How exactly is one supposed to publish a book or story?

Answer 1

Jeffrey Gitomer is a great writer that I really enjoy. He's a bit quirky, but that's what makes him so great.

Anyway, this is his answer to the same basic question:


The 3.5 tips are: 1. Don’t get an agent. They only make deals that are good for agents. 2. Don’t listen to publishers. Not only will they lie to you, they will only do things in their best interest, not yours. 3. Be prepared for a long list of rejections and people trying to tell you which end is up. When in doubt, follow your heart. 3.5 Capture your ideas whenever they occur.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

The publishing process is not an easy one as noted in another answer. I currently have my second editon of my book and between getting my first edition published and my second I have learned much.

There are various options for getting published both in print and online. If it is a story there are several sites that will publish it online but I would carefully check them out as to their popularity and traffic. One thing to check is the page rank of the site. This can be checked through google by searching for google page rank checker. You put in the web site and it will identify the page rank. The higher the number the better the site is rated. Another avenue is www.alexa.com. This will give you traffic numbers, the number of links and the directory exposure. If the site is not within alexa.com it does not necessarily mean that it is not a good site.

For publishing in print I would check with several writers forums such as the one on www.writersweekly.com. Get input from other writers. There is a wealth of experience from writers on this site.

You must be careful also in choosing a publisher as some promise more than they can or will deliver. Others follow through with their committment. I have a web site www.myqualitywriting.com which is a resource for other writers to market and gain exposure for their work. There is a free download on my publishing journey and it identifies some of the process of getting published and what I have learned.

It does not matter what type of publisher you choose, the success of your book depends on your commitment to market it. Publishers have limits on their resources to market every book they publish. It is up to the author to do the marketing to create an interest in their writing.

Hopes this helps.

Answer 3

Getting Published
Non-fiction is easier to get published, but by no means is it easy. Other than having a certain newspaper editorial page or a magazine suited to the short story or article, an author should:

1. Visit the library, check out the "Writer's Market" book, and search for a publishing house that best suits the manuscript.

2. Write the best query letter you can wherein the first paragraph is better than the opening line on your manuscript. Follow all query letter and manuscript guidelines as set forth by the publisher and the writers' guide.

3. Always include a self-addressed, stamped envelope in the submission.

4. If the author is not fortunate in getting a response from the publishing house, repeat the above steps in seeking agent representation.

5. Your manuscript is automatically copyrighted once it is in a tangible form, but you can still submit it to the Library of Congress on a TX Form at a cost of $35. In approximately eight months, the registration for the work should be received. For details in copyright submissions, log on to the Library of Congress website.

Unless an author is at the right place, the right time, and with the right publisher or agent, the prospects of getting something published is extremely difficult. A fiction novel is even more difficult unless you are already established as a published author.

There is much more to this topic on getting published that takes months, even years, to work through. Everything submitted must be perfectly formatted, no spelling errors, and certainly, is perfect in grammar.

It is wise to have the manuscript edited several times even before its first submission. An author must never expect the agent or the publisher to edit the manuscript if it is already messy. Such an attitude only results in the manuscript getting thrown in the trashcan.

You will hear people claim they've "been published." Ask how it was done and they might reply either by “Print on Demand" publishing or subsidy publishing, which takes the author’s money up front before anything is put into printing. These methods of publishing are a good way to go provided funds are available to support the enterprise. Nevertheless, having a book published in this manner does not guarantee sales marketing of the book. That is why reputable publishers and agents are so selective; they can’t spend time and money marketing a book that they feel will not project sales.

It is not a walk in the park nowadays. (That is a trite expression to always avoid). Agents and publishing houses are deluged with manuscripts everyday. And sadly, they trash more of them than you'll ever know. Only a very small percentage gets to the printing press. Many writers view that only celebrities and well known political figures and authors will see their manuscript published without delay.


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There are two other options to getting your work published--other than the standard agent representation or direct publishing through a publishing house.

1. Subsiding Publishing: There are several reputable companies who will take your novel and provide an attractive cover, binding, and printed form on either hardbound or paperback.

Some companies will offer terms and a payment plan and the cost to you ranges from $6,000 to $20,000., depending on word count and size.

2. Print on Demand: These companies will take your novel, provide hardbound or paperback options, and for a price, print as many copies as you desire. An initial cost could be from $300 to $1,500. It could be more. Payment options may also be in the equation here. With this option, the writer must do all the legwork in publicity, book signings, and distribution.

Some publishing agents and firms want you to have your manuscript edited through one of their subsidiaries, all at a cost to you. The more reputable agents and publishing houses will not expect this of you; they will edit the manuscript once they've taken it on.

Unless you are a Hollywood celebrity or a high profile political figure, expect to work hard at the grind for publishing your material.

Agent representation, for many, is the best way to go. Agencies know what publishers want what to print. They know the best contacts to submit your manuscript, and they look out for your best interests and theirs because it's all economics to them. If they can't sell your book, they don't make money; that's about as plain as it gets.

Many potential best-sellers are trashed by agents and publishers alike because of the monumental submissions they receive. If a manuscript contains flaws in spelling, grammar, and contrived clichés, it will head to the trash can before the second page is ever read.

Answer 4

That's a good questions - I am trying to get one published right now - when you find the answer let me know ♥

Answer 5

Do i desire a literary agent? A literary agent is there to sell your artwork to a writer. they have interior connections and a quickly song to getting your artwork study. Do I could desire to end the full element earlier sending it to a writer, or am i able to deliver the 1st few chapters? you are able to desire to end your manuscript earlier you deliver it to an agent or writer. Neither can study the e book on your head and that they desire the peace of mind of a finished product as a manner to sign with an author. Do i in my opinion drop off my manuscript or do I deliver it by potential of mail? maximum publishers/brokers/editors desire a not uncomplicated reproduction which you would be able to deliver by potential of potential of mail and at times they'll enable e mail. Publishers and brokers are placed all around the states and worldwide. it may be impossible to hand grant all your copies with the aid of fact in maximum circumstances you would be submitting to greater advantageous than one writer/agent/editor at a time. And the place precisely am I meant to deliver it? You deliver it to the writer/agent address provided on their submissions website/link. each and each writer and agent has a submissions technique that usually starts off with a real written question letter and or synopsis. in the event that they're inspired or a minimum of mildly fascinated they'll touch you and ask for some chapters. someplace between 3 and 5. If I do deliver it do I even have any copyright protections or do I could desire to copyright my artwork earlier hand? in case you copyright your artwork previous to getting illustration you're in essence combating the writer from representing your artwork. The rights incorporate advertising, merchandising and marketing and distribution of your artwork and in case you lock up those rights by potential of copyrighting the artwork your self, greater advantageous than possibly no person would be prepared to signify you. As a customary time author your fee is your manuscript. The writer needs those rights as a manner to make a income for themselves and you.

Answer 6

Get the current edition of "The Writer's Market". It has all the info you need.

Answer 7

You need to mail copies of your story to publishing companies, and see if they'd be interested in printing and selling it....