how do I get my book published?

Question

I am almost finished with my story. I need to start trying to let other people see it. How,and who do I send it to first?

Answer 1

Check out the books "Writer's Market" and "The Guide to Literary Agents". I would suggest starting with an agent. Not only can they help move your book through the slush pile at publishers so it will actually get read, but if you are ever offered a contract they can negotiate it so you keep as many rights to your book as possible. Unless you are a lawyer, I would not recommend that you try this on your own.

You will need to do your research to find out what each particular agent likes. Some only want a query letter and a summary to begin. Some want a full outline. Almost no agents or publishers will ever want your full manuscript right off the bat-- normally if they like your original query they will request sample chapters and THEN request the entire manuscript.

So, make sure to at least take a look at the books I recommended. They are a good place to begin the research process. Another place to check is Preditors and Editors, as they can help weed out the scams:
http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/

Remember, you should never have to pay these people up front. You are the one selling the commodity.

Also, I cannot emphasize enough-- you will get rejected. A lot. Every author does, but if you want to have your book published then you will have to not get discouraged and keep submitting! If you have written any short stories or poetry, you might want to take another look at "Writer's Market" for magazines and journals to submit them to. Sometimes, having previous publishing credits can make an agent take a slightly longer look at your query. It can show them that you ARE a salable commodity.

In the meantime, edit. Repeatedly.

And then query!

Good luck, and happy writing!

Answer 2

Set up a website for your work so that the rest of us can see it. Add samples, chapters, whatever you think will attract interested parties to your site.

For the publishing aspect...?

I don't think you'll have much luck finding an agent or publisher for your story. The reasons being is that publishing stories in this day and age (single-handedly) is universally *ignored* and widely discouraged by the mainstream industry.

Small press and indies might give you some better luck, but again, it's a roll of the die with that route.

Truthfully, you have to be superbly established as an author in order to get stories published outside of your usual fare of books.

If all else fails, you can self-publish it. But for pete's sake...! Get that thing professionally edited and polished before you do! I've seen a lot of self-published works that are poorly edited and filled with errors.

Answer 3

The first step is to buy a book or get it at the Library called the "Writers Guide." Choose an agent who handles your type of books. The "Writers Guide" will tell you what a fair commission is and what pitfalls to lookout for. After you have found the Agent and signed the contract, call the Agent every couple of weeks and ask who she or he has sent it too. If a Publisher accepts it they will assign an editor. This editor is god. Rewrite whatever he or she tells you and if you refuse, they will drop their option on your book. When the agent asks you to help him or her go over the galley proofs to look for typos, dropped lines or missing pages always say yes you'd love to help with the galley proofs. If you cooperate with your editor you will learn a lot from them and become a much better writer. After the book is sold to the publisher, printed and distributed, volunteer to the publisher through your agent to send letters to book stores and\or visit bookstores and to tell them about your book (this is essential). Lastly if the publisher organizes a tour to sign autographs it means the book is beginning to sell but they need to sell more to make a profit. Make sure you say yes to their kind offer of a tour and pack a suitcase. Lastly they will give you a list of reviewers who they will want you to sent to the reviewer and at the same time make yourself available for and interview with the reviewer. This is essential too. Many times the reviewer will have read one or two chapters but is working on a deadline. They need you to tell them about the book and answer any questions they may have to write their review. The fact that they interviewed you to find out the rest and answer their questions will not appear in the review so don't be offended, when the review is published, good, bad or indifferent, the sales for your book will go up. ALWAYS write a thank you note to the reviewer even if they say they thought your book wasn't that good. They picked it for a review for a reason and that reason is they can connect your book to some of their advertisers. Good luck and be sure to post when your book appears on the booksellers list.

Answer 4

As mentioned in answers above "The Writer's Market 2006" (it comes out yearly) is a good resource for finding publishers for submission.

Also you can self publish. There are many companies and online site that will help, with a FEE, you publish your book. Here is a popular and well supported online publishing site:

http://www.iuniverse.com/index.htm

What is basically come down to is perseverance. Keep writing, keep polishing your skills, and keep submitting!!

Answer 5

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