How can I get a book published? I'm ready!?

Question

I have a children's book ready but have lots of ideas and hope for adult fiction... no self publishing please

Answer 1

One of the first things for you to look into is finding an agent who beleives in your work .. submitting your works to a publisher ...is a long process... one tip I will pass on to you is not to just submit your manuscript first thing but to send a "request to submit " along with the scoop of your tale ..

Here you will find a listing of childrens publishers .. who may or may not be open to receiving your request to submit
http://www.firstwriter.com/publishers/search.cgi?requireemail=Yes&newmaterial=No&fees=No&content=Children's&startitem=10

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How to Get a Children's Book Published
by Wendy J. Woudstra
Do you have a childrens book inside you waiting to get out? Have you written one and need to find a publisher? Here's what you need to know!

I receive questions about children's book publishing on a daily basis. While I can't cover every aspect of children's book publishing in one email, or one Web page, I'll do my best to cover the basics here, and point you towards the best sources of additional information.

This page is a work in progress. If you have information that you think I should add, please feel free to email me.

Finding a Publisher

The best place to start when looking for publishers who might be interested in your manuscript is the current edition of the Children's Writers and Illustrator's Market, published by Writers Digest, which lists many available markets for children's writers - from magazines and contests to book publishers. It also contains invaluable information on how to write a query letter, manuscript formatting, agents, and other tools to help you get your 'foot in the door.'

You can also use the Web to find and research suitable book publishers. Searching through publisher's Web sites will help you research the current market, and many book publishers also have guidelines for writers and illustrators on their sites.

When you're making your list of possible publishers, be picky. Don't assume every publisher will be interested in your title. Don't send a pre-school manuscript to a publisher that deals mainly with young adult titles. Do some research and narrow down the list to those that make the best match with your book.

What to Send

Each publisher will likely want a slightly different package. Some might want the entire manuscript, others prefer to receive only a query letter. Send each publisher only what their guidelines specify. Mailing a huge package to publishing houses that don't accept unsolicited manuscripts is a great way to waste money, and a lousy way to find a publisher.

Whatever you send, be sure it is neat and easy to read. Stay far, far away from fancy script fonts and unusual formatting. Manuscripts should be typed in a plain font, double-spaced, on standard letter size white paper, and sent to a specific editor or the Editorial Department of the publishing company you're submitting to.

Research

Time spent learning about the children's publishing industry will pay off tenfold when pitching your manuscript to publishers.

A good place to start is to join the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Even if you don't join, find out if any SCBWI conferences or seminars are being held in your area. By attending those events, you will learn about the issues facing children's book publishers, and make contacts that may lead to a contract.

You should also pay attention to hot topics and trends in the industry. Pay attention to the Children's Book Bestsellers, and talk to booksellers and children's librarians about which books are popular. Knowing what's hot will help you present your own manuscript in an appealing light (if you can tie it in with a trend).

Rejection

If you've never been published before, you should be prepared for rejection. The vast majority of children's books published each year are written by previously published authors. That doesn't mean that there's no chance for new voices to be heard, but it does mean that you'll have to try a little harder, and be a little more persistent to get your first book published.

Don't take rejection letters personally. Try to learn from them. If you get a lot of form letters, perhaps you weren't targeted enough in your choice of publishers. If you receive a more personalized rejection letter, take the comments to heart. Don't hesitate to take another look at your manuscript to see if it can be improved in light of the comments you receive.

If you possess both talent and perseverance, you'll find a way to succeed.

Children's Book Illustration

If you're not a professional artist, don't try to illustrate your book yourself. If you don't have a particular illustrator in mind for your book, you don't need to find one before submitting your manuscript. Publishers often have illustrators they like to work with, and a filing cabinet full of the portfolios of many more that they can contact to illustrate your book if it's accepted.

If you're an illustrator without a story to tell, you can submit a color photocopies of two or three of your best works to the art directors of houses that might use artwork in your style. Don't give up after one mailing. If you haven't heard anything in six months, send out another package.

If you've never illustrated a book before, it might help to compare your work with some professional book illustrators to see if your work measures up. Again, with the right mix of talent and determination, you will be able to find a market for your work.

If you are both the author and the illustrator of your work, you might want to add a note to your package letting the publisher know that the story and artwork can be considered separately. That way you won't lose out if they love your story but not your illustrations, or vice versa.

Related Books

Writing for Young Adults
Discover the secrets of writing for the YA market -- from how to conduct research, to how to use plot, dialogue and characterization effectively.

You Can Write Children's Books
A good primer for beginners by Tracey E. Dils, faculty member of the Institute of Children's Literature.

How to Write and Sell Children's Picture Books
Expert advice from the past president of Children's Book Council.

Related Links

Children's Book Council Members
Large list of children's book publishers with contact information, addresses, and links where applicable.

Children's Book Publishing Net Links
A large collection of links related to children's book publishing.

Links for Illustrators
Everything from magazines and associations to tips on getting started in the book industry.

Write 4 Kids.com
Lots of great information on writing and publishing books for children.

The above information should give you a bit of a start ..
good luck with your book

Answer 2

For a children's book, you want the Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market. The market out there is very tough, particularly for children's fiction. It's actually easier for adult fiction since there are more publishers.

After you have submitted your children's book, start up on your adult fiction. You'll want WRITER'S MARKET for that. You can check the guidelines for specific publishers. Keep in mind that NYC wants formula books. Their marketing departments have final say on what gets accepted.

The small publishers (still royalty paying) just want really good books. A few of them have settled into formulas, but not many.

If you are writing romance, I've heard (Publisher's Weekly) that the cowboy romance is now dead and romantic suspense is now the thing. The small publishers will also look at well written science fiction romance and paranormal romance. If your book is cross genre (mystery and science fiction, for instance), you are better off looking at the small publishers. The big boys wouldn't know how to market it.

Answer 3

There is a method to getting released that as a rule involves filing question letters and components of manuscripts. The subject additionally comes with plenty of rejection. Some publishers won't receive unsolicited manuscripts, so it first-rate to discover a literary agent first. You use your truly identify for this method, and whilst you get an agent or writer, you allow them to understand you wish to make use of a pen identify. Go to the myth writer's web pages and spot what their submission instructions are. TOR has an open submission coverage, which means you'll be able to post a manuscript with out an agent. However, they "bear in mind tens of hundreds of tasks a yr," so the most likely hood of your publication being selected isn't top. There Writer's Market is a well supply, however it's continuously a well suggestion to double assess who you will have to deal with your letters of question to, the know-how within the publication can difference after its e-newsletter for the yr. This is a protracted method, mostly it takes years for a brand new creator to wreck into the enterprise. Good success and hold writing.

Answer 4

If I were you, I would not try to find a publisher/agent directly. I'd pay a GOOD editor (see Predators and Editors website for names, or Writer's Digest) to do a full assessment of the ms. Then, rewrite if necessary, return to the editor for another quick look, obtain a written assessment of the first and second drafts, THEN look for a publisher/agent (again see Predators and Editors website for names, or Writer's Digest) who publishes in your genre, and submit exactly according to their submission guidelines, including a copy of your editor's letter. You could also try emailing authors in your genre and asking who they use - word of mouth from a respected author is by far the best way to contact an editor.

The reason I'd do this is because if this is your first book, it is not the best it can be (sorry, I've been in the business a while and it is always true). Without exception, all ms by amateur writers will be hugely improved with some professional input. It will cost you hundreds of dollars for an excellent editor, and even then there is no guarantee of success, but it will improve your chances.

Publishers receive huge piles of submissions, 99% of it badly written (for an example see the literary level of most messages on Yahoo answers). Yours must stand out from the mountain of trash. The way I outline above is the best way to do it. The first step is to find a good, reasonably priced editor.

Good luck

Answer 5

Send it to several publishers, if it's good enough they will offer you a contract, usually for the book offered and at least 2 follow ups, and publish it, if not they will probably send it back with suggestions for improvement

Answer 6

Find the book "Writer's Handbook" as they have lots of publishers and requirements for sending your submission

Here'a a website for teh children's book.

www.tenspeed.com

Answer 7

Contact publishers...duh. If they want your book they will publish it for you.

Answer 8

I plan to do this in the future(sorry don't know).