic, choose that as your subject. Often times, I find the best way to find inspiration is to go to sleep. My dreams always serve as beginnings, middles, and ends to my stories. Keep a notebook beside your bed, or under your pillow or somewhere near by so if you wake up after a dream, you can write it down while it's still fresh in your mind.

Answer 7

Write it and then give it to a publisher. If it is good, the publisher will publish it. If it gets publish tell us too!

Answer 8

our batch in college published a book. it was a feeling of accomplishment because we are able to prove that we can be worthy of publishing.

another way to publish is get an award for that book, then publishing agents will approach you and they'll do all the publishing.

Answer 9

Visit this website: http://www.iuniverse.com
They help authors self-publish their books. My aunt published her book through them.