what is the best way to publish a book?

Question

I just completed my first book, ive looked into self publishing but i really want an option that will get my book out there, experienced answers are appreciated. thanks

Answer 1

If you want a real book deal (not pod, self-publishing, etc) you'll need an agent. Be prepared for tons of rejection. Be prepared to have to re-write. Be prepared to have to give up on your first book and write another, better book. Here are the steps to getting an agent:

1) Finish the first draft of a manuscript. Let trusted friends read it. Revise.

2) Read these two books:
Noah Lukeman's THE FIRST FIVE PAGES
and
SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS by Rennie Browne
Then edit your manuscript again.

3) Once your manuscript is perfect, it's time for the query letter. You can google "sample query letters" to get a feel for how they're done. Make sure your query letter is perfect. Post it on writers.net or absolutewrite.com for critique.

4) Once your query is perfect, start to research agents. Look in books that are similar to yours in the acknowledgments--authors usually thank their agents there. You can use agentquery.com to find out what genres agents accept and whether they are looking for new clients. Also, sign up for the free newsletter from publishersmarketplace.com and you will read some deals in there. Pay attention to which agents are making deals for debut authors.

5) Most importantly, check Preditors & Editors before you query each agent and make sure the agent is ok! If the agent is not recommended, do not query them. Here is the link:
http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/

The rule is... money flows to the writer. You should not pay a cent to get published. A real agent takes 15% of the sale and does not charge you unless he/she makes a sale. Do not pay anyone anything.

After you sign with an agent, they will submit the manuscript to publishers.

Good luck!

Answer 2

You don't have to spend money to get your book out there. A publishing house should pay you money to put your book out there.

You don't need an agent to publish your work. In fact, for a first book, it's actually more difficult to get an agent than a publisher. Since you won't have previous sales or a fanbase on a first book, you wouldn't have the negotiating power for an agent to ask for anything more than what a publishing house first offers anyway.

The easiest path to publication is - network with other authors to polish your work, get a contract with a small publisher, get an agent for your next work, then get a NY publisher.

There are a few professional writing organizations that can help you learn what publishing houses are looking for so you can tweak your work. The RWA, https://www.rwanational.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=RWA&WebKey=fee70c0b-5f80-42b0-b1b7-5bf2555267e0 , seems to be the most helpful to new writers, even if you don't write romance. They have plenty of published writers who are willing to mentor new writers. Their local chapters also have great writing, synopses, pitching to agents, and editing workshops. You don't have to be a member to go to the workshops and they're often led by some amazing writers. The author of How to Write a Damn Good Novel just spoke at one.

To find small publishing houses, you can search through the list on http://www.writersmarket.com/. If you get a rejection letter, it's okay to politely write back to ask why. Some will tell you and will be willing to look at your work again after revisions.

Of course, it doesn't hurt to submit to agents also. The writersmarket.com has a searchable list of agents, too.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

The hard truth is that self-published fiction books sell only to the author's friends and family. Most sell well under 100 books. Yes, of course there are exceptions, but the odds are strongly against your book being one, even if it's good. (Fiction is considered a failure if it sells fewer than 5,000 copies.)

If you self-publish, you will find methods of self-promotion are closed to you. Most bookstores will not host signings. Radio and TV shows won't interview you. The paper may ignore press releases and announcements. Critics will not read the review copies you send them. You may be banned from websites for spamming if you promote your own book.

The POD company generally does no promotion other than offer your book for sale at its website, although it may offer to host your webpage. In addition, the POD will protect its copyright of your cover image, meaning you can't have postcards or bookmarks printed up at your own expense but must buy from them.

I strongly recommend you forget self-publishing.

Answer 4

Send query letters to publishers and agents who do handle work in your field. Or, you can work with a coach who has experience in publishing. Lisa Tener in Rhode Island is one such coach. I believe you can reach her at:

http://www.lisatener.com