I'm 15 and I want to publish a book?

Question

How do I know if a publisher is legitamite? Can you recommend any in California? Do you have to have a degree in writting to publish a book?

Answer 1

A legitimate publisher would be listed in the Writer's Market, (a large book found in the library reference department, usually). If they accept manuscripts, they do not ask for a reading fee, do not ask you to give money for publishing or promoting, and have been in business for 5 years or more.
To find publishing houses in California, use the Writer's Market or look at a good Writer's Magazine for listings.
You don't need a degree but the grasp of spelling, punctuation, sentence structure and grammar are definite selling points. The book needs to be finished before an editor will look at it. At this point in time, editors are looking for any manuscripts having to do with mystery and intrigue, myths and legends, how-to do any sports-related activity, environmental solutions, and modern-day romances. The market is overdone with wizard/sorcery, vampire/werewolf, historical romances, diet tips, and relationship secrets so books in those fields stand to be rejected.
Good luck. Hope to see you on the shelf some day

Answer 2

First of all, that's awesome that you wrote a book.

Second, you have to be careful with your work. You need to protect your rights. I would try to see if I could enter a writing contest to try to break into it. If you have an author meet and greet near your area of someone you admire, go and see if they'll take a look at it. It couldn't hurt right?

Third, no you don't need a degree. Kelly McWilliams wrote Doormat when she was around your age, and it was published. So don't give up on it if you don't succeed at first.

Answer 3

You don't need a degree. You might want to get your book an agent and you DEFINITLEY want to copyright it! You can copyright it by mailing it to yourself and never opening the envelope. Then, if you ever need to prove that you wrote the book you'll have the date on your unopened envelope. Also, you can mail your manuscript to companies, but I wouldn't bank on getting any results that way.