How would I get a novel published?

Question

I plan on writing a Young Adult Fiction novel and I already have written down ideas, etc. But I didn't want to actually get writing until I found out a few things.

How do I go about getting my novel published? How do I find a good agent? Also, I plan on using a pen name since my own name is quite long and hard to pronounce for some people (it's French) so do I write a rough draft using a pen name then tell prospective agents that it is a pen name? Or write it an get an agent using my real name and then publish it under a pen name? Please explain with details.

Thanks!
- Raegan Dauterive

Answer 1

A must have for beginning writers is "Writer's Market" which is a list of publishers and their requirements. The 2007 edition is out now. If you don't want to buy it, you can find it at your local library. You'll want to choose publishers that fit your genre and query them with a cover letter, synopsis, and possibly your first 3 chapters.

A helpful site for beginners is
http://www.writing-world.com

Here's something I found about pen names that is short and to the point from an editor of Writer's Digest:
http://www.writersdigest.com/qadisplay.asp?id=1171&secondarycategory=

Answer 2

First of all, RESEARCH! This is such a difficult field and so many publishers, agents, etc will not even look at you if you don't know the basics. Grab a copy of the magazine "Writer's Digest" or another writing publication. Second of all, get a copy of "Writer's Market". It lists publishers, agents and gives great advice.
Write your novel in your name-this is SO important for copyright protection. When you publish it, then worry about your pen name.
There are also a ton of websites with info on them that will help you out. Spend some time doing searches-I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for.
Good luck!

Answer 3

A good way to get your novel published, is to search on the internet for publishers. Send out a copy of your novel and a letter to the publisher. They may answer, and they may not. Just keep trying to get it published though. People never got anywhere by giving up.

Answer 4

I would recommend self-publishing. I self-published a book of poetry through http://www.lulu.com/ (you don’t need an agent for self-publishing)
Lulu is completely free and very easy to use. You can then buy a global distribution, or ISBN, which will put your book on Barnes and noble, borders, Amazon.... I really like lulu, I think they are great. They also offer a great customer service if you get stuck. Once published with them, you automatically get the copyright, and you keep all rights to it. You can have books printed in b/w or colour, hardback or soft back, and in a variety of sizes.
If you think they are too good to be true (which was my original opinion) you can view my book at http://www.lulu.com/dchooper
Hope this helps. Good luck with your writing.
You can put whatever author name you want.
For any more information about Lulu you can contact me at [e-mail] (if you do contact me, put Lulu in the subject line, or I might report as Spam)
Cheers, Deanna.

Answer 5

that is totally puzzling. you do not deliver your total manuscript out to publishers. there's a e book referred to as Literary marketplace, accessible at your library. this provides you with addresses of publishing homes, names of editors and policies for submission. generally they want a depiction and a pattern financial ruin. I worked in publishing some years in the past. Manuscripts that are available like that finally end up in what's called the "slush pile." that is achieveable an overworked editorial assistant will deliver you a style rejection letter. there is tremendously much no possibility you would be printed this style. you have not any thought what proportion human beings think of they might write and deliver stuff to publishers. you're able to desire to get a literary agent (additionally listed interior the LMP), and that they don't take merely absolutely everyone. I desire you good fortune, yet at the instant maximum publishers can not discover the money for to take a super gamble on an unknown author. That sucks, yet that is how that is.

Answer 6

go talk to a local publishing house and ask them the 411 of how to publish your novel.. good luck

Answer 7

Go to:

lulu.com

publish it there, it's free.