So, I've written this book...?

Question

Now that its written, it needs to be illustrated, and then copyrighted and published, or published and copy righted. Anybody got any ideas on how I go about getting these things done? Any chronological order ?

Answer 1

It can be copyrighted either before or after the illustrations, but if you do it after, you are effectively copyrighting the illustrations as well. So be sure to clear that with the artist.

As to publication, it depends on whether you intend to do it yourself or have a professional publishing company do it. You can send the manuscript (with or without illustrations) to publishers and see if they want to buy it from you. Or you can use a "vanity" publisher, where you pay for the costs, and the copyright is yours, as are the boxes of books. Distribution in that case is up to you, and that's normally the hardest part. In either case, the publisher will work out the details of what to do in what order.

If you intend to self-publish, I would recommend going to Kinko's or a printing company and asking a lot of questions. In that case, you get forms for copyright registration by downloading them from the sites for that purpose (probably Nolo Press, but check around), and fill them out. As I recall you send three copies to the Library of Congress, but perhaps that has changed since I published my pitiful little book of poems. (I don't even have a copy of it myself.)

Answer 2

The easiest, cheapest way I know of getting illistrations done is talk to the local high school art teacher. Some of those kids have amazing talents and will be a heck of lot more affordable!

As for publishing it, you have a few options. I wouldn't suggest that you send it anywhere unsolicited. It's relatively expensive to mail manuscripts and 99% of most houses won't open it anyway.

Finding a literary agent would probably be your best bet, but don't overlook options that allow you to publish and copyright it on your own. Cafepress does a great job with books and I'm sure there are many more places out there.

Also, Writing-World is a great source of information.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

I assume it is a children's book, right.

You can either send unsolicited manuscripts to publishers, or get a literary agent to help you on this.

YOu can at least put a poor man's copyright on it, but try to get published first

Answer 4

Getting a book published involves 17 steps:

Check this web site to find out what the steps are.

http://www.publaw.com/book.html