how do you get something published?

Question

If you go to my profile, you can see that I have been writing aload of dribble and a few have suggested that I get it published, how do you go about that? I know about sending it to a publisher, who, what, when and how?

Answer 1

Poetry?

Try publishing on line first. good luck
http://www.authorhouse.co.uk/ContactUs/FreePublishingGuide.aspx?source=GOOGUK&keyword=genres+poetry&country=GBR&gclid=CIPxqqLu-4wCFSggEAodq1f_cQ

Answer 2

Very few publishers will accept work unsolicitied- this means without their asking for it, or without an agent. What the first thing to do is: send you work to literary agents. You can find lists of them using the Writer's and Artist's yearbook which I think most bookshops stock. Try and get the most recent one. If not, most libraries stock it- you can't borrow it, but you could photocopy the pages you need.
Hopefully through that you'll get representation.

It is best to have some kind of CV, listing where your work has been published before (magazines, newspapers etc) and send a decent sypnopsis of your work.

Thorugh perserverance, and if your work really is good enough, you might make it. But, it is the most difficult thing, in my opinion, to break into. Also, don't expect immediate responses- they can take months.

My husband spent five years trying to get published with one of his books, then he wrote up his life story (Suicide Junkie) and it was accepted within a few months by an agent/publisher and now a year later it's on paperback. He does signings, talks, tv work (is doing tv this morning actually), has a website, radio work, everything. It can happen!

Answer 3

The first thing you should do is buy a copy of the "Writer's Market" book. You can find it at Barnes and Noble, or order it online.There are different editions of this book: Writer's Market for Children's Books; Writer's Market for Screenplays, etc. You will obviously buy the one that fits your type of writing. This book lists hundreds of publishers, and describes what they are looking for, as well as if they accept unsolicited manuscripts. From there, should you find a publisher who accepts unsolocited material, you would write a query letter, describing your work. There are suggestions in the book about how to write a good query letter. You have to grab the editor's interest within the first couple lines of your letter. If they are interested, or even if they are not, you will be contacted. Hope this helps. Also, there is an excellent magazine you might want to buy, "Writer's Digest." There are many helpful articles by published authors that would help in all aspects of your writing. I have seen this Magazine at Walden Book Stores and at Barnes & Noble.

Answer 4

A fabulous resource for finding publishers, especially for short works such as poems or stories, is the Duotrope Digest web site. You can specify the length of your work and, in some cases, information such as genre, and the site will show you a list of publications that are looking for writing that fits that description. Duotrope will also provide you with a link to the publisher's web site. From there, look for a link that says "Submissions" or "Submit" or "Information for Writers." That will take you to a page with the publication's guidelines, and there you will get precise instructions about how to prepare and send in your manuscript for consideration.

Some publishers will even consider work that is sent to them by e-mail or web-page forms. Duotrope's URL is below.

Duotrope is supported by donations, so if you find them helpful, you might consider sending them a few bucks with PayPal to keep them around.

Answer 5

If you look at the current edition of 'Computer Shopper' there is an article on getting your work into print and having it advertised possibly on Amazon. Books are printed off electronically as required and dispatched.
Have a look at www.Lulu.com which seems to be the site they are most interested in.
It costs BUT not that much and you are certain you will get your work into print and available. If you are any good it's a chance to shine.
I only write articles for Trade Papers and the web - lots of work and no income from it even if the trade ones have been read by hundreds if not thousands round the world.
Good Luck!
RoyS.

Answer 6

I don't think the advice "write something the public wants to read" is good advice. Maybe write something that a publisher wants to read. However, if you don't feel that writing's good enough, which is different from being modest about your talents of course, how do expect anyone else to be?

Answer 7

The crucial to unlock the energy to make funds from house is discovering the correct on-line interface for writers

Answer 8

I would suggest you try the website below. It lists of dozens of agents who work on behalf of authors. Each agent describes who they represent and crucially, how to make a submission to them.

www.publishersmarketplace.com

Answer 9

easy,write something that the public wants to read