Publishing?

Question

I have an idea for a book. I've compiled a lot of it already. I'm just wondering, does anyone know, how do I get the attention of publishers? Do I write to them, detailing my idea and include maybe 5 pages or so of the book? What do u guys recommend?

Answer 1

You will have to finish the book first, but after that your best shot is to find a literary agent. There are several websites out there that will help you, my favorite is QueryTracker.net at http://www.querytracker.net/ . It has a list of literary agents and also tools to help you keep track of who you already queried and who you haven't, plus more.

They do a good job of keeping the crooks off their lists, but it is still a good idea to double check at http://www.sfwa.org/beware/twentyworst.h...

There are a lot of crooks out there. Never pay anyone to read or publish your book. A real agent will never ask for money except as a percentage of your royalties.

Keep in mind that finding an agent and getting published is not an easy process. Some people have to query hundreds of agents before they find one who will accept them (sadly, some never get accepted), but be persistent and keep trying.

Good luck.

Answer 2

1. Complete the book first.
2. Put book away for a month.
3. Go back and rewrite the book.
4. Invest in a subscription to Writer's Digest, The Writer, Poets & Writers, etc. All these magazines have lists of viable markets.
5. Find a market, and follow the instructions given for submission. Do NOT just randomly start sending out unsolicited samples.
6. Many publishers will not consider unagented manuscripts. You therefore need to locate an agent to help you. An agent only gets paid if they place your book with a publisher, so anyone who claims to be an agent and then asks for money is a scam.

Take the time to review the resolved questions. This question is asked and answered about five times a day. The information is already out there. You need to take the initiative and go look for it.

Answer 3

Writer's Market is a directory of publishers and is printed every year. The front offers some helpful advice for how to query editors with your novel.

Some additional pointers:

1. Make sure your work is polished to perfection. There is a huge supply being dumped onto the desks of editors. They can choose to be very picky about how it looks NOW. They're not thinking about what it could be, but what it currently is. So make sure it's perfect before sending.

2. Read and follow the submission guidelines to the absolute letter. They are ALL slightly different, and again, editors will pick up on queries that don't follow the rules. Not only will it show you can follow directions, it shows you take your work seriously and will likely be hassle-free to work with. Some will request just a query letter, some will request a few pages or a chapter. And don't forget any SASE or other return rules they request.

3. As far as rule #2 goes, I will say, as a writer and editor, that the submission rules alone could be responsible for making or breaking you immediately. When I request submissions, anywhere from 80-97% of the entries don't follow the rules. It is very frustrating and allows me to see both sides of the industry. While a writer might think, "It's just a few typos, they can fix it in five minutes," I'm left thinking, "I don't have five minutes. And if it were that important to you, you would have fixed it." (That and when they spell my name wrong....argh! Total pet peeve!)

Visit http://editingpublishing.suite101.com for more tips on query letters and submissions. Good luck finding your perfect publisher!

Answer 4

Publishing? great! I just published a poem of mine, and now i am thinking about a book as well.
To get published, you need to take the initiative and contact the publisher yourself. Include your ideas, what age group would read it, why you want to publish it, your inspiration, and yes, possibly a few pages from it. If you do, choose a part of your book that would have the most impact on your readers. Because that will impress the publisher. When you write them a letter, or e-mail them (which i would recommend doing, vs. writing a letter) Be sure to sound professional, so that they will take you seriously. I believe that you can do it, it's not that hard, but the first time you publish something, it is very nerve racking and scary! A!

The best of luck to you!

Answer 5

Finish your 1st draft, then go over it again and edit it. Once you feel that your book is ready, look for a publisher.

Pick up a copy of "Writer's Market", which lists all kinds of publisher's and their submission guidelines.

Publisher's do not publish ideas, they want completed manuscripts.

Answer 6

Look for an agent who can do that for you. If you fail and still believe in your book, go ahead and self publish and do the marketing etc. If it does well, mainstream publishers will sit up and take notice.

Answer 7

Get the Writer's handbook and see what publishers might like your submissions and which ones accept unsoliticed manuscripts.

Most want the first three chapters and a synopsis for the rest of the book

Answer 8

I am writing a book too it is a fantasy novel. Please email me at [e-mail] and tell me when u find a good answer. It is an awsome book. Maybe u should send your book to Oprah Winfrey she could do anything

Answer 9

you have to find a good agent, send them aouthor qerries, and if they accept you then you can go take it to a good publhser they ussaly help you

but here take a look at this they never say no to books i belive

iuniverse.com
im about to go 2 a publihsing company to day tho 2 so good luck

dont mind my grammer =]