16 and have written a novel; now what?

Question

I started writing a novel when I was almost 15 (inspired by events occuring at the time of people in my life). Two years later, I have finished the novel. Although my main intention was to write it for fun and because I thought it an important story, I am now wondering if it would be possible to try and publish it. I have always wanted to be an author, but 16, will anyone take my work seriously? I have not shown the novel to many - although my creative writing teacher read parts and told me I have the most mature style of writing she has ever come across in any student & my characters are so real & raw.

Answer 1

Did you bother asking your teacher what you should do next?

Answer 2

try researching publishers, and start sending out your manuscript. you can expect a lot of rejections, but if your work is well written and you work at it hard, I'm sure you'll eventually be able to find a publisher interested in your work. also, don't let the age issue bother you. Published authors your age are rare, but not unheard of. actually, i think that the author of Eragon was around 15 or so when he started writing, and now he has a best selling trilogy and a movie based on his books. i hope this helped, and good luck.

Answer 3

You can have it published if you want. People don't always look at the person's age...

in the case of my 16-year-old kid, she entered a printmaker's show and got through. Make sure that you're pretty much satisfied with it before publishing the story. Sometimes, for really young people, they may feel that it is excellent one year, but six months later, and a little more mature, they may feel it needs some kind of change. Then they feel a little embarrassed,
or they may be proud of it, as a great accomplishment in their earlier years. It depends...

good luck.

Answer 4

The author of "Eragon" was 15 when he started writing it. It's a very successful book. People will take you seriously if you present yourself seriously. Judging by your post, you seem very mature and educated, good for you! (I'm 25 and it drives me nuts to see so many high school kids that can barely spell or use punctuation) I would recommend talking to your teacher about it, maybe she can help you find someone that can point you in the right direction. Having a teacher's praise might help an agent decide to take you on.

Best of luck to you, don't let your age stand in your way. If it's something you really want to do, then do it!

Answer 5

I can't say whether your book has commercial potential or not, based on your paragraph, but it is the first thing you will have to ask yourself before considering traditional publication. The publishing industry is guided by sales (whether we like it or not), so ask yourself: who would read this book? What is the audience? What books are similar? How does it fit in, but also stand out?
That is an important step. You have to do your own market research. Agents and publishers expect it, and expect it to appear in your query letters.
If you still think your book has a chance, you should read books about publishing. Learn about agents, what they do and whether you think you need one. Agents are as difficult to get as publishers. You really need to write a polished query letter, and target the right person. Read books like "Formatting and Submitting Your Manuscript," and other books around it on the library shelves.
Get other opinions on your book, from friends and teachers, but don't mention their opinions in your query unless they're professionals.
Before you send anything to an agent or editor, edit it yourself until you think it can't be better. Revision and editing (for me, at least) take longer than writing. Think about your book every hour. Jot notes when you get ideas. Would that character be developed more if you showed her stealing a necklace at a retail store? In scene four, does the dialogue get too chatty? Think and breathe your book.
And then, try to remember that writing is an art and publishing is a business. Be professional whenever you contact agents or editors. Learn to sell your work, without making grandiose statements.
As far as your age, it isn't necessary to mention it. Show the agents and publishers that you believe your book can be published on its own, without the novelty of your age behind it. Don't lie (in fact, in your short biographical paragraph, you might even say, "I currently attend such-and-such high school"), but don't announce it, either. It's all about the book.
The biggest obstacle you'll find, at your age, is writing experience. Nothing gets an agent or editor's attention like publishing credits. Don't mention your lack of published work, though. Just target agents or editors who are open to unpublished writers.
I hope these suggestions help. As someone else said, in a few months or years, you might think your book isn't any good. You might laugh at how you thought it could be published. But whether that is the case or not, right now you believe in it, and you'll feel more satisfied if you give it a chance. There's nothing wrong with querying agents at 16, as long as you've done your market research and written a careful letter. Then, if it doesn't work out and you find yourself thinking back on it later in life, you can always pull out your stack of rejection letters and tell yourself that you tried. ...And there's always the chance that it will work out.

Answer 6

Mels:
Find New York Publishing Agency on the net. They are the only ones I know that will do everything by email. Other publishers are talking years. They promise to get back to you in two days and they do. If they like what you have for them they will ask you to send your manuscript through the email and show you how to do this. They then promise to get back to you in two weeks and again they do.
Beyond this point i have no idea as I had already self published my books before finding them. Hope this helps.
Wayne

Answer 7

I think your best course from here is to try and find an agent. AS I understand things, most publishers don't look at unsolicited manuscripts at all, so you'll need someone with connections to get a foot in the door.

Depending on where you are located, try and get yourself a copy of the writer and artist's yearbook. This contains thousands of contact details for publishers, agents, courses et al. Also useful are the dozens of different articles on everything ranging from how to overcome writer's block, to the best way to approach an agent/publisher.

For reference, I found the Writer and Artist's yearbook on amazon at this link:

http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Artists-Yearbook-2007/dp/0713677120/sr=8-1/qid=1169365454/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-3307224-6202269?ie=UTF8&s=books

Answer 8

I'm halfway through writing my novel...I'm seventeen. Go to
http://peacecorpswriters.org/pages/depts/resources/resour_writers/100daysbook/bk100da.html

and go to the end where it talks about what to do once you've written it...like day 80 or something. It is a good general guide. You could also get How To Get Published for Dummies. Good luck, I am proud of you- I know how HARD it is...so hard...

Answer 9

well you just have to try to find out. it's best to get an agent first to make it a bit easier for you. The best way that i know of is "the writer's and artist year book 2007" as J.K. Rowling also suggests.

Good luck and i hope to be reading your story very soon

Answer 10

the touble with youth is that they are all so smug. The line "writing a novel" isn't something you should be that proud of. Rather you should focus on the message. A one liner will do as long as its something somewhat original. Anyway, from the writing in your paragraph I can see a couple of mistakes. I'm no expert but as the youth say "LOL."

Answer 11

your teacher dont know what to do, get ahold of a few publishers or published writers & see what the next step would be...