I am currently writing a book and I want to get it published after I finish writing it but I need to know if I can with me being only 15 years old and all....
2007-07-27 13:13:45 · 11 answers · asked by Tiffany H 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Of course! The thing publishers look at most is the quality of the book, not the age of the author. How do I know? I'm Michelle Izmaylov, published author of Dream Saver. How old am I? Currently, only 16.
It's not easy but certainly possible, and don't let anyone discourage you in trying! I was published by Mercury Publishing House (www.mercurypublishinghouse.co... ), but the road there wasn't easy. Let me warn you—it's no easy matter. It's a rough ride from typing a manuscript to holding your own novel, but it's possible—considering, of course, that you're ready to try and fail and try again.
First of all, you've got to watch out for sharks in the water. Most of the publishers I found were self-publishers in disguise. 'Self-publish' means a company that will charge you money to get your book onto the market and into stores—or so they say. They feed you fancy lies topped off with whipped cream, icing, and sprinkled nonsense. No self-publish company will ever get your book into any major bookstores such as Barnes and Noble, simply because major retailers don't deal with self-publishers. The big bookstores know that self-publishers publish anything and everyone—trash and fantastic works alike. They won't risk taking a bad book into their stores when Scholastic is putting out bestsellers by the dozen. So watch out for them. They'll take your money and sell you your own book without making you a big-ticket item. So skip the self-publishers.
The guys you really want to work with are traditional publishers. These guys only take the best of the best and publish your book for free (often, they even pay the author in advance for the manuscript). Traditional publishers are hard to get to, but don't give up until you get in. To get through to these guys, you might want to have a literary agent represent you because most traditional publishers don't request unsolicited manuscripts.
Once you've weeded out the bad guys, it's time to start mailing query letters to traditional publishers. The key words here are don't give up. Even after I had 250 refusals stashed up in my inbox, I still kept on emailing and trying. So don't get discouraged. Remember, the road's tough, but you can overcome it!
Personally, I got in through an unconventional method. I won a short story contest sponsored by Mercury Publishing House, a traditional publishing company. Thus, my story "Bonnie" was the real reason I was published. My win gave my direct contact with the company and I worked things out from there!
For links to agents and publishers, check out my blog (www.michelleizmaylov.blogspot... com). I also have some good tips and advice!
Good luck in getting published!
2007-08-01 04:00:54 · answer #1 · answered by Michelle Izmaylov 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can. As long as a publisher wishes to publish your book, it doesn't matter how old you are. You will probably have to put some or all of the money in a trust fund until you're 18, though.
Mattie Stepanick had several books of poetry published, and he was only about 7.
2007-07-27 20:17:17 · answer #2 · answered by s p 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to get a Literary Agent to read the book. If the Literary Agents is interested, he will discuss it with a Publisher.
Do NOT expect to get published. Many professionals wait many years to get their book published.
A 10 year old had her book published, but, her mom worked for the publisher.
2007-07-27 20:17:56 · answer #3 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i've known of young people below legal age who have published their books. so, yeah, it is possible for you to have your book published.
i would like to suggest the option of self-publishing for you, since it is an option many fledgling writers use as a stepping stone to becoming a published author.
check out sites like xlibris.com and find out if their services would suit your needs. you can also get a free publishing guide by clicking on the link below.
2007-07-31 21:00:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure you can get it published but after you finish writing make several manuscripts and have people take a stab at reading it first, so you can make the neccessary revisions before sending it to the publisher.
and im curious whats the book about?
2007-07-27 20:16:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can publish a book at any age, but you need a parent, guardian or other legally recognized representative to sign any contracts or legal papers. You can't do that unless you are emancipated. A minor can not legally sign a contract and have that contract be valid.
2007-07-27 20:19:53 · answer #6 · answered by JLR 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes there have been several excellent books published by minors. The Outsiders and Eragon are two examples. Send me a copy I'd love to read it!
2007-07-27 20:16:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can probably get it published, assuming there's an interested in it. You are however, too young to execute a contract.
2007-07-27 20:17:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christopher Paolini was only fifteen when he wrote "Eragon". Age does not matter; the quality of writing is the thing for which editors look.
2007-07-27 20:22:27 · answer #9 · answered by llamallord 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You sure can. Go first to have it regisered. Then send a portion of it off to different publist. Be ready to have some turn you down. Listen if they ask you to rewrite portions. Never pay to have your portion of a book read.
2007-07-27 20:18:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋