ok as yall know i have been want to publish a book on poetry. well today i sent in a sample. the scary thing is my parents know nothing about it. i want it to be a surprise if i get a contract. now that i have a chance to pay my parents back i want them to be surprised. the company does it for free also so it is a great opportunity. so what should i do since i am going ot have to confess in 6 to 8 weeks anyway?
2006-09-01 08:20:04 · 9 answers · asked by hatton_chic 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I don't think you need to worry about your book being accepted, as publishers are not looking for that type of material today, and when they are, it's by known authors. The way you write, I would be surprised if you even pass English, but anyway, the publishing world is very difficult and you usually have to know the right people to get your foot in the door. Most publishing houses get hundreds of thousand of manuscripts a year, the majority of which are NEVER even read, just returned with a rejection slip. Again poetry is not something that sells well at all (in fact, event he great poet's books languish on the shelves). Poetry (Good poetry) is very difficult to write and it is all about imagery. You need to know meter and have a real flair for it. I would bet the farm you will see a rejection slip in due course. However, 6-8 weeks would be nothing. If you see one by the end of the year, you will be lucky. You need to learn a lot about this field. Oh yes, and DON'T become involved with a VANITY PUBLISHER, as you will be SORRY in more ways than you know. Also, stay away from POD's. And read Naive Skeptic below for more along this same line. We know what we are talking about! As far as Gavin M's comments go, some people DO NOT WANT TO HEAR the truth about anything. I told Gavin M that the publishiing world was difficult and can be very disappointing. Apparentlly, he wants to believe the fantasy.. Dear, I have years of experience in journalism in both newspaper and magazines, have written scads of poetry, stories, etc., and have a portfolio a MILE long at least. Do you want the truth, or like Gavin M, for people to lie to you and tell you you are about to be famous? Your choice, dear.
2006-09-01 08:29:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Sorry to burst your balloon, sweetie. I agree with Kitty, you have to have juice to get published these days. Most publishers will only accept submissions from authors' agents, and most agents won't take on unpublished writers, so you're in a bind right from the start.
Even publishers who will accept manuscripts from unagented and first-time writers have very strict guidelines for submissions, which you had better learn and stick to if you want to have any chance at all. Editors have to wade through stacks of stuff and they are looking for any excuse to disqualify a manuscript and dump it in the recycling, even a misplaced comma can do it!
There is a company through which you can publish your own work at no cost, but you have to make it press-ready, i.e., page lay-out and cover design. It's called Lulu (www.lulu.com). They're very helpful and friendly, but you are responsible for your own marketing.
Good luck!
Experienced Grandma.
2006-09-01 08:45:05 · answer #2 · answered by The Gadfly 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Make sure these guys aren't a vanity press. A Vanity press will print your manuscript but will charge you for it.
Read the contract carefully.
2006-09-01 08:23:30 · answer #3 · answered by John K 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I would try to let them down easy by saying "Mom and dad, I'm sorry I have to break this to you, but I think I might be a poet."
2006-09-01 08:25:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
just have a nice sit-down dinner w/ the family and tell them the great news....congrats and good luck
2006-09-01 08:24:00 · answer #5 · answered by sweetiepi 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Explain how happy you are and ask them to be happy for you. It's good news so you should share it.
2006-09-01 08:43:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
don't count your eggs until they've hatched. lol! I meant chickens, sorry!
2006-09-01 08:25:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
DO NOT LISTEN TO KITTYROGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She will try to put you down. She told me something very similar to that. Do what you can and work harder.
I'll buy your book if it is accepted.(I'm sure it will) ;)
2006-09-01 09:00:41 · answer #8 · answered by Gavin M 1 · 0⤊ 5⤋
TT'S DON'T COUNT YOUR CHICKEN BEFORE THEY HATCH YOU DUH!!! BUT ANY WAY JUST LET THEM KNOW I'M PRETTY SURE THEY'LL BE VERY HAPPY ABOUT IT AND THEY'LL BE PROUD OF IT.
2006-09-01 08:28:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋