How do you publish a book you've written?

Question

I've written a book, and I'd like to publish it.

Answer 1

Start by buying a copy of Writers Market and learning how the publishing industry works. I have starred many great Q and A here regarding writing and publishing. You can go to my profile and access them under my starred questions. Print a bunch out and study them. I keep adding new ones as I see good ones here. A lot of people have started making their own notebooks of the Q and A here.

You have gotten some incorrect information her so far. NEVER send a manuscript to any publisher unsolicited. You have to go to their website or look up their entry in Writers Digest and follow their submission requirements. Generally that means sending a query letter first. If they are interested, they will request either a full or partial manuscript and a book proposal., There are books that teach you how to write both a query letter and a proposal. A book proposal is probably more important than your actual manuscript. It is the selling tool you use to sell your book.

Sending an unsolicited manuscript to any publisher results in being put in the slush pile -- the pile of manuscripts awaiting a clerk to get around to sending a form rejection letter. Following directions is very important in the publishing business.

First have your manuscript edited. Make sure it is in perfect shape and properly formatted. Then start querying. Have your manuscript ready in case someone asks for it. But NEVER just drop it in the mail. You will be wasting the cost of the copy plus the cost of postage. It will not get read. Nowhere. No how. Many people here post information they have heard second hand and really don't know to be true. That is most unfortunate to those of you who seek true information.

Pax - C

Answer 2

You essentially have three options: Royalty publishers, self-publishing and vanity publishers. If you are interested in having your book considered by a royalty publisher you must first understand how the business works. Most larger publishing houses do not accept manuscripts directly and only work with agented writers. Some publishers do accept queries and book proposals, but it depends on the publisher and the genre you are working with. Most likely you will have to send a letter of inquiry and a book proposal to a literary agent who may be interested in representing you. Acquiring an agent is no guarantee of a sale and not all agencies are equal (or reputable so do your homework).

Smaller independent presses are more likely to work with an individual author and are more likely to accept complete manuscripts.

Self publishing means exactly that -- you publish your own book. You do the layout and design hire someone to do it. You hire a printer and pay all the costs. On-demand printing technology has made this a cheaper option than it once was, however you are also responsible for promoting and selling your own book so other costs should be factored into this option.

Vanity publishing is not the same as self-publishing. These publisher call themselves subsidy publishers -- i.e. they were subsidized by you. This option can cost you thousands of dollars for very little return. Be wary of an agreement with a vanity publisher as you will like end up with a couple hundred unsold books and losing a lot of money, whereas the publisher will make lots of money selling their dubious "services" to you.

Answer 3

Your story isn't a book by any means. I wrote a short story yesterday that's close to 7000 words - 13 1/2 pages on my computer (and I wouldn't recommend writing that much in a single day - I still have the headache from it). A couple of months ago I finished a 125,000 word novel that I'm currently rewriting. Now when you say you're planning on "choosing" a publisher, then I take it to mean that you're going to self-publish it? Because that's a whole lot different than getting it professionally published by one of the paying markets, especially the top New York ones. You don't choose them, one of them chooses you, if you're lucky and talented. But it's way different for an 1800 word story. You'd be looking for short story publishers, and the paying ones are harder to get into than small presses. You're right that additions will take time, but if you want to extend it into a book instead of a short story, then you'll have to be willing to spend a lot of time on both the writing and the rewriting.

Answer 4

Send it to loads of publishers- most will tell you to p$%s off in not so many words- don't let it get you down- keep plugging away at it until someone takes it up.
There are also magazines that publish short stories- if you write a few of these it's not only a good way to make some cash, but it also gets your name out there.
If any publishers request re-drafts or re-writes then your on the right track-it's worth considering unless you feel the changes they want making are too drastic.
Oh- and if you can afford it, always send them a fresh copy- if its dog-eared and well read they'll know you've already sent it elsewhere and been turned down, but if its new they'll think they're the first. It's daft but it makes a difference.

Answer 5

Try Authorhouse.com---I've published 2 books through them. Promoting the book (ie., which is what a major publishing house does) is up to you when you do it this way. You won't become rich or maybe not even famous by self publishing but you will sell enough (probably, if the book is good) to recoup your expenditures and you can always sell to a major because you retain all copyrights.

Answer 6

Very Good!try The Best of The Novel Writer's Market(you can have the library get it for you or hid in the stalls at Bordersor Barnes&noble and cadge the publishers you want to send your work to.The Writer's Market ids good to.make sur you've scoped your manuscript for typos,include word count,contact info.

Answer 7

send the work into a publisher

Answer 8

Get the current "Writer's Market" book.