A few questions about publishing?

Question

1. What are some of the steps of publishing? 2. What are the odds of getting published? 3. What are the complications of writing under a pen name? 4. Is it possible to get published fairly young? (as in 13-14) I am almost finished writing a novel, and everyone tells me I should think about getting it published.

Answer 1

Steps to publishing:
Write the book.
Edit and polish the manuscript.
Edit and polish the manuscript some more.
Edit and polish the manuscript even more. Make it perfect!
Research agents who publish the type of stories you write. Refer to a current copy of Writer's Market. Check agents' websites. Make sure they have a current list of clients whose books they've seen to publication. Check the preditors/editors link below to make sure there are no complaints against the agents.
Query your top choices in agents. Send out multiple queries. (Info on querying available in the Writer's Market.)
Never pay a fee for someone to read your work. Agents receive commission after they sell your book.

Odds of getting published? Very slim.
Pen name - not that many complications as long as you select a pen name that is not currently in use. Research this. What are your reasons for wanting a pen name? Be prepared to explain this.
When you submit your manuscript, the title page should read:
Title of book
By Your Pen Name

Your real name will be listed in the header of the manuscript and on your query letter. Editors and agents will immediately understand you'll be using a pen name.

You can be published at virtually any age as long as you are professional and serious and persistent. You'll probably need a parent or guardian to co-sign contracts and such, but you can certainly seek publication in your teens.

Finish your novel - you're putting the cart before the horse when worrying about this right now.

Best of luck to you!
§♥♥♥§

P.S. DO NOT submit anything to Publish America, as the other answerer suggested. Publish America has an abominable reputation, which you can verify at the Preditors/Editors link below.

Answer 2

I don't know the odds of getting publshed. There are far more writers than authors (those who've been published). The conventional track is to submit a draft to publishers. Check with each them to find out what they require for submissions. Some don't even want to deal with you and require your agent to contact them.

I acted as my own publisher. I wrote my book, took bids from printers and used my money to print it. The printer took half the money to start and the balance when printing was completed. I had to do the proofs and corrections before it was printed. Cost per copy was a function of the type of binding, quality of paper, number of pages, cover paper and number of copies I ordered. I also had to buy an ISBN number and a bar code for my book. Sadly, you can't buy a single ISBN number (ten is the minimum). On the bright side, I'm set for my next nine books or reprints of the current publication.

To sell the books, I had to register as a business with the state and city where I live. If I'd chosen to use a pen name, I'd have needed to file fie a fictitious name at the county courthouse. Check with the Small Business Administration on how to get started. Rules will vary from state to state, depending on where you live. I found people to be most helpful.

I hope this helps get you started.

Answer 3

I bought a book called Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents 2007. It seems pretty thorough and a good place to start. Miss Snark's blog also has daily interesting tidbits. Good luck.

Answer 4

A great insight/ inside to publishing is Miss Snark.

http://misssnark.blogspot.com/

You could spend a year reading all of the stuff on there and it's mostly pretty amusing, as well.

Answer 5

Hey I'm in the exact same situation. I'm 15, and I wanna get a story published, but I don't want to use my name as the author. I figured out that if you go to publishamerica.com, they tell you exactly what to do. Go there, and good luck! =]

As for writing under a pen name, I don't know, but you might wanna ask the publishamerica people.

Answer 6

try visiting a writers group in your area and their is a writers magazine at the library. Look for smaller publishing companies. Look for romance publishers if you are writing about romance and so etc.

Answer 7

wow........ too many questions. just write your masterpiece and present to publishers to read.

Answer 8

Send me the manuscript, and I'll tell you if it's any good.