I just finished my first book (thanks to alot of you guys lol) and I'm sixteen years old. My question is, would it help for me to wait and try to publish it when I turn 17? 16 just seems like a kind of reckless age... And can I try getting it published by a certain publisher more than once? Or would they sue or something for harrasment? Just curious... Thanks!
2007-09-12 16:49:00 · 8 answers · asked by The Fine Flu 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
No they won't sue you for harassment, but it is kind of unprofessional. You can send them a query for a different book, but sending them a second query for a book they rejected is unprofessional.
Major publishers do not accept unsolicited queries. In fact, they do not accept queries from authors at all. They deal with agents. So if this is a major publisher you are trying to get through to, find yourself an agent by sending queries to agents who read material in your genre. If you look in Literary Marketplace or Writers Market, it will tell you what percentage of an agent's clients are first time authors.
As for your age, either way you will still be a minor and your parents will have to sign contracts for you. They will need a literary attorney to help them with setting up contracts and finances for you.
There is no reason not to start now. It usually takes a very long time to find an agent and/or a publisher. You will get many rejections first. Even if you started now, it is likely you would still be trying when you hit 17 anyway. So it is entirely up to you. Don't be surprised if a couple years go by before you make headway. Start another book. Don't sit around waiting. As for leaving out your age, sooner or later they will ask you for a bio if they are interested in your work. Then don't lie. Tell them. They will find out anyway and lying will just end up getting you a bad name in the business.
The first thing you need to do is learn how to write a proper query and synopsis and how the publishing business works. Then you need to learn how to write a great book proposal which is your major selling tool. I have starred many great Q and A with great answers on publishing and writing and you can read them on my profile and even print them out to study. They will help you a lot.
Pax-C
2007-09-12 18:51:47 · answer #1 · answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree, an agent is the best thing for you at this age. There is nothing wrong with being 16 and looking for a publisher. If it is a well written book and something that the publishers are looking for, then by all means, go for it!
An agent would help you understand the processes a little better as well as help you get your foot in the door. Don't tick off publishers by harassing them if they reject you. You can submit to one and if they say no, move on to another. Keep going til someone says yes and don't let the rejections keep you down!! Everyone gets them and they are not personal rejections, it just isn't something they feel they can use at that moment in time so keep trying!
Good luck to you!
2007-09-13 00:27:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some pretty good advice from people here. Make sure your manuscript is as they have said: The Best That It Can Be...
No holes in the story. No misspelled words. No grammar errors. You'll need a book on how to format your manuscript as well. Your library or your favorite bookstore has everything you need. Do yourself a favor and get those books.
When you feel you've done all you can, then buy a copy of Writers Market. In there you will find literary agents that you can submit your work to. Some of them will take 'query letters' via email, while others will only accept snail mail.
Make sure you know how to write a query letter. Yes, they are also in the books you can buy or borrow. Make sure there are no bad spellings or grammar.
An adult (parent or guardian) can help you with any contracts, should they come up.
2007-09-13 00:44:08 · answer #3 · answered by pj m 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's wrong with sixteen? I began writing professionally at fifteen and have been at it since. The only thing you won't be able to do until you are eighteen is sign contracts with publishers. That's a technical issue and has nothing to do with the quality of your writing.
Yes, you can try getting published by the same publisher with the same material more than once. A word of warning. Publishers and editors have long memories and you DO run the risk of being blackballed by repeatedly sending the same things to the same place. No one will sue you for harassment. Being snubbed out of hand is much worse than any suit could ever be, and editors circulate in the business. Meaning? You may send to a different publisher, but the acquisitions editor will remember you.
My advice is to make sure your manuscript is as good as it can be, find the right publisher for what you have written, and submit. What can you lose?
J.
http://www.jrichardjacobs.net
"The speed of the brain is inversely proportional to the speed of the mouth squared."
2007-09-13 00:12:45 · answer #4 · answered by orbitaldata 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You start by querying literary agents. This is done with a one page letter describing yourself and your book. Sometimes the agent will request you include the first few pages or chapters, but that is an individual preference.
There are several websites out there that will help you find an agent, my favorite is QueryTracker.net at http://www.querytracker.net/ . It is free and has a list of literary agents and also tools to help you keep track of who you already queried and who you haven't, plus more.
They do a good job of keeping the crooks off their lists, but it is still a good idea to double check at http://www.sfwa.org/beware/twentyworst.html.
There are a lot of crooks out there. Never pay anyone to read or publish your book. A real agent will never ask for money except as a percentage of your royalties.
Keep in mind that finding an agent and getting published is not an easy process. Some people have to query hundreds of agents before they find one who will accept them (sadly, some never get accepted), but be persistent and keep trying.
You should also visit http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums one of the largest forums for writers. They can be very helpful.
Good luck.
2007-09-16 23:30:39 · answer #5 · answered by Patrick M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people have mentioned agnets, and many publishers won't even look at your work without an agent. Also, while you will get rejected many times, the stories of people getting "551 rejections before my bestseller was published" often involve people sending their submissions to the wrong type of agent/editor. A little research can help. If you have written a textbook, don't send it to Ellora's cave, and if you have written porn, don't sent it to Prentice Hall. You will get rejections every time! Switch the publishers in the above example, and viola, you might find yourself published!
2007-09-13 11:17:32 · answer #6 · answered by bewerefan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like the person above me said ( ok edit that: the person above the person above me)yeah its good to get a agent.
I think you should start looking right now because not everyone is going to like it. (sadly but true), because I know that my favorite book of all times and no other book can top it was rejected a couple of times, and I am telling that was one of the best books ever (it was the people loss; the ones that didnt publish it) So I think you need to start looking for someone publishing company to publish it. If you want just tell them to wait to publish it until you are 17 but they have to give you their word that they are going to do it.
2007-09-13 00:13:57 · answer #7 · answered by mari 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's your best work, then go ahead and start submitting. I would recommend getting an agent first, who will be able to get you in touch with the good publishers. I'd leave out your age, though, if you want to give your novel a fighting chance. Pick up a new copy of the Writer's Market to see what agents are looking for the kind of books you write. Good luck!
P.S. If you decide to submit to publishers directly, then respect their decision to reject you and don't keep contacting them.
2007-09-13 00:07:31 · answer #8 · answered by YAWritergirl 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋