I want to publish a book?

Question

I am 11 years old going on 12 but all of my friends love my stories. My teachers even reccomended going into creative writing classes because they know how much I love it. Anyways I am writing a story and I really want it published. My friend is helping me by beta-ing it and illustrating it, but I don't want it to just be one book that my friends can enjoy, I want everyone to be able to enjoy it. I am awesome at writing and I know it, but I hate saying it because I'm too modest. Can you guys tell me some places that would take me seriously? Its sci-fi/adventure just to tell you. Thank you, I don't want to self publish it either because how many great books in stores are self published?

It's 28 pages so far and I'm no where near halfway done!

Answer 1

Good for you! Well, depending on how long your story is, you can go a few different ways. If its shorter, you can submit it to sci-fi magazines that publish stories or regular fiction magazines that publish readers stories. Go to a book store with a lot of magazines & scan the fiction/sci mags & see whats there. There are usually addresses & info on submitting stories or on their websites. Pay attention to what format, length, procedure on how to submit. You can axe your chances pretty early if you don't follow their instructions.
If you have a novel sized story, then you'll be aiming for a publishing house. I won't lie to you, this is extremely tough to break into, but if you start now, you'll have a leg up on a lot of other people.
A 12 year old writing a novel is actually a good angle. Play it up. Couldn't hurt. Most publishers won't accept a manuscript from someone that hasn't published before or doesn't have an agent (i know, i know it doesn't make sense). So, you have to research what pub houses would publish your kind of story (some do just romance, others fantasy, others self help books-know who your sending it to). I suggest picking up 'get your book published for dummies'. It will give you loads of info to help and they also list publishers, what they do & how to get a hold of them.
Most editors require you to send whats called a query letter first. Basically, its a letter asking if you can send your story to them to look over. It is very brief, and gives a very short outline of your story. Be tantilizing! Get their attention! and make it short!
Some places will take manuscripts right off but its few, and it will probably end up in whats called a 'slush pile' -a heap of manuscripts that people send in that will never get looked at.
Honestly, its hard to get into. I would seriously suggest trying something online. You're part of that generation thats on the cusp of something really different. The net is changing everything. It opens so many possibilities. Use it. Obviously if you're on here, you're smart enough to take the first step.
Do a website, get peoples attention. Make them come to you.
Anyway, good luck. Its tough but you obviously have the heart of a writer and we're a tough bunch, you'll make it. knock em dead.

Answer 2

You will need to finish your book before you begin to submit it for possible publication. No one will consider an unproven author without a completed book in hand. Once you have finished writing, go back and begin the editing process. I'd suggest also having a parent or trusted teacher look through it with you and make sure it is as polished as you can make it.

"Writer's Market", along with "The Guide to Literary Agents" are my two suggestions for diving into the traditional publishing market. I suggest looking for an agent first because they are the best step through the publishing door. You will create a submission package that matches the agents preferences (some, for instance, just want a query letter and summary in your first contact with them while others want more). Once you find an agent that is willing to represent you, they will market your book to publishers. Remember, in traditional publishing you should not be paying for anything! They get paid when you get paid!

I would suggest also taking a look at "Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript" to help you see what a query letter, synopsis, and formatted novel should look like. You will need to make these as polished and professional as possible-- no matter your age, you must realize that this is a business deal that you are seeking out.

It can also help to have some previous publishing credits under your belt. If you have written poetry or short stories, consider submitting them to appropriate magazines or literary journals. "Writer's Market" can help you begin to identify which places read writing similar to your own work. Having a track record can make you more appealing to an agent.

Your local public library should have copies of at least a couple of the books I've recommended in their reference section.

Also keep in mind that this can be a long process. You will probably not get a lot of positive responses right away, and the rejection can be disheartening. But keep it up and you will find a home for your story!

Last piece of advice: check out the website Preditors and Editors. They will help you avoid any scams which will make the road that much smoother:
http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/

Answer 3

Agents won't contact some thing that's already Published (if it is a respectable organization) niether will they submit matters which were placed at the Internet. Synopsis's is fine however for those who add chapters then no. Also with self-publishing you might have doomed your self. Your booklet is not getting anyplace so that you write anything else and process an Agent. They wish to understand whether or not you might have any matrerial Published, then they wish to understand whether or not it bought. Yours has no longer, they marvel why and wont be given your paintings. You ought to ask why your paintings hasn't bought. Self-Publishing could make or holiday you and really as a rule it breaks you, now you'll be able to wrestle to submit some thing along with your History. I are not able to urge humans ample to determine each and every angel of Publishing and in my sincere opinion keep away from Self-publishing. Sorry to provide you best unhealthy information, however it is not your booklet that wont be authorised however you as good. I are not able to even let you know what to do and you'll be able to no longer get out of it I'm afraid. I'm no longer an Author myself I paintings for the 'Dark Side', humans should not be so scared of Agents we do not chew that difficult.

Answer 4

Well, since I started writing when I was 13, I can tell you my step-by-step plan:

1. Finish writing the story
2. Put it away for five years
3. Come back and read it in five years and realize how terrible that first attempt was!
4. Start over. ;)

When I was 13, I thought I was brilliant. So did all of my friends. Like you, my teachers noticed my interest in writing, and encouraged me to keep writing. More importantly, they encouraged me to KEEP READING! So I wrote and read, and read and wrote. Then one day I went back and reread all of my old stories and realized how terrible of a writer I was...and laughed.

I laughed because I had grown so much as a writer, and gotten so much better than I had originally imagined. I've published dozens of stories and poems since then, and now run my own small press.

Please, DON'T destroy your talent by worrying about publishing NOW. It will simply allow you to stagnate in a comfort zone. By all means, keep writing. But also read. Read everything. And after a few more years you too will look back and laugh at your early stories, and be proud of how far you have come.

DON'T SELF PUBLISH!!!!!You'll simply be wasting your time and talent. Instead, spend your time honing your craft. Ask your parents to get you a subscription to Writer's Digest or the Writer. Attend workshops. When authors do readings at your local library or bookstore, go attend them. Do everything you can now to learn and grow. Don't assume you have "arrived". You haven't.

Take it from an ex-teenager who's been there...done that. Now is the time to explore the craft and develop your skill. The publishing industry is not going anywhere. It will wait until you really have produced something of value.

Answer 5

Okay, let's say you are an awesome writer and your story is brilliant and the pictures are worthy of Caldecott medals.

Even if that's the case, you still need a good old fashioned dose of LUCK! Believe me; I'm seventeen and it is incredibly hard to get published, especially if you're young. My advice to you would be to finish the book since it seems like you're having so much fun with it, but focus at this time in life on honing your writing skill and not worrying so much about the publication. Remember: WRITE FOR YOURSELF, not for anyone else. If your goal is to be published (and it sounds like it is) then the best thing you can do at 12 years old is to improve your writing and read and write A LOT.
Put the publishing thing on the shelf for a few years and in that time learn about the business (might I suggest http://www.misssnark.blogspot.com ?) so that when you are ready to really put your best foot forward you'll know how to do it.

Note: Don't take what I'm saying the wrong way. I'm not saying you're "too young" to know what you're doing or anything, I'm just saying that you'll have better chances if you learn about the business and get EVEN better and focus on the writing right now. If you love writing as much as you seem to, you'll want to get published just as much when you're 17 as you do now.

Answer 6

It is great that you are writing from such a young age, all I can say is keep writing and reading as much as you can. I am no expert, but just keep writing and if you can go and do some of those creative writing courses, my writing teacher tells me you have to rewrite and rewrite all the time. Keep on writing !
From Shirley Brumby.

Answer 7

Go to Resolved Answers and spend a lot of time studying the answers there. This question is answered 50 or more times a day. The information you seek is all there. By the way if it is a picture book, you generally don't pick your own artist - one is assigned to you by your publisher. Pax - C.

Answer 8

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