Can I write a book?

Answer 1

I teach writing courses, one of which is 'Write & be Published'. Sadly, around 98% of my students stand no realistic chance of success. So the law of averages says that no, you can't.

But hang on - someone writes all those books on Waterstone's shelves! Has my original comment discouraged you? If not, then you've passed the first hurdle - and good for you!

So write the book and see where it takes you. The writing world is a minefield of discouragement, so grow a thick skin, apply your bum to the seat of the chair, and keep your nose to the grindstone. There's a great set of mixed metaphors for you!

All the luck in the world!
Peggy

Answer 2

Anyone can self-publish a book these days for 500-600 dollars.
You need to learn what makes a good book and a bad book. Learn to write. Most people write very poorly. Be sure you have something to say. If you hope to sell it to a publisher and make money you will have to start with a literary agent, in US anyway. They will want to know who is the target audience. They will not invest time and money to publish without promise of profit. The world is awash in worthless manuscripts. The publishers still look for the ones that will succeed. There are books you can buy to learn more about this. Good luck!

Answer 3

Of course...write what you know about or what interests you. If you read a lot, what genre of writing do you prefer ...si-fi, non fiction, murder-mystery, legal etc

Just sit, open Word or other writing processor (if you don't have one d/l Open Office 2.0 -- free and very much like MS Word)

Don't bother with spelling or accuracy of flow in the initial draft...just write. Read then re-write, read, re-write...edit, refine...

Once polished, grab a current Writers Market book (available at libraries), you'll get pointers on creating professional Query and cover letters, scads of publisher names, addresses and submission information including what types of writing styles/genres they accept.

You can do all this in the early stages of the book writing as well...if you wish.

Once the manuscript is ready (only first 3 chapters normally are sent to a publisher and only to those that accept unagented work). Most houses accept only "On query" work...sending a letter of Query which introduces your work in short, brief outline along with a Synopsis, allowing the House to determine if your particular book has a place in their lineup. This saves you postage and frustration as well as copy/print costs...no need to send a dozen pages or more of chapters if the house isn't going to be interested. You can send the entire manuscript but most publishing houses don't acknowledge unagented works and you'd be wasting time and money by forwarding the book in its entirety.

Try the smaller publishing houses first, they are most often more flexible and eager to get new writers out there. Never send the original of the manuscript...always have the manuscript set up correctly 1" margins, double spaced etc is usually standard.

Try publishing via ebooks, or self-publishing as well as these avenues are increasing in popularity for writers wanting their work out there fast. More and more ebook publishers are springing up on the net...a search will uncover a good variety but check each out ... you want the exposure they can offer and some don't offer much. Educate yourself and you'll do fine.

Grab a few great books on writing, becoming an author etc...again library is a great, free resource.

Good luck

Answer 4

Writing a book involves the ability to create grammatically incising sentences. But your question seems simple like a child is asking. So, no I don't think you could write a book.

Unless you are very tired and just decided to post a moronic question to provoke reaction?

Answer 5

I believe that everyone has the ability to write a book, but many potential authors don't start because they can decide what to write about, and worse yet can't see how they will be published.

I always recommend starting to write a book by writing down odd thoughts or observations that pass through your mind.

Tolkien started "The Lord of The Rings" while he was in trench in WWI, when the phrase ''Somewhere a Hobbit lives in a Hobbit hole" passed through his mind, and he decided to look into it further.

In a similar light, I developed an answer to someone who pompously offered to pray for me, "Pray For Me At Your Own Risk", into a published short story. I later developed the short story into a monologue in a stage play which was then produced, and I later adapted the stage play into a screenplay which is scheduled for production by an independent film maker. Eventually, I'll write a novel based on the short story.

With regard to getting published. There is no definite way to have your book accepted by a publisher regardless of how well written it is. However, I do recommend checking out Poets and Writers magazine's classified section at www.pw.org. This section always has publishers looking for new books.

Regardless of how difficult it is to getting a publisher to publish a book you can always resort to self-publication. Many well know authors have resorted to this technique. Further, current technology makes this choice a far less costly and emotionally difficult course to take.

It used to be that if you published your own book, you paid for having 5,000 copies printed and tried to sell them. What usually happened is that you ended up giving them away as Christmas presents, funerals, etc., and having abut 4,900 copies left molding in the basement when you gave up writing.

Now, there is print on demand publishing, and anyone can have their book printed at essentially no financial or emotional cost. In this light, I recommend taking a look at www.cafepress.com.

Cafepress is a print on demand company where you can offer everything from buttons to t-shirts to books that you write.

Each person doing business with cafepress is given a "store". If you offer a single item, such as a book, there is no charge to run your store. If you offer numerous items, it's about $5 per month to maintain your store.

Cafepress creates the button, book, t-shirt, greeting cards, etc. when an order is placed, ships it, bills it, and sends you a check for your sales. They have a set base price for an item, and you
charge above that for whatever profit you want to make. For a book, they have a base price of so many cents per page. Advertising your store is up to you.

My wife and I have a store at cafepress, and you're welcome to check it out at: www.cafepress.com. Our store is called earthmoonmars.

Answer 6

Hi.
Apparently,everyone has a book in them,it has been said.
If you have some ideas, and live in the UK,get hold of the 'Writers and Artists Yearbook 2007'
It is the bible when it comes to getting work published,and will stop you making expensive,time wasting mistakes (such as vanity publishing)
Good luck.
Oh,and Merry Christmas!
Misterviv

Answer 7

I think that anyone can write a book. And therefore so can you However, if you are not a) connected to the publishing industry, b) very rich, c) a celebrity then you face a struggle getting it published.

Answer 8

Unless this is some pathetic joke, of course you can. Just type out your novel or short story (I sugggest typing because a computer can change it neatly whereas writing makes a mess usually) and sumbit it to a publisher, you can find their number on one of their published books or website.

Answer 9

Anybody can write a book. If you're on this site, then you obviously have a computer. Write it on that. Then try to have a publisher publish it.

Answer 10

You can if:
you put your bum on a seat at your desk every day and work, work, work. Only get on the net to do necessary research. When you are feeling down, check out this excellent site of advice and inspiration for aspiring writers:

http://www.starrigger.net/advice.htm

The VERY best of luck!