How do I go about getting a potential book published?

Answer 1

Here are my recommendations on getting published: first, finish your book completely. And try not to focus on the publishing part while you write—tell yourself a story that you really love. After you're done, read through it several times and fix anything that doesn't feel right. Then, if you're brave, have someone you trust (who also has good taste in books) read through it and give you constructive criticism. After you've got the manuscript cleaned up, go to the library and check out a big book called "Writer's Market" (or you can get an on-line subscription for something like three bucks a month at http://www.writersmarket.com/index_ns.asp, which is what I did). Search for agents who specifically represent the kind of literature you write--YA, children's, mystery, whatever. Research these agents as much as possible--find out if they just want a one page query, or a two page synopsis, or a whole chapter (there's lots of information about how to write a query on line--here's a good one: http://www.carolynjewel.com/craft/query.shtml.) You have a better chance of getting someone to look at your query if you give them exactly what they want. Be brave, even when you get rejections. All bestselling authors got rejections. All it takes is one person who wants to look at your manuscript
( i didn't say any of this, this was on a website of a best selling author stepheniey meyer who wrote twilight and this is the best advice i have ever heard...i am also trying to publish a book)
good luck
kathy

Answer 2

First of all, you say potential book. It must be written first. It must also be edited. Then, you can either use Writers Market (which you can buy for 30 dollars) or Literary Marketplace (use it at the library's reference section - it costs 300 a year.) and seek out agents or small publishers who are seeking works in your genre. Note - You cannot get through to large A List Publishers directly. Only A List agents can. They do not accept unsolicited submissions.

When you have found a couple that interest you - research them! Google the hell out of the name. Start with Preditors and Editors site and Absolute Write Water Cooler Bewares and Background Checks forum for any information on the publisher/agent. There are a lot of fakes, frauds and companies on the brink of bankruptcy out there. When writers have been hassled by a publisher/agent, we write about it! You will find information in these forums involving other writers issues with the publisher/agent. If so, find others and steer yourself away from problems.

What you send first is a query letter and synopsis. Each agent and publisher has their own set of submission guidelines and they must be followed to the letter.

You have to learn to have a hide as tough as a herd of elephants because you will get rejections. It's the nature of the beast. Gone with the Wind got 50. Just send out another letter to another agent or publisher and try again.

Eventually when you get a "bite", they will ask to see either a full or partial manuscript and a book proposal. That is a very specific document. You can get books on how to write one.

This is one of the ways using a professional editor comes in handy. Not only will they check your manuscript for spelling, grammar, sentence structure etc, they will also make margin notes with regards to your actual story. They will tell you which parts to consider cutting, where to speed up, where to slow down, where you need more detail, where you have too much detail. They will also be able to work with you on your book proposal. That is the document your agent will use to sell your book to a publisher. An editor knows how to prepare and sell a book. They know what sells. They cost money, but it costs money to make money. But it's extremely worth it. It will take a good book and turn it into a GREAT book.

Then you wait again. There is a lot of waiting involved. While you wait, you keep writing and working on a new book. If you wind up not getting any bites on your first novel, try another one. Very often, an author has one or two books they never sold. Consider them practice novels.

You can also go to Resolved Questions and search keywords publisher and publishing. There are a lot of answers here - some good some not so good. But they are good to print out and study. You have to learn to advocate for yourself. The more you learn, the better off you are/

Hope that helps. Pax - C

Answer 3

Try Xlibris. My friend had her book published and she's never been happier - increased book sales in less than a year.

There is so much that Xlibris can offer you if you want to publish a poetry book. They have excellent print quality especially for full-color books. If you self-publish your poetry book with them, you get to retain all the rights to your book and they have an open-ended contract. If you choose to move out or move on to traditional publishing, you can take your work with you. They are the only POD company offering two rounds of qualification and approval before publication complete and a money-back guarantee up to author copy stage. With regards to distribution, they provide authorswith affordable and quality marketing services that open the marketplace of published books to everyone. Your book will be distributed through Ingram, and made available at Barnes and Noble, Borders and Amazon.

Link: http://www2.xlibris.com/requestkit/index.asp?src=aop&key=yje

Answer 4

This website has a lot of good information on getting published.

http://www.writersservices.com/services/index.htm