how can i get my writings published or how can i get an agent?

Answer 1

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 (SASE) 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 trash can.

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 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.

Note: Persiphone was correct in her answer and was most informative. I was wrong in saying it was easier for publishing non-fiction, but because of the detailed hard work to submit outlines and synopses besides the additional research for non-fiction, such submissions may indeed be accepted quicker than fiction, provided the author has met all the prerequisites.

Yes, I submitted a non-fiction book, but struck out. I have a good idea what is required in submitting non-fiction. Using Cynthia Laufenberg's "Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript" was a big plus.

Answer 2

First of all, I completely disagree with the above answerer on many counts. Non fiction is not any easier to get published than fiction. In many ways, it is considerably harder because the steps to publishing are more difficult. Has the above poster ever written an non-fiction book proposal? I seriously doubt that or he wouldn't have said that. The steps in publishing non fiction are very long and arduous. They involve keeping accurate records of all sources so you can back up your facts, getting signed releases for all interviews and photographs you use, a much more complex outline than a fiction book requires, notes on other books you have read on the subject and many other steps that the fiction writer doesn't ever see.

Secondly, the Writers Market is a mini book compared to the Literary Marketplace. That's why one costs 30 bucks and the other costs 300. Spend the 300 on the later.

To answer your question, I would have to say that it depends on what you are writing and what the genre is. Some genres are considerably harder to get published. For instance, the children's market and the fantasy market are so totally glutted that few publishers want to be bothered and therefore agents dont want to read anything they cannot sell.

You cannot get through to any of the A List publishers without an agent. They do not accept unsolicited submissions, so get over that idea first. You need an A List agent to sell to an A List publisher. You can go to Literary Marketplace or Writers Market and research agents or small publishers. Each listing shows the agency or publisher's submission guidelines. They differ from one to the other. The first step is to follow the guidelines EXACTLY. Submit only what they ask for - not a single thing else. Then sit and wait. If they are interested, they will contact you and ask for more information from you. If not, you start your stack of lovely form rejection letters. Dont be discouraged - everyone gets them. Gone With the Wind was rejected 50 times, James Patterson was rejected 70 or more times before he sold a book. Develop a thick skin. You'll need it.

Before you send anything to anyone you must do two things.

1) Have a perfect manuscript. That means error free, properly formatted and grammatically correct. Usually this means having your book edited. You pay for that. A standard editor gets 4 - 5 dollars a page based on 250 words per page. You may choose not to have your book edited, but you are taking a huge risk.

2) Check the publisher or agent out through the standard sources Preditors and Editors and Absolute Write Water Cooler's Bewares and Background Checks. There are a lot of frauds and baddies out there.

If at all possible, find yourself a writing course in a small college that includes "How to Publish" information. It will help you tremendously.

Also, I seriously advise you to go to Resolved Answers here and search keywords publisher and publishing. There are many good answers archived and some that are not good at all. Read and study them. You must learn to advocate for yourself in order to publish. Nobody can do it for you. It will take you boatloads of time to learn the business and boatloads more time to actually get a book published. It is a 7 day a week, no holidays procedure. And getting it published is only 50% of your job. Once it is published, you have to work on a marketing strategy to actually get it sold.

So, read and learn. Avoid the self publishers like the plague, and decide what is best for you. Good luck. Pax - C

Answer 3

I recommend that you study up on the subject. I did and found a book by Katharine Sands (literary agent and now published author) called "The Perfect Pitch" a very helpful resource. You have to send out a query letter - one page about you, your story, and why you are authorized to write on the subject. Then, wait until the agent gets back to you. If you send snail mail, they probably will get back to you. Also, look up agents of the AAR online to see which ones would best suit you. Basically, just study the business before even trying to get an agent. I hope I helped.

Answer 4

Magazine articles typically don't have to go through an agent (most beginning writers don't have one) and are sent directly to the magazine editor. If you've been doing that and just getting rejection letters, it could be they just don't like your writing, or it is more apt to be that your topics don't fit their needs. Before you send out your next story, get a couple of back copies of the magazine you're aiming at, and analyze the stories in them. Does your article fit that pattern? If not, it's going to come bouncing back. If it does, you're more likely to get a serious reading and maybe an acceptance. Suggestion: Don't start at the top of the heap with the most popular magazines. They get zillions of entries. Start with the smaller magazines, where it's easier to get acceptance. You'll find lists of magazines and their requirements in Writers' Digest. Good luck!

Answer 5

Submit them to publishers....even good authors have to send their first manuscripts many, many times before they get them published for the first time.

Answer 6

hope the website helps-