I have some questions about writing and publishing.?

Question

1. I know that publishers won't touch unknown writers and such, but how do I become known? Guys like Stephen King were unknown writers once. And yes, I know that the odds are against me on this (as far as being a famous writer is concerned).

2. Is it really true I have to go to a literary agent to have someone look at my book first?

3. Is it possible to write in two genres? I really like writing in both contemporary fiction and historical fiction.

4. My first idea for a novel is a book about kids in jr. high that are having a tough time fitting in with the in-crowd. People (non-writers) have suggested I make it into a teeny-bopper novel which is NOT my intent at all. I'd much rather write it for all ages (it's also loosely based on personal experience, too). Should I write for who I want to write for?

5. I have a few other ideas for novels; would it be okay if I sketch them out while I'm starting my first book so I don't forget?

Sorry if this is too long.

Answer 1

1. Start small. Try some online 'zines. Get some short fiction published. Don't publish with someone who will take anything you send them. If it's easy to get into, then what is it worth? Build up.

2. It's best to have an agent. However, it's hard to get an agent without some publishing credits. Climb the ladder as well as you can with shorts, and write a stellar novel.

3. Do what you want. It's not an issue now, but if you become really well known in one genre, you might consider a pen name for the other one.

4. Write for whoever you want, but keep in mind that who you are writing for might not want to read it. There is a fine line between remaining true to yourself and missing out because you have misjudged your audience. IMO (I'm 28) I would not want to read about Jr. High troubles. I went through it and it sucked. You would have to work awfully hard to make it relevant to adults. Perhaps you could start in Jr. High and then have the character grow up?

5. Again, so what you want. There are no "rules" about the process of writing, just find out what works for you. No reason to burn yourself out sticking to one book while you've got these other great ideas bouncing around. Consider starting an "idea journal" where you just write down story ideas, and if you ever find yourself stuck without something to write, just look in there. Stay away from the frilly, pretty journals. They are too intimidating. Just use an unpretentious notebook.

6. (I added this one) Be very careful of Print on Demand, and do-it-yourself publishing. Yes, it is great and easy and economical. I can go to lulu.com right now and have a book in my hands next week with my name on the cover. I can sell it to my mom and all my friends, and if I'm lucky, a couple of gullible strangers. But, like in question 1, what's it worth? The only reason you would want to "get your name out there" would be so that bigger publishing houses and agents will notice you. But you know what? If they see you've self-published, they are likely going to think "Well, that's the best she could do. No one else would take her work and she was too impatient to wait until she'd polished her craft. Why should we gamble on her?" Lulu.com is great if you want to publish a book of recipes, or even to make copies of your stories to give out to your family as gifts, but please PLEASE do not be fooled into thinking that this is legitimate publishing.

Best of luck. Write every day. As good as you think you are, in a year you will look back and be amazed at how much you've progessed. Here's some good info on publishing scams so you don't get taken. http://www.sfwa.org/beware/

Answer 2

1) There are MANY publishing houses that will put out the works of unknown authors! Take a look at the bookshelves in your local bookstore and you will see this is the case. How many names do you not recognize? Every famous writer had a first book, and publishing houses know this. If your work is good enough, they will print it. It can be helpful to earn publishing experience through poetry and short stories, which can be submitted to magazines.

2) It's really helpful to have an agent first, although they can be hard to get. They represent your manuscripts to publishing houses, which gives it a credibility and makes them more willing to look. Also, once you recieve an offer they can negotiate. You want to keep as many of your rights to the book as possible, and an agent can do this far better than most people can for themselves (disregard if you happen to be a lawyer!)

3) Of course it is! Many authors do it, however it can often be helpful to use a pen name in one genre (or two different pen names). This will really be for your reader-- if someone only likes reading historical fiction, they won't order your new contemporary fiction book and be disappointed. Established authors can get away with only using their real or only pen name more often than new writers can.

4) Always write for who you want to write for. Writing is something you should be doing, primarily, to make yourself happy. It is your passion, and your work! I think it would be perfectly fine to make it an all-ages read, if that's how you want to do it.

5) Definitely get those ideas down on paper! If I waited to write things down, they would get lost forever. I have a notebook of ideas, sentences that spring into my head, words I love-- anything that will inspire me once I finish my current project!

My two cents on self-publishing-- just wait for a while and try to publish through traditional avenues first. Submit to as many agents and publishers as you can. Yes, it's hard, but I think that it is well worth it in the end. Very few self-published authors make any money on their time and energy.

Hope these answers helped! Happy writing!

Answer 3

I used to work for RR Bowker, the folks who sell ISBN's - something you'll become very familiar with when you publish. I was in product development and online marketing with a site called BookWire. I dealt primarily with first time authors and this is the advice I gave them:

Everyone is concerned about a literary agent when you should really be concerned with an editor - someone who can read your book and critique its content.

Make sure you have a good cover design - what draws people first is the cover. I read a great book by a first time author last year regarding her daughter's aneroxia. It didn't sell one copy because the cover didn't draw anyone to it.

Consider self publishing through a print on demand company like Lulu.com or booksurge.com. You won't have to deal with a garage full of inventory and both companies offer an online store.

Now here's where you come in: you will need to market your book - you will need to set up booksignings in your local library, bookstores, flea markets - any place where you can meet people and sell your title.

Here's the thing with major publishing companies - they won't touch you unless you've sold titles - they just aren't going to make an investment in you - but, if you can show them that there is a market for your title, they'll listen and that's when your agent comes in. Keep your rights, too. With Print on Demand (POD) no book ever goes out of print so you can earn royalties for years to com.

Definitely write for who you want to write for - that goes without saying.

Yes, outline your ideas, write down dialogue you hear and want to use - everything you see and hear is fodder for your books.

Very best,
Andrea
http://www.YOUniverseMedia.com

Answer 4

1. it's a 50-50% chance, you have to try a lot of publishers and never give up

2. An agent is very helpful because he's doing his job of promoting you while you can concentrate on your writing. Get one from a respectable firm.

4. My sincere advice is to only write for who you want to. Write it as you like it, is the only way you'll have fun and that's the way to achieve great things.

5. YOU MUST! If you don't write down your ideas at the moment when you're inspired, it's possible to never get them back exactly the way you like them

Answer 5

1. Editors at publishing houses have what's called "slush piles"--tons of unsolicited manuscripts that might never get read.
2. Having an agent present your manuscript to a publisher is very helpful.
3. Of course!
4. You probably have a better chance marketing it as a young adult novel, that genre is very hot right now.
5. Of course!

Answer 6

Try sending pieces of your work to your local community colleges or university literature professors with a note asking for evaluations. They might be able to give you a heads up on how to improve your work, and a possible suggestion as to where to send your completed work for possible publications.