I've written a book and need suggestions/ guidance on how to make it a success. Where do I begin?

Question

This book and other information can be found at www.jockobook.com.....thanks for all your response, it's been helpful, keep it coming

Answer 1

Get a copyright before you submit it anywhere. If you don't want to wait for the copyright office to register your copyright. You can do what they call a "Poor Man's copyright" Where you mail the work to yourself but do not open the package when you receive it. It's then dated and sealed and you can prove in court that it was written before the date on the postage mark.

Generally, the next step is submitting it to publishers or find an agent to that for you. There are books published every year listing publishers and agents. It's easier to find an agent then it is to find a publisher. Agents take a percentage, but if they do their job right, they will have a better chance of getting the book in print and they will also do marketing for their fee.

You are suppose to write a letter asking them to read your book before you actually send the manuscript. Research the places you are sending it to and make sure the subject matte is appropriate to what they publish.

You sometimes have to be very persistent to get things published. Good Luck

Answer 2

We need more info, like what type of book it is, is it your first, ect.
A good thing to do is have family and friends read it and tell you what they think. Make sure they give you an honest opinion. If they all truly enjoy your book then you can try and get it published. The best thing to do is send it to as many different publishers as you can. Be prepared to get many negative reviews or no response at all. They are not being rude, it is just that they get so much material from so many people that they are strait and to the point if they think a book has no chance. Don't be offended, just keep trying. Always revise your story! Is it too long, to short, slow to get into the action or drama of the story? No matter how wonderful you think your story is there is always room for improvement! Make sure your story is well written, with proper grammar, punctuation and typed neatly and double spaced. The last thing you want to do is send in something that looks unprofessional. Have you ever been published before? That helps! Try local papers, magazines or poetry books. Make sure they are legit companies. Remember you shouldn't have to pay them to have your work published if they want your story or poem. They should pay you. There are some places that will publish for free. You won't have to pay, but you won't receive any money for your work either. It's a great way to establish you’re self, and fun to see your name in print! Have fun and keep trying! You are never too young or too old to start writing!

Answer 3

What kind of book?

If it's a technical book (how to use something) or an advice book, there's usually a different approach than if it was a novel.

On the former, you can find some publishers that publish similar (but not exact) books, call or email and ask for the name of an acquisitions editor, and then you describe your book and why you're qualified to write it and that you'd be interested in submitting some sample chapters.

If it's a novel, you can either work with a literary agent (almost all publishing houses require a literary agent to bring them the book) or you can self publish. Self-publishing or subsidy publishing used to be looked down upon, but with places like iUniverse.com you can get it done for a couple of hundred dollars and they print on demand (when someone orders it), and you can get it listed into Barnes & Noble and Amazon, and then it's up to you to promote it.

Good luck!

Answer 4

You have to look for some publishing companies and write to them telling them that you have written a book and would like to get it published. That's the first step. What kind of book is it anyway?

Good luck with it!

Answer 5

Find a good critique group, preferably with people who have published. Learn as much as you can from them.

Go to writer's conferences. Network.

Join a writer's organization. For example, I'm a member of the Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators. Their online community is a GREAT resource. (www.scbwi.org)

Answer 6

Without knowing anything about your book, the best I can do is point you in the direction of the Writer's Market. It's an extremely helpful resource, and should be useful in putting you in touch with publishers that look for authors in your market/genre.

Good luck!

http://www.writersmarket.com/

Answer 7

Have a publisher read it over. You can also find a college near you that offers a book publishing program and have one of the senior students take a look at it.

Answer 8

You could publish yourself maybe 100 copies, put it on ebay with a small description(like the back cover of most novels) and a $9.99 pricetag. If people are interested they will buy it,if not they wont,dont attack big fish until you get feedback. P.s for simple copywrite protection,put a copy in an envelope,bring to post office and register the post, post it to YOURSELF, it will be timed/dated when registered, once received, Do not open it,never until you are asked to prove it, remember, once you have the earliest time and date on the registered postal receipt, no-one else can prove they wrote it before you. p.s can I have a copy :o)