Wanting to publish a book....how do I make this happen?

Question

I want to write a book about my lifestory which is a soap opera like you would not believe and it's way more dramatic than a lifetime movie. Everyone who knows my situation has suggested that I should pursue writing a book. Any advice would be helpful.

Answer 1

1) Write the book. Get a professional editor to edit it.
2) Find an agent who will take your book and sell it to publishers.
3) If you're on your own, you're going to have to pay out of pocket for each book.
4) Unless you do your own artwork, you'll have to hire someone to do the art on the cover.
5) Ask yourself: why do people want to know my lifestory? What will make this a seller? Find your target market--teens, adults, etc.
6) "More Dramatic than a Lifetime movie" scares me and will scare publishers away. Remember, the more drama you have means the more fake it's going to sound. Do you know why the Lifetime movies are so laughable--they are TOO dramatic. Don't try to get a reaction from your audience--you just should get one. The more desperate you sound for attention, the less people are going to want to read it.
7) Prepare for rejection. It took Frank Capra 4 years to sell a copy of "It's a Wonderful Life."

Answer 2

Writing is a lot easier to talk about than to do-- so as others have said, first write the book, at least start the process--you may find that you don't like writing, and believe me you do HAVE to like it, because there is a lot of Work involved.

Getting the finished product published is even harder (Gone With The Wind was rejected 33 times) This process will take years--not months (though epublishing is faster than print). And remember that after you get someone to publish you book, you will most likely have to promote it yourself.

A writing course won't hurt, but its not enough (there are on-line writing courses that you could pursue). After you've begun your novel, I suggest that you join a writing group and get involved in critique groups, attend workshops and writers conferences. Talk to other writers. Don't take the advice of friends unless they are professional writers, publishers, editors, or agents when it comes to the content of your story and the way its written.

I belong to a group that was first organized in Pennsylvania and the primary membership is still in Pennsylvania, but we have members all over the States, and Canada. I've put this URL in the reference below. We have a lot of offer writers of every level and genre. But this isn't the only one, and there are a lot of other sources for writers. A good place to start is with magazines for writers; Writers Digest, Writer are just two. Look for sources on the Internet too.

If you decide to pursue this project, Take a deep breath, and fire up the computer. One more thing: Make sure that you get a release from anyone who will be mentioned, even if the name is changed, they can sue you.

Answer 3

First, are you a good writer? Even if you are, it wouldn't hurt to take a creative writing course at a local college to brush up on your talent. Next decide if you want to go with a recognized publisher - in which case you will need an agent since this is a hard market to break into as an unknown. If you don't want to risk having your labor of love rejected, there are always self-publishing venues which are easily identified by googling "Self Publishing."

Answer 4

Writing a book is not easy, and getting published is even harder. You'll need three sample chapters and chapter outlines written before you can even contact a publisher. Many publishers don't accept unsolicited manuscripts. You can research publishers that do books similar to your idea and go to their websites for submission guidelines.
Go to a bookstore and find a book on writing book proposals. If you are serious about this, you might need a writing class or other professional guidance.

Answer 5

You have to go through different steps.

1. Get material for the book. Facts, Names and dates if it is not fiction. Make sure that people you mention in the book don't mind it. Also, you have to make sure that this book text is 100% original... If something is copied , you should contact author, etc... Otherwise you may have legal problems. If it is fiction, you shouldn't worry about it.

2. Start witting. For unprofessional writer it may take up to two years to write 150 pages book.

3. After you'll write your book, you'll need to proof read it by someone. Many people whom I know go to Nearest college and ask English professors to review and proof read the book. It can cost some money. Depends on how lucky you are....

4. After proof read and finish touching with your writing you should start looking to publish it.
Here you can find different solutions. You can print it yourself. here is site which can approximately estimate how much it can cost http://www.instantpublisher.com/default.asp

or you can contact publishing companies, if they want sponsor you... One is Barens and Nobles...

5. Start selling it on different websites... or distribute it through different publishing houses...

hope it helps. Also read this article and google for more.


http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/200304/omag_200304_publish.jhtml

Answer 6

All you can do is send query letters to agents and publishers and see what they think of your story and see if they are interested. The best way to go for the moment is to try for e books becuase they are starting to become more popular and they are starting to take over the whole going to a book store and buying.

Answer 7

First write a good story.

Many think that they are writers, but few are.
Let's hope that you are.

Worry about the publishing later.

Your focus should be on the product and not the logistics of it.
Write with all of your focus on the story, and don't even think about anything else, and you wil ahave a publish worthy document.

Ask again when your done.

Answer 8

People who 'talk' about writing a book never do it.
Writing is hard work, both emotionally and psychologically.
If you're serious, then get off this dumb website and knuckle down to some hard work.
Three years from now, you should have something to publish.
Not before.

Answer 9

Publish A Book
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publish a book on 43 Things
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Self Publishing
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Publish A Book
... resources necessary to self-publish their books or to get their book published. ... Did you know that unless you publish your book yourself, the odds are your work ...www.writershelpdesk.com

Answer 10

Huh.
I highly suggest writing it before worrying about publishing it.