If I wanted to get a book published????

Question

Does anyone know how you go about getting a book published? I havent a clue where to start or who to contact! And how to make sure its safe its safe and i dont get ripped off or my ideas stolen!!

Answer 1

The two most important (make that essential!) guides for the professional writer are Writers' & Artists' Yearbook (A & C Black) and The Writer's Handbook (Macmillan / PEN). Both are published annually, usually in the early autumn.

More general guides include An Author's Guide to Publishing by Michael Legat (Robert Hale) 1999 and Carole Blake's From Pitch to Publication Macmillan (£14.99). Carole Blake is a well respected literary agent - heed her advice!

The Society of Authors - the writer's trade union - publish a series of leaflets for authors. These include: Publishing Contracts; Ghost Writing / Collaboration Contracts; Authors’ Agents; and Vanity / Subsidy Publishing and Self-publishing. Contact: The Society of Authors, 84 Drayton Gardens, London, SW10 9SB (Tel: [phone]).

For advice on copyright, get hold of a copy of Copyright and Law for Writers: How to Protect Yourself and Your Creative Work by Helen Shay, 1996, How To Books £8.99.

Answer 2

*Sigh* Does nobody EVER use the search function? This question is asked three or four times a day!

First, nobody is going to steal your ideas. Ideas are a dime a dozen. It's been said there are no new ideas under the sun. This is in effect true. All stories boil down to the same common themes: mana against man, man against society, man against nature, man against himself. Tell me your idea, I'll show you five or six links on Amazon to books that share it. Whatever it is, it isn't that original.

Copyright does not protect ideas. It protects the presentation of the idea. You don't copyright an idea. You copyright a manuscript. Your work is protected the moment it is in a defined format. You can register your copyright with the Copyright office for additional protections, but it is not required.

So am I being mean for saying your idea isn't original? Not at all. What IS original is how you present the idea. THAT is what a publisher is interested in. There is nothing original about zombies. It's been done. Yet we published "Dead Men (and Women) Walking" with over two dozen zombie stories in it. Because the presentation within each story was original.

If you want to publish a book, you will most likely need an agent. Major publishing houses will only work with agents (this helps them weed out the crap). An agent is a professional in the industry that can help place your book with a publisher. The International Women's Writing Guild provides members with a list of agents looking to work with new women writers. I've included a link below.

An agent ONLY gets paid if they place your book. An agent that asks for money up from or changes for expensive add-on services is a scam.

Many small press publishers do not require an agent, but they will throw out unsolicited manuscripts. They just don't have time to read every would-be author's masterpiece. Instead, you should send a query letter. Your query letter should briefly explain your idea, who you are, and request their submission guidelines. The publisher will then inform you how to submit the manuscript. FOLLOW THEIR DIRECTIONS! More writers shoot themselves in the foot by trying to be "unique" than any other reason. I once had a writer submit a story on flourescent pink paper in red italic garmond font (14 pt). I asked her why, and she said she wanted to stand out. I told her she stood out like radioactive waste. The document was unreadable and I returned it to her unread.

Writer's Digest, The Writer, Poets & Writers, and other magazines normally have monthly lists of publishers interested in works. Familiarize yourself with these publications. They are highly worthwhile.

Answer 3

People often say "copyright my work" and "protect my work" as if they are the same thing. But they're not.

Copyright is a very simple thing, and it means what it says: it is the "right to copy".

The law in almost all the countries of the world (China being a notable exception) says that you automatically own the copyright for any created work that you create, at the moment of its creation.

In other words: every word you write, every doodle you make, every e-mail, every drawing, every photograph, every sculpture, every tune, every software program written -- if it is an original created work then you have the copyright automatically. You don't have to do anything, it's yours, it is a right that you have.

You can also sell the right to copy with any restrictions you want, for example: "You can use my article in your magazine once, with no extra fee for reprints."

So far so good.

You cannot copyright an idea, as in "I have this great idea for a book". If you're paranoid (see below) don't tell anyone because they can use it with complete impunity. There is no protection for ideas, ever.

Copyright does not apply to inventions or symbols. For that you have patents and trademarks (also service marks in the USA)

In the USA it is possible to officially register your created work. See other answerers for details on this. In the UK there is no "official" way because you don't need it.

Okay, that covers copyright. Now let's look at the real question.

"How do I protect my work from being ripped off?"

Only people new to the business of writing really worry about this sort of thing because no professional is ever going to rip you off.

Why would they? Would any agent or publisher (or film maker if it's a script) take the risk? Why would they go to the trouble at all?

The answer is: They won't. In fact if you present yourself as someone who's so unprofessional as to think that will happen they won't touch you with a barge pole; they'll just think "Oh-oh, this guy is going to be a problem."

However let us suppose for a moment that you believe someone has, in fact, ripped you off and you take them to court. What you have to be able to prove is "development", if you have lots of earlier versions, sketches, notes, research or whatever, that demonstrates that you have developed the work over time then you will win.

Of course, all the other party has to do is demonstrate the same thing. But no one is going to go to the trouble of faking proof of development, they might as well just write their own anyway because of the work involved. In fact, it would be easier just to pay YOU.

Paranoia is common in newbie writers, and it is completely unfounded.

Sending the work to yourself in a sealed envelope is highly unlikely to be accepted in a court of law nowadays. You can register works with the various online companies. This is relatively cheap and here's a few to get you started.

http://www.writerscriptnetwork.com/...
http://www.screenwritersutopia.com/...
http://www.filmtracker.com/

The whole point is that you can show development and so have "protected" your work.

And that's it.

(Except for the fact that you (a) need to have written a book; and (b) you only go to publishers direct if its SF or Fantasy, anything else and you need an agent.)

Answer 4

we are in the same shoes anyway!
first, u need to edit it yourself. next get a trustworthy editor and prevent ur entire ideas from being stolen by not letting people access ur writeup uneccessarilly.
also, be very positive about ur book and go in search of goog publishers. u also need financial backup.

Answer 5

Proof read it , get it edited, find an agent , pick your market, and GO!!
Good Luck

Answer 6

Copyright your book and then send it to me. I'll get it published.

Answer 7

You need to copyright it first to protect your work. Check out this site www.booktrust.org.uk/info/getpublished.php

Answer 8

Try www.excaliburonlinepublishing .com

They look quite good.