how to publish a book in the uk?

Question

im 16 and want to write a novel in my spare time any advice?
any sites etc?

Answer 1

I'd say you need to read a lot of other novels, and write every day. If you want to just begin a novel right away, go ahead, but you'll probably end up wanting to start over once you get better at writing. If you'd rather get good at writing by doing short stories, that's good too.

There are really no "right" places to start a novel. You could begin with a character, or location, or theme, or plot idea, or all of those things.

I wouldn't recommend self-publishing personally (though I have had single copies of my books printed at Lulu, just for myself). The thing is, if your book isn't good enough to be published at a traditional publisher, you should probably work to make it better. If it IS good enough, well, traditional publishers will pay you for your work, and promote it in a way that you really couldn't on your own.

Answer 2

Self-publishing? Be careful. If fellow Answerers recommend, that's good. Self-publishing is also called Vanity Publishing - they just take your money and the rest is up to you to market. If you are typing it up yourself, then you MUST input onto a professional desktop publishing package. Then when you find a Printer to print your work, the package will be compatible with their commercial printer. Microsoft Word, example, is no good, as the Printer's machine would destroy all your layout. Quark is good so is Adhobe Indesign (I think the name is). Serif desktop publishing packages are only compatible with a comparative commercial printer. If you are illustrating at all - this needs to be taken into account. If you are self-publishing, you will need to self-market. Take a short 10-12 week creative writing course - these classes give out constructive, informative, strategies.

Once you have completed your novel - you can always put the question up again and get feedback. Example, if you then decide to submit to a publisher, there is a format you follow to ensure the publisher at least reads it and returns your copy - of which you do not submit in total.

Am going off memory at the moment, but this should give you an idea of what you need to research.

Best of luck..... Remember - Always aim for the top & if you fall, it will only be halfway - & you can scramble back to the top again!

Answer 3

Firstly I would get the "Artists and writers year book", if you don't feel like paying for it, it's quite expensive, your local library will have a copy. You may find it helpful to join a creative writing course ( your local college probably has one), or you could join a site on your computer of the kind where the members review each others work. Whatever you do, don't forget to copyright your work; the simplest way to do this and the cheapest, is to send it recorded delivery to yourself, put on the wrapping what the contents are, but when you receive it and sign for it DON'T open it, put it somewhere safe; it is your proof that you wrote it (keep your receipt of postage with it). Good luck.

Answer 4

Self-publishing is the route to take. Creative control is kept by you, and the Production Design Team does nothing on the book without your approval. With my self-publisher AuthorHouse, I've had an excellent relationship for my past two books, "Progeny" and "Legacy". Costs of production vary on how much you want to do -- each of mine ended up costing $800. Since AuthorHouse is print on demand, only copies of your book actually ordered and produced, so there's no large overhead.

AuthorHouse operates in the United Kingdom out of Milton Keynes, and it would be worth your time to check it out! Have a great day!

Answer 5

Stay away from self publishing, it costs more than it's worth. Write and edit your work, send it to interested publishers, and read all the books you can on the subject from your local library and bookstores.

Answer 6

This web site will help. I gave it to my soon i am encouraging him to write a book. I saw some of his writings in high school. He has a very creative mind. http://www.lulu.com/

Answer 7

find a literary agent