i want to get my writing published. How can i???

Question

I'm writing a fantasy novel right now (it's not finished yet) and when it's done i would very much like to publish it. Lot's of people have praised my writing, my friends and family and a lot of teachers. I'm only 13 though, and i live in korea. I'm writing my novel in English, and i don't know how to get it published. to i just send it to a publisher? or do i need to get an agent or something? i also don't have any publishing experience. WHat should i do???

Answer 1

Go to your library and ask for "Writer's Market 2006." They will probably have it in the reference section; ask the reference librarian. This large volume has a section on every genre of writing and the names and addresses of publishers as well as what they are likely to pay.

This book also has tips on how you can best proceed to publish your work.

Just don't fall for self-publishing scams. This is not a way to make money; it is a way to spend money and is only for those who are willing to pay money to see their work in print. Probably the most thrifty way to self-publish is described at http://www.lulu.com/ Don't expect a vanity publisher to do rewrites and edits - you must do that yourself.

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Answer 2

I think we have a lot in common (only I live in Singapore, and my novel is already completed). I've read a lot of books about publishing books. Unless you have contacts in the business who can act as your agent, I suggest that you self-publish. If you check online to all the major publishing houses, they don't accept unsolicited manuscripts that are not backed up by a reliable agent. If Korea has local publishers who are trying to promote local student writers and publish collections of local work, you can try to find out if they require manuscripts.
Good luck!

Answer 3

To begin with, check out specific publishers, some of them still take unsolicited manuscripts, it depends on the genre of the fiction work.
Second, you MAY want to spend the money on literary/book agent, but don't do that until you've been turned down a few times by publishers.
Third, be VERY aware of print on demand scams (also called vanity publishing) and publishers that want YOU to pay up front to get your work published. They are not real publishers. Check out the link below to an author beware site, it lists a lot of current scams going on.
You may also want to join an authors group, they can get you discounts on literary agents and such.

Lastly, be prepare to edit, edit, and then edit some more. There are pay sites that will edit your work, but I'd caution against that initially. Get some friends and family to edit your work, you can also post parts of it onto free website and let other authors edit you as well. There are tons of website available, as well as forums to discuss the publishing process with authors, all for FREE.

It's easy to get taken advantage of when you are first starting out, so be careful and good luck!