How do I know if a publisher is good or not?

Question

I have written a book and I'm currently in the process of re-editing it. My dream is for my book to become a bestseller. I also want to be known as the youngest author ever. Who is the youngest anyway? I'm only 14. I know it will happen! What do I do know? What's the whole, entire process? I want to be published by a trustworthy and well-known publisher. Please give me a good answer! Thanks!

Answer 1

Poeticjustice and poohba really hit the nail on the head with their answers, so I won't repeat everything. I just wanted to add one thing-- a URL. Check out the website Preditors & Editors to help stay away from scams as a writer. They have sections on agents and book publishers (I definitely recommend starting by looking for an agent-- they are really key in negotiating contracts).

http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/

Good luck!

Answer 2

The publishing world is VERY DIFFICULT to get into. First, avoid all the vanity presses, on line publishers (including POD's), etc. Secondly, the facts are that most publishers DO NOT accept unsolicited manuscripts and most that do, the manuscript NEVER get read. They just come back to you with a form rejection letter (unread). Publishing houses get literally thousands and thousand of manuscripts every year and very few ever see print. At 14, you really don't have the writing expertise to warrant becoming a best selling author or even having your book published. Also, you had better have a letter perfect manuscript done in proper style with proper margins, on proper weight paper, etc. Your book has to be about something that is currently hot, or no publisher will touch it. And again, most things sent in over the transom (unsolicited) NEVER GET READ. Before you write a book, the proper way to do things is contact various publishers by query letter and see if they might be interested. Most if not all, won't. You can try for an agent but I will tell you that unless you have some previous writing credits to your name, they won't speak with you either. Publishers and agents are VERY CHOOSY about whom they take as a client. And even if your book becomes published, the chances of it becoming a best seller are so infinitesimal that I would not start practicing your autograph just yet. Better to start on your school newspaper and locally, because i am here to tell you, your chances are VERY slim of ever seeing publication, especially at the age of, what did you say, 14.

Answer 3

The first thing to do of course is to write the book-you have done that. The second thing to do is to edit it as much as you can, and get a few people to read it for you. Then you can start looking for publishers.

There are a lot of scams out there. I would avoid any publisher that makes you pay money up front, I would avoid literary agents that do the same thing too. It is very hard to find a literary agent, but not all publishers require you to have one. RandomHouse, for example, requires you to have a literary agent; but TOR does not. If you want to learn more about the submission process,I would buy a book called "Writer's Market," it has a listing of all the good, reputable publishers and it tells you how to write query letters and cover letters.

There are some young adult authors out now-Amelia Atwater Rhodes, for example, published her first book with RandomHouse at age 15; Mattie Stepanek published his first book of poems at age 11; Christopher Paolini's book, "Eragon," was published at age 19 and it is a best-seller now. So it can happen!!!! :)

By the way, I wanted to get published when I was twelve, and it took me 11 years to get a chapbook published. Now I'm 24 and I'm waiting to hear back from two publishers. It can take awhile, but it can happen if you keep at it and don't give up.

Good luck!!

Answer 4

Believe me heiress, you're not the only one who wants to do this. Unfortunately, that's not how it works anymore.

Anyone can become a writer, but to become a GOOD author, you have to know everything inside and out about the process of getting there and becoming successful.

It's no longer the aim for wanting to beccome a best-selling author anymore. The drive for the most part is to sell money (traditional publishers) these days.

The art of writing is inherently dead, but not completely. There are some writers (like myself) who write to entertain and tell a story. Writing best-sellers isn't what people like me do.

But if you want to do this, then write your heart out and write for yourself and no one else.

If you want to follow the pack, then emulate your favorite author and good luck. Because most of those who emulate their idol don't make it past their first year as a published author.

Most best-sellers these days are a dime a dozen--and very few are remembered with fondess, because they rarely stick in the minds of the readers. (Add to the fact that there are fewer people reading than ever before--mostly due to the internet age--and this new generation isn't reading as much as the last one did.)

But 20 years ago, people could easily point out which ones were their favorites.

But seeing that you're young, that will work against you. You're not going to be able to get published as a teenager. (It's a nice dream, but it won't happen.)

Publishers won't take you. Random House took Paolini in at a young age, but he wasn't published till he was 21. The publisher said that his skills as a writer needed a lot of work and they needed to help him improve before they could publish his first book.

As for a trustworthy publisher, you need to know the market well and stay away from vanity press publishers. You need to do a ton of research and continue reading books and continue to improve and hone your skills as a writer.

It's the only way you'll make it.

But don't be in a rush to publish early, ok?

Answer 5

I think someone may have beat you to the youngest author. I think there are already young children that have published. My mother is a librarian and I seem to recall this. I think it is good that your try and write anyway. I would start talking to your school teachers and school librarians. If you are a home schooler I would ask your mom if you can talk to the libraian at the childrens room and also to people at your religious organization. Sometimes authors come to towns. Try to go talk to one of them. I got to talk to one of my favorite authors as a child. If it is a small group you might be able to ask for a bit of advice. Write your own book anyway. My mother always said writing takes practice. Write books for younger siblings. Have someone help edit you. This will help you learn. Practice makes you better. They always say write what you know. We all have a story. Write about where you live and about what you know about. People in NY tend to write about it. How about writing about where you live or something you know about. Make your story have detals you know about if it is a story. I hope that helps.

wrote this for your relgious freedom question that you deleted

One example of religious freedom is the establishment of the United States. People wanted to be able to practice their religions as they saw fit. They came to the new land to have that chance and to avoid persecution for this. Then they wrote documents to protect this right for future peoples. Others came from distant lands of all religions because of this. This country decided to protect even the unpopular and ugly ones if they were not hurting others because protecting those meant that all religious freedom was protected. The moment we start banning one religion then we start taking away freedoms. It has been a delicate balance over the years to balance hate and freedom. We must be careful however how much power we give our government to regulate ourselves. Our founding fathers made a very special place for us here and for other immigrants. We are a nation of immigrants by nature. We must remember our history and be very careful to keep the integrity of this country and the rights that make us so unique.

Religious Freedom literally means that a person has a right to worship whoever or what ever they want or nothing at all.

Answer 6

My son is 11 yrs old and he has recently published his third picture book, with an on line publishing company. His book is selling very well and is working on his fourth book. Please email me and I'll send you the publishing company he's under contract with contact info.
Good Luck
PS: You can become a bestseller with luck and determination! Alot of hardwork on your part, and a good marketing plan.

Answer 7

First rule of publishing: They pay you. Warning bells go off if a publisher or agent ever suggests authors should pay them a "fee" for this or that upfront.

Other signs of publishers who aren't so legit:
1) You can't find their books stocked at your local bookstore
2) Their webpage seems to be devoted to attracting would-be authors instead of promoting their latest offerings. A company's website can be a giveaway for where they make their money. (And, to review Rule #1: Publishers are supposed to pay authors from the money they make selling authors' books. They are not supposed to make the majority of their money selling copies only to writers and their friends and family.)

For more information about the publishing industry, I refer you to Miss Snark's blog about literary agents and the annual Writer's Digest writer's guide (Your local library should have a copy so you don't have to shell out $33 for a copy of your own.)

Answer 8

If he gets you a good publishing deal, he is obviously good. You are a minor, you cannot sign a contract to get published, your parents have to sign contracts for you, or, wait, until you are of legal age.

Everyone dreams of their book becoming a best seller, most, unfortunately, do not.

Chances of getting a well-known publisher are very slim.

Answer 9

Their catalogue of authors and publications over the past five years. Also since you are so young, you need to put together enough money to hire a professional editor to work with you. If that is impossible talk to a respected teacher and/or a local writing group (check with your librarian) or take an evening class or a writing workshop. It is important to get lots of input on your writing, keep an open mind, and don't give up, before you start to try and publish.

Answer 10

This is a good "overview" site on that:
http://www.jkelman.com/publish/

And this is more in-depth:
http://www.stc.org/confproceed/1995/PDFs/PG404407.PDF#search='getting%20your%20book%20published'

Hope these help...and good luck to you!!