I have several manuscripts, and would like to publish them. What is the best way to get them printed?

Answer 1

For the love of god get yourself a literary agent. I don't care how, if you have to beg, stalk, or bribe, you MUST get an agent. I work at a publishing house, and I can tell you that unagented manuscripts are used as scratch paper, packing material, wrapping for chewed gum, and as alternatives to paper towels when there is coffee spillage. Eager editorial assistants sometimes take them home and read them, but they get over that urge very quickly in their first week or so of work.

I have seen some very good book ideas come in and go straight into the recycling bin, and watched as other bits of pure crapola (but AGENTED crapola) climb up the editorial chain. In many cases, manuscripts are so horrifically bad that they don't get published under any circumstances, but if the manuscript is agented, someone WILL look at it. Even if the agent isn't that big of a somebody, it will at least get a glance, which is the most you can hope for.

Unless you want to self-publish, in which case you can do a google search and find a ton of people who are eager to take your money and do this for you. However, be aware there are a lot of scams out there to prey on ambitious authors. In any case, best of luck!

Answer 2

Wonder:
Smurfete:
Browse to New York Literary Agency. There they tell you what to do.
They answer your querry within two days and if interested ask you to email them your manuscript. They get back to you in two weeks. They charge nothing unless they find a publisher for you. Then only 15% on your sales which is very good.
They are the only ones that do this to my knowledge. Others take up to three years to answer you and usually with a no.
Wayne Russell, The Vagabond Writer
Oh! Please let me know how you do. If they do as they say I will pass this on to others. Should you go the self publish route contact me for help.

Answer 3

What is the genre? Have you searched online for publishers, literary agents and such?
First find some publishers in your genre and go to their websites, see if they take unsolicited manuscripts. If they do, send them in.
If you are rejected, carefully consider the reasons listed. You might want to consider a literary agent.
Be very WARY of print-on-demand or "vanity" publishers that want you to pay money up front. Lulu.com is an example, they will publish anything you send them, but getting the word out about your work is entirely up to you.
There is a good website to check out before you shop for publishers, it's called writer beware, link is below.

More and more publishers nowadays are relying on Literary agents to do their pre-screening for them. However, be aware that literary agents will charge you, around 10%, for their services. I'd recommend going to straight to publishers first.

If you keep getting rejected, consider a professional editor or submitting your work to a panel of editors for critic. But don't pay for this service until after you've been rejected.

Critters.org is a good place to sharpen your editing skills and to get feedback on your work.

The world needs more authors in it, don't listen to the competition. Good luck (I'd say Godspeed, but I know you too well for that). :)