How does one publish a book?

Question

I'm writing a book, but I don't know how to publish it. Please help!

Answer 1

Why does this question get asked 394875893475 times per day? Does anyone know how to use the Search function anymore?

Answer 2

Spend 30 dollars and purchase a copy of Writers Market 2008. Then start to read it. You need to learn to advocate for yourself. Publishing a book is a long and arduous task. It can take years and there will be a lot of heartache and rejection along they way. The first thing you have to decide if you are tough enough to handle it. Forget self publishing - it is a black hole . Learn to publish traditionally.

The first step is understanding that no matter how hard you try, you cannot get through to Major A List publishers without a Major A List Agent. You can query agents, and you can query smaller publishing houses, but the top 10 do not accept unsolicited submissions. Many Top 10 agents only accept queries based on recommendations from other clients. Yes, a lot of it is who you know.

Once you have found some publishers accepting queries in your genre, you hae to start checking them out. Preditors and Editors and Absolute Write Water Cooler Bewares and Background Checks are good places to start. So are Writers Wall, Writers Weekly, Writer Beware and Anne Crispin's site. It there are problems with the publisher or agent, the information will show up. Then avoid them like the plague.

Then you must submit to them in the exact format they request - NO deviations. If they ask for a query letter and a synopsis - that is all you send. In a professional envelope, no cutesy stamps, no little gifts inside like lollipops or anything else. Be completely professional. Writers Market has sample letters in it. Nicholas Sparks has also very kindly included a sample letter on his website. Do not send manuscripts. Queries not properly submitted end up in the slush pile for form rejection letters.

Of a publisher is interested, they will request a full or partial manuscript and a book proposal. You will need to buy a book and learn how to write a proposal. It is the most important document you will ever write. It is the selling tool for your book. Write a great one. Your book should be finished AND edited professionally when they ask for the manuscript. Do not keep them waiting. They will not.

Expect many rejections. Learn how to handle it. Develop a thick hide. Gone With the Wind got rejected 50 times. I think Stephen King got so mad he threw Carrie away and his wife pulled it out of the trash. That is the nature of the game.Expect to give up a great deal of your free time pushing your book. Expect friends and family to feel alienated and angry at you. That will happen.

You will find I star great Q and A on publishing and writing on my profile. Print out a bunch that apply to you and study them. You have a lot to learn and many kind people post great information here. Watch out for the thumbs down ones. If you have questions about something you read, drop me a note. Pax- C

Answer 3

There are books in your public library that take you through the submission process step by step. You will learn from them the details of standard manuscript format; where your name and title should appear on the first and subsequent pages; how pages should be numbered; required font; script length...etc. There is too much to cover here, I'm sorry. Try to find a current copy of Writer's Market by Writer's Digest Books (available at your library). It lists all book publishers and their requirements. Some just do not accept unsolicited manuscripts for consideration, you see. Much of the information you'll need is in Writer's Market. Some of what you'll need is not. Start there, though, and you can't go wrong. Other books for evolving writers can be found in the same section of the library, so don't forget to check them as well. I wish you the very best.

Answer 4

I'm trying 2 get a book published 2 there is a lot of internet sites on it. But you have 2 pay $1000 up front. I'll get back to u on it.

Answer 5

I would recommend reading "Putting Your Passion into Print" by Arielle Ekstut and David Henry Sterry. It's a well-written, easy-to-read, and realistic guide on how to get your book published.

Answer 6

It all depends what you want to do with your book. Are you looking to just get your name "out there"? Do you want publicity & promotion? How much do you want to spend.
I spent $50.00 to get my book of poems published. No publicity included. It may take $1000s for a nice one with publicity. The range depends on what you want done.

Answer 7

.Finish the book first, and in the meantime educate yourself on the business of writing--there's lots of books about it.

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