How can I publish a book?

Question

I want to publish a book. What is the next step? Who do I contact and how?

Answer 1

If you go to Lulu dot com, you can get a book published. It looks pretty easy, and they say it's free.

Answer 2

While you are doing your revisions, take a look at the book Writer's Market, or their online database available at www.writersmarket.com. They also have a book called the Guide to Literary Agents.

I would highly recommend starting with a literary agent for two reasons. The first is that it will help move you past the slush pile and actually get your book READ by publishing houses. This doesn't guarantee a sale, but it can help tremendously. Also, if an offer is made, an agent will negotiate the contract. It's important to keep as many rights to your book as possible, and an agent has more experience with this. They can then sell those rights (such as overseas printings) for more money than you would have originally made on them.

Check out the website Preditors & Editors to avoid scams:
http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/

You are going to want to write query letters to as many legitimate agents as you can find, who specialize in your genre. There are many great guides to formatting these letters. I personally prefer "Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript" (very direct title, huh?)

Do you write any short stories or poetry? Often, submitting these to magazines can be a helpful step because you start to build up publishing credentials that show you are serious in becoming a published author. Agents like determination, but they love to see proven talent and previous publication!

Always remember that money should flow TO the author. You should not have to pay people to have your book published. They are the business looking to buy your product!

Good luck!

Answer 3

Dear, stay AWAY from on line publishers, POD's, Vanity Presses, and ALL THE REST OF THOSE, because they are NOT legitimate publishers and real publisher laugh at that stuff. You need to write for many years and perfect your craft. You need experience like starting out at the school newspaper (no matter what type of writing you are interested in) . The on line publishers will publish ANY and EVERY THING and like I said, they are considered A JOKE in the real world of publishing. Take some writing classes, join the school newspaper, and get some real experience. Then worry about the next step. You may eventually need an agent (hard to come by) and you need to read, read, read, read, read, in order to make yourself a better writer. A real writer, not just some person who got a little book published by a POD or one of those. Again, they are BOGUS!

Answer 4

1. Write the book. (Write it how you want it, not how the industry wants it. If you're in this for the money, fame, and fortune, you'd better be prepared to ditch that illusion: It's not going to happen!)

2. Edit, revise, edit, revise, edit, revise...you'll be doing lots of this over a span of time before you can finally call it DONE.

3. Search for agents and publishers through various market guides and online sites.

4. Write that query letter the best you can and be prepared to be rejected.

5. And while you're waiting for that one response, begin the process over by writing the next book.

Answer 5

You will NEED an agent.