I've just written a book?

Question

I'm living in Ireland and I was just wondering, now that I've finished writing it, what should I do. I need to get it edited, published etc. I don't really have a clue how to copyright the book either. Anyone know what I should do, please help.

Thanks for the star D, the name of the book is The Answer Box.

It's a philosophical work by the way

Cheers for the star M. Bogdan, I'm 19, making me the youngest the youngest philosopher in Ireland because I presented the philosophical community here an esay on The Meaning of Life and the Origin of Existence that had novel philosophical arguements in it. Wish they'd start argue about it with me though instead of just agreeing with me all the time.

WHAT!?! 2-3 GRAND!?! YA GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!?!

Answer 1

www.firstwriter.com is a good place to find Agents and publishers. There are some Publishers and Agents who are especially interested in Irish Authors. It may be worth getting a critique done before you go much further, that will show up plot flaws etc. [shop around]
Have a look on the internet for editing information - publishers are very particular. You will hear a lot about rejection letters.
Other help can come from Literary Consultants, the publishing industry is full of people who are helping others to publish and charging for it. It gets worse as time goes on as more people are trying to write.
Six months is not unusual for a publisher’s response - most are rejected on presentation and the first page.
If you get desperate you can use a vanity publisher or better a partnership publisher. Most publishers’ slots are filled with publisher authors. The cost is about £2500 to £3000.
Don’t give up the more you edit your work the better it will get. You will notice that many books are well written for the first 3 -5 chapters and then the standard goes down because that is what the editors concentrate upon.
I have 3 children’s novels coming out around the end of the year and two more I am hoping to fill a media spot on TV or film. Keep working hard and remember your work does not end with getting published; it is up to you to get media exposure.

Non-fiction is easier to publish - try first writer

LOOKMAN

Answer 2

Don't worry about copyright; you already own copyright once it has been printed out on even a domestic printer.
At this stage you are your own best editor. Put it away for a week or more until it becomes slightly unfamilar and you can look at it with new eyes; you will then spot the typos and so on.
After that, seek an agent. Buy the Writers' and Artists' yearbook; this covers UK agents and publishers and also covers some of the States too. It gives good advice for approaching either but be aware there are unscrupulous agents who will waste your time. I got one such git and it took me 18 months to realise he wasn't doing anything at all after the initial meeting and a few submissions. He didn't bother to contact me and was evasive etc. I'm now about to start seeking a new one;and I'm wiser or more cynical.
It's a hard and heartbreaking process and I wish you every luck with it. be strong.
cheers,
Vivienne

Answer 3

Before you do anything else, I would suggest you find out whether anyone would be willing to publish it. No offence - but for every book that gets published, hundreds of thousands get binned.

Find a literary agent - they'll let you know whether it's any good or not.

As far as copyright is concerned - write your name, date and a c with a circle round it on the manuscript. That should be enough. If you need further proof - put a copy of your manuscript in an envelope and post it to yourself by recorded delivery. Don't open it - if you ever need proof that can provide it.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Congratulations. You're right; the first thing you should have been doing during the writing process was to edit. Seek a literary person in the field of English composition and pay him or her to edit it for you. Don't rely on friends or relatives to objectively edit the manuscript.

Get a copy of the Writer's Market and search for literary agents best suited for the manuscript genre. Follow their submission guidelines exactly and write the best query letter you've ever done. A reference manual that will help in this is Cynthia Laufenberg's, "Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript."

Your manuscript is automatically copyrighted once it is in a tangible printed form. If accepted, the literary agent will formally perform the task of copyright and it will be yours.

Answer 5

You probably need to find an agent, though some try the publisher. It's not easy. You can get information from the library, they should have a copy of the 'Writer's Handbook'. You will need to decide the genre and make sure your first 3 chapters are page turners - good luck.

Answer 6

Trish. Ignore the advice about self-publishing. Self-publishing costs a lot of money, most of which you will never see again. Most major bookstores refuse to stock self-published books. The publisher does not help you market the book at all. Consequently, you will be left with several boxes of books that you will have A LOT of difficulty selling. Yes, you should type your manuscript. It needs to be double-spaced, on one side of the page only with 3cm margins. Individual publishers and agents may have other requirements that they wish you to follow. These guidelines will be on their website. Get typing and best of luck finding that publisher. Again, unless you have a lot of money that you don't want to see again, do not consider self-publishing.

Answer 7

Good for you, I have short-stories as well and many poems. - i love more writing poems and short-stories then a novel. But I`m working on a horror-goth-philosophic novel. I have shown the beginning to a specialist and he agreed it is very very good and I should continue it.
As for you I`m giving you a star, btw how old are you? I`m 17.
And you should go to a book editor, - true one, nowdays many are fake - so be careful with your book and always keep a copy! Ok good luck, wish you all the best!
Bye.

Answer 8

The best thing you can do is get The Writers And Artists Year Book...it answers all the questions you've asked and points out all the pit-falls too,you can get it at any good book shop,or borrow it from the library,seriously..you need to read the relevant sections in this book...the advice it gives to someone ,like yourself is invaluable.

Answer 9

yeah I know how you feeling cuz im currently writting a book myself. copyright is about £2000-£3000 and you can get your copyright from a solicitor they will advise how they would want you to go about the copyright. I hope this information was helpful!!!

if u want we could talk in msn if u have an account my email address is [e-mail]

Answer 10

To ensure copyright send a recorded delivery copy of the manuscript to yourself that way you have proof of the date of writing