2007-03-20 07:43:08 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
You do................don't believe everything that other people or critics tell you.
Literature, as an art, is subjective and will be different for different people. You need to experience it yourself.
2007-03-20 07:47:44 · answer #1 · answered by the_lipsiot 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You have two sources that are going to define this: publishers and agents. Both use much of the same criteria.
An agent is going to read it and ask themselves "is there a market for this book in the X genre"? If the answer is yes, they'll then ask themselves if the book has what it takes to succeed. If the answer is no, not all of them will immediately chuck it out. The next question they should ask is "can it be salvaged?"
Not every new writer is born a J.K.Rowling. It takes work to master the craft of creating believable characters, organized plots, and presenting it all in a way that engages the reader's interest from the start.
How do we learn all this? By being avid readers, educated in the literary fields and publishing requirements and editorial usage.
The most difficult way to sell a book is direct submission to a publisher. Most of the time your manuscript ends up on the slush pile, which is the massive amount that are received by any publisher willing to offer open sumbissions. The large house will only accept manuscripts through agents.
If a new writer has the chance to take classes on their craft, that will go a long way to helping you craft great submissions, such as your synopsis, cover letter and the first chapters that can get your foot in the door.
2007-03-20 08:25:42 · answer #2 · answered by carraigcreative 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Who cares ?
The main question is why would you want to write a book?
If its to make money, forget it, you've probably more chance of winning lotto!
If its because you have a story to tell then tell it, get it published and don't worry if its 'good' or not, just get it off your chest, give it away if you want, just get it down on paper and publish it, job done, it needn't cost you a penny!
A 'publisher' sounds good doesn't it ? He (or they) are only looking to make money, (just like the rest of us)!
You yourself will judge if your book is 'good' or not, get on with it! do it! I am now into book two, I don't give a sh*t who thinks they are 'good' or not , they kept me occupied and I happen to think that every one has a book in them, no matter what the subject , just do your thing dont worry about what other folk may think!
Feel free to contact me for more info!
No I am not a 'publisher' or an agent , just a non entity that has written and published a book (almost two books) and very pleased with myself!
And to prove that I am not after anything from you, I think you should not bother about 'good' books, if you think you have a book in there, bloody well write it!! Get it published , get it out in the open, if folk dont like it, so what?? Get it done.
I know there are many really 'good' books out there, I have read a lot of them, and I envy the authors. But I dont write to be a 'good' author, I'm not a good author, I write because I enjoy it, and feel I have a tale to tell, if folk dont like it then 'oh dear what a shame' do I care? Not a lot!!
2007-03-20 08:56:30 · answer #3 · answered by budding author 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I assume you mean good enough to be published.
Book publishing is about making money, so the main criteria is "will it be popular and sell". Your agent will give a lot of feedback on what they think the publishers want, and then when it is ready, the publishers will also either accept or reject the book based on how easy it will be to make money with it.
The one exception is that publishers are willing to have some specialty book lines that don't sell in high volume. This helps them retain credibility (not everything can be a sleazy tell-all biography). So for specialty book lines you need to be an expert in the field you are writing about, enough of an expert that other people interested in that specialty will buy the book.
2007-03-20 07:51:48 · answer #4 · answered by Julian A 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I worked for Borders in London for six years and we always had to push any book which had won any prize. Trouble is, take the Booker (for example). Yann Martel won it a few years back but lots of people i know find it unreadable. (I find this to be increasingly the case with the Booker - bring back people like Roddy Doyle - although too good to win the Booker). Rubbish writers are winning prizes (with a very few exceptions) so I DECIDE FOR MYSELF.
2007-03-20 10:27:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
the book gets sent out to a lot of people who then read it and decide whether they like it. the people all come from different backgrounds so that their opinions are varied
2007-03-20 07:51:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
i'm assuming its partly consistent with content textile by utilising language, how image (like bloody words etc) the scenes are, and ability to study. It would not have swears, or very "image" scenes, and could be extremely effortless to study for a youthful audience.
2016-10-02 11:13:15 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The agents that budding authors send their drafts to. If they like it they will sell it on your behalf to the publishers
2007-03-20 07:47:07 · answer #8 · answered by thumberlina 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People who have spent their life reading and appreciating books, who, using their aquired skills in literary knowledge are totally aware of the ingredients of a good piece of writing.
2007-03-20 07:47:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
I once had a book read by a publisher's reader and she described it ....
"beautifully written, ....what is it about ?"
It was not published but I always felt that the reader's letter should have been !
2007-03-20 07:56:27 · answer #10 · answered by Aunty Wendy 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋