How to publish a book....???

Question

I'm really capable of writing a book, and well, the point is... I would like to get one of my books published... but I have no idea what to do first.... ?????

OH yeah... plus I'm 13 years old. lol. yah! but tottally ready to rock!;p

Answer 1

Write the book first.

Too many people want to be writers and spend a lot of time asking how to publish their work. Yet they haven't written a thing!

Write the book first.

Answer 2

Always write the book first before thinking of having it published.

Join some writing groups. Look for state and local organizations where you live. Look for blogs and internet sites that offer information and courses for young people looking to start a career in writing.

Get your work critiqued by as many readers you can, then run it by some writers--hopefully friends you make while hooking up with different groups.

After that, edit your entire manuscript again.

Enter some writing contests, make sure that they aren't scams or rip-off contests (there are lots of links to help you with that, including the one I'll post below.) Try to target contests where the judges are well respected industry professionals.

After that, revise again.

When you finally feel that the book is ready for submission, begin reading about how to write a professional synopsis and a query letter. Have someone read this for you to check for errors, comprehension, etc.

Then when you have all the submission materials ready, you can begin submitting. Just stay away from Publish America if you're interested in having a career in writing.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

You say you are capable but have you already written a book or not? If not then I would encourage you to do that first. I know that sounds silly but a lot of people get caught up in "how to publish" when they haven't even written something to be published.

So do you have a manuscript ready for submission or are you looking at getting published before you have written the book of which you say you are capable?

Answer 4

If you have a finished manuscript, editors would be happy to see it. Check out a book called "Writer's Market 2007" (or Writer's market 2006 if they're not up to '07) and look for companies that accept manuscripts in your genre (sf,romance,history, how-to, for example) . Try to find the little companies because most major publishing houses only deal with agents. Getting an agent is hard to do unless you've been published. (A catch-22 of the industry). Beware of vanity and subsisty companies unless you have the free cash to pay for your own printing run. Compose a query letter, describing your story and promoting yourself a little--like if you wrote a book on Butch Cassidy after spending years researching him--and send it to the editor, after finding out his/her name by phoning the company. Be sure to include your phone number in the query and the manuscript, because most of the time, they get in touch with you that way instead of writing a letter back.
Good luck.

Answer 5

If you're a minor, I expect you'll have a hard time getting attention much less respect. Not to mention the hurdle that minors can't sign contracts. If you'd like to do a book just for fun (hardcover or paperback) you might look into self-publishing at lulu.com. It's surprisingly affordable and you do have the option to put your book on the for-sale-to-public list. Even if your book doesn't sell, you can order a few copies yourself and use them to impress your friends.