How do I get a book published in the UK?

Question

When I finish my 1st manuscript,how do I actually go about getting it published?

Answer 1

Been there, done that!!
Just type UK publishers into your search engine, wade through that lot , you will eventually find loads of advise and offers, but don't rush into anything. If you need any help or impartial advise feel free to contact me!
Good luck, you will need it!

Answer 2

Hi there!

I'm a published author (30 books), I teach writing courses (including Write & be Published) at our college, and have worked for 2 publishers - and the answer to your question is, with great difficulty! But not impossible (after all, someone writes the books on our shelves!), so read on.

First, finish your book, then check your manuscript for errors - first impressions are very important. Things which might seem unimportant, such as mis-spellings and wrongly-placed apostrophes, will look unprofessional and give an agent or publisher the impression that here's a person who doesn't pay attention to detail. Getting someone else to read it (not a close friend/family, who will be biased) will give you some useful feedback.

Then write a list of publishers who publish similar books - your local bookshop is a good starting point. Then visit your library and ask to see a copy of Writers' and Artists' Yearbook - they list all agents plus UK and overseas publishers. Look up the publishers on your list - their entry will say whether they accept unsolicited manuscripts. List their phone numbers & addresses.

I would strongly advise you NOT to buy reference books such as the Writer's Handbook/Writers' & Artists' Yearbook, as Publishers & agents fold or merge; addresses/phone nos change, things move on all the time; these books are published annually, so the info is quickly out of date. Use the library! It's free!!!

Phone before you send anything off; some publishers want 1 chapter and a synopsis, others 3 chaps. Ask what they want and who to send it to. Make your synopsis concise. You should also send a covering letter, and a stamped, self-addressed return envelope that is large enough to fit the ms in (you'd be surprised at the number of hopeful people who send a tiny envelope!) - and make sure the postage is sufficient.

Send your ms to several publishers at one time. It used not to be the done thing, but it is acceptable now.

Then wait. Waiting is tedious - some publishers keep your stuff for 3 months or more! If they send it back, cross their name off your list and send to the next one/s. If (unlikely perhaps - but possible!) several of them want to publish, sell to the highest bidder!

Above all, keep a positive attitude - and keep on writing. The more you write, the better you will write. Joining a writers' group will give you lots of practice. And - very important, this - read! Read lots of books, observe how published authors construct their books - but develop your own style.

Very good luck in your future writing career!

Peggy

Answer 3

Buy (or consult in your library) "The Writer's Handbook 2006" and look up English Literary Agents. You will need an agent to represent your book. Don't send to publishers direct because they no longer read manuscripts not submitted through agents.
Pick about 20 agents to send the first three chapters and an outline of your book to.
If none of these asks to see the rest of the book, try another fifteen agents. If none of those "bite" it probably means your book is not sellable, so give up that one and write another.
If an agent reads the entire book and decides to represent it for you, he/she will tell you what to do, how to present it, and perhaps edit it down or show the first three chapters.
Good luck,
Simon 2

Answer 4

whatever you do do not do what all ametures do and throw your book straight at a publisher because chances are it will be thrown in an in tray were an intern who is all ready in a bad mood will read it and when they do they will instantly think they can do much better than you can because they have been turned down in their own writing career and they will probibly throw it in the bin. Thats alot of trowing though i am sure your noval is excellent. i myself am writing my newest noval and after it is finnished i plan to publish. What you first need is an agent. then they can help you with everything else, they are very useful, mine is! so agent first, publisher later ok, trust me Celia Brayfield is an expert and this is her advice that i follow.

Answer 5

Find a publisher

Answer 6

Can i just say that i am an unpublished author and this question therefore interested me. Peggy your advice is absolutely brilliant!!

Thank you for taking the time to be so helpful!

Red Zuko

Answer 7

I'm not sure go to a publisher, you can look one up. Sorry I'm not a great help.

Answer 8

Rule number 1 Be entirely unable to write.

Rule number 2. There isn't a real number 2.

Answer 9

I Don't Know But When You Find Out Please Let Me Know Thank You.