Publishing?

Question

How exactly do you start your own book.
I mean its you wrote it already how do you get it to be published and sold

Answer 1

Try to get an idependent person who knows something about writing to give you an assessment. There are some groups on the www who critique stories too, eg critters.org.

Literary agents and publishers (see above advice for finding addresses) get thousands of manuscripts and queries every year. 99% are of poor standard and are returned or shredded. Yours has to be in the 1% so it must NOT be a first draft. Unless you are an experienced author, you need help to polish your work. It may cost you to get that help.

Check out P&E website http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/peala.htm.

If an agent or publisher asks for money, avoid them like the plaque. Good ones take a commission on your sold work.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I'd recommend stopping by your local bookstore or public library and taking a look at the book Writer's Market. It is an extensive listing of publishers that you can submit your book too. They also have a website with a searchable database at www.writersmarket.com. This is really the leading tool for authors looking for market's for their work.

They also publish a book called the Guide to Literary Agents which can be helpful, and my personal favorite: Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.

Every publisher has different rules and requirements for submitting your novel. Almost none want to see the entire thing unsolicited. Do your research and find out how they would prefer contact to be initiated (many simply want a query letter and summary of your story, and then will request sample chapters if they are interested).

In the meantime, edit, edit, edit! Keep working on that book until it is your absolute best work!

Good luck!

Answer 3

BE PROFESSIONAL! How could you have written a book of any merit without having been in bookstores/libraries using books dealing with character, plot, etc.? If you did this, you couldn't have helped but seen all the books about publishing--guides to different markets (just about every genre has one), literary agents, how-to books on writing proposals and query letters. Do you know how to format your manuscript so it's acceptable to a publisher?

Trust me, I'm not trying to be mean or belittle you. I'm giving you advice and warnings about a cut-throat world. I've been there and I'm going through the process again so you do have my sympathy for the anxious moments ahead. After all, it's your "baby"--you created this book and you want it handled well.

Publishing is a business. They won't take you seriously if you seem like a dilettante or someone clueless. They don't have the time to hold your hand through the process.

It's great that you accomplished writing a book--there are so many obstacles to actually completing one that I commend you. But, do yourself a favor and become acquainted with the other end of the writing business. After doing the basic research, you may want to go to writers' conferences or workshops for further advice and to meet agents and other writers who can help you.

Answer 4

One of the best ways to get published is to start small by publishing short stories and essays. Once you make a name for yourself as a writer, it will open a few doors here and there, and help get you in contact with people who want to work with you. Another piece of serious advice I got from a guy who sold his first book before he left graduate school: Learn to edit your own work to perfection. If you are sending work out that editors don't need to toy with, or can't find flaw with, you're more likely to get published.

Answer 5

Rely on a reputable literary agent (the kind who does not charge authors a reading fee).

"The Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book" by Susan Page may be the best resource available. Find a copy at your local library.

Answer 6

I'd suggest you to get an agent first, and let the agents worry about the publishing arrangements.
Here's a site where you can find tons of good agents that specialize in different areas:
http://www.agentquery.com
Pick out one who might be interested in your book and send him/her a query. You might just find the agent that's just right for you.
Good luck!!!

Answer 7

The best resource I've found is Writer's Market.