what are the steps to publishing a book?

Question

i want to write one of those funny bathroom books with illustrations, what steps should i take?

Answer 1

Well, first write the book. Most publishers won't waste their time with an unwritten book. After that, go to the book store and find out which publishing company published most of the bathroom books there. Then, contact then either by phone or via email. Send then a sample of your book and if they like the sample, they'll probably set up a meeting in person with you to discuss publishing it.

Answer 2

So far, you have gotten some pretty bum information. Sorry about that. Write the book first. That much is clear. Then get a copy of Writers Market 2007 and read it. Search through agents or small publishers reading humor books. You can only get through to large publishers through an agent. When you find someone, the next step is to check them out through Preditors and Editors and Absolute Write Water Cooler Bewares and Background Checks and research the agent or publisher. There are a lot of scams and frauds out there. Once you have established the agent/publisher to be legit, read their submission requirements carefully. Generally that will mean sending them a query letter with a synopsis along with a SASE. Do not send anything that is not requested. Do not make any unsolicited telephone calls to a publisher or an agent. They will not speak with you. While you are waiting for an answer, you polish up the manuscript so that it is perfect - no errors, properly formatted etc. If the publisher/agent is interested, they will request a partial manuscript or a complete manuscript. If they are not, they will use your SASE to send a rejection letter. Expect a LOT of those before you make a good connection. Gone With the Wind got rejected 50 times before a publisher bought it.

This is not a simple process. It takes a great deal of time and effort on your part. And the answers you have gotten here are totally out of line and wrong. You have to learn to advocate for yourself - read whatever you can and learn as much as you can.

There are many archived answers in Resolved Questions. Go through them and print them out. Search keywords publisher and publishing. Search for usable information. There is a lot there. Pax - C

Answer 3

The first step will be to write the book. Draw the illustrations, put together the content, and edit it to perfection. Get some feedback. Make it different from all the other books of that type you've seen. Publishers are looking for the new, fresh, marketable material.

Then seek out a publisher that specializes in that type of humor/gift book. Writer's Market can help you do this. You'll do what's called 'query' the editors, to find out if they are interested in your type of book and want to know more.

Once you receive an interested response, they'll let you know what to send and discuss the next steps.

Answer 4

Someone else here mentioned a copyright. Actually, registering a formal copyright is not required, since as soon as you write it it is automatically and legally copyrighted.

The first step is to find a literary agent.

If your book is fiction, than you have to finish it before querying an agent. If your book is non-fiction (which it sounds like it is) than you may query just the idea.

There are several websites out there that will help you find an agent, my favorite is QueryTracker.net at http://www.querytracker.net/ . It is free and 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.

You should also visit http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/, one of the largest forums for writers. They can be very helpful.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Write a rattling good novel, be sure it somewhat is the suited you're able to do. Write a question letter - be sure you study up on blogs of brokers and whatnot, do no longer make a similar blunders others do. placed up to an agent (or various). If/once you get an agent, they're going to deliver it to publishers, and with a bit of luck it will finally end up revealed. you may additionally self-placed up, yet this isn't seen "valid" publishing and on a similar time because it somewhat is no longer regarded down upon interior the publishing worldwide, it is not seen an somewhat publishing credit, the two.

Answer 6

Get a Literary Agent, to pitch your book to publishers.

Answer 7

Write what you want. Get it "copyrighted," and then find a publisher.

Answer 8

find a publisher first google it contact them they will read your story and decide