Publishing, I need a lot of help here!!~?

Question

I am a minor but I have this book that I need to get published, not in cricket or lulu or whatever I need to get the publishing thing set up RIGHT AWAY!! I write big books like 10 and more chapters that are more then four pages long.
Important marks
-It has to be free but not self publishing, i get money for the book
-they have to publish minors
-NO scams
-it is a novel actio/adventure with a drop or two of romance
_Its the first book of a series so if I could get a contract or something for a couple books I'd be really happy
Please dont tell me to check some place out unless it is a site with free pusblishers who publish minors dont tell me to check out my library or anything like that I live in pennsylvania and I'm 13 going on 14 in January
Thanks~~

Answer 1

My dear child. I am glad to see that you write important books. However nothing in publishing happens fast. Right away isn't going to happen so get used to it. I ghost write for a major sports star. I have written four children's books for him. I finished the first one two or three months ago. The publishing date with a TOP TWO publisher worldwide is next July. How is that for right away? And trust me, if a sports star can't publish a book right away, an inexperienced 13 year old with a bad attitude can't either.

I would like to make several points.

1) Even traditional publishing is not free. You do have to pay for an editor and you are a fool if you don't because an editor can triple your chances of getting published at least.

2) NO PUBLISHER is going to give any new author - 13 years old or 133 years old a contract for a series of books. If you first book tanks and ends up in bargain bins, you expect them to pay you for MORE books? Why on earth would they?

You know dear, there once was a time when there was no YA and people actually had to do their own research and figure these thihngs out for themselves. Gone with the Wind was rejected FIFTY times. And Ms. Mitchell had no YA to help her.

As for the publishing minors part, that is possible, but only with your parents signing as your legal guardians and putting together some kind of a trust for your royalties.

In traditional publishing, you get TEN PERCENT of the cover price of the book. If the publisher makes a deal with Costco or any of the other discounters you get even less. If your books end up in the bargain bins, you get ZERO.

You need a copy of Writers Market. If you don't wish to go into a library, buy one for 30 dollars. Then don't use it as a paperweight on your desk. READ it cover to cover. You have a lot to learn. Last time I checked, Pennsylvania did have libraries.

You will not be able to get through to the A List Publishers. They do not accept unsolicited queries. They deal only with A List Agents. You may want to try to get yourself an agent or you may want to try for a smaller publisher. Agents do not charge you a fee to represent you, but they do get 15% of your royalties and they are legally permitted to charge you for mailing, copying of a manuscript, long distance calls, etc. You pay those fees.

As for scams, there are several websites online that tell you a background check on the publisher or agent. Preditors and Editors is one. Absolute Write Water Cooler Bewares and Background Checks is another.

The length of your books cracks me up. First of all, professional authors always refer to the length in number of words. Let's see - 10 chapters, 4 pages each. About 40 pages long. That isn't a book, it's a pamphlet.

First and foremost, you need a serious attitude adjustment. Nobody in this business is going to knock your door down for a 40 page action/adventure book with a drop of romance in it.

Ask Stephen King. He got so frustrated over Carrie, he threw it away and his wife rescued it from the trash. Ask James Patterson who I believe was rejected something like 70 times. When you are in Mr. King or Mr. Patterson's league, perhaps you can say "Right away", but for now you are in Lala Land.

That isn't the way anything works in this world, my friend. Nobody comes looking for you. You have to get off your tail and start advocating for yourself. What makes you think anyone here can do this for you when you can't do it for yourself?

I am mentoring two kids I met here. They are both sensational authors and they have a published book in their futures. They also have wonderful attitudes and are willing to learn.


----
They're, Their, There - Three Different Words.

Careful or you may wind up in my next novel.

Pax - C

Answer 2

Kid, you haven't got a clue and are living in a fantasy world. No one publishes material free from some novice writer and then gives you money. Are you kidding? Rhetorical. Legitimate publishing (not by some cheesy on line sites) is almost impossible to get into. And they DON'T deal with minors! Legitimate publishers (the ones who pay YOU based upon the sales of your work or the potential therein) receive literally hundreds of thousands of manuscripts every year and return all but a handful. And novice writers such as yourself don't have a prayer of getting some series published or a contract for other books. The publishing world is very tough and most publishers don't even accept unsolicited manuscripts. New writers are up against a wall insomuch as they are competing with proven writers who have agents. You say you have a book you need to get published. Kid, the world of legitimate publisihing couldn't care less! The only reason they would publish a book is if they feel it would make them money and if there is a market for it. And, your manuscript must be letter perfect with correct margins, and on corret weight paper, and correct font, etc. Again, most publshers deal ONLY through agents and at your age, you can just forget about that. You have a lot to learn about writing, publishing, etc., and a lot of growing up to do. Believe me, you are no more ready to have a book published than you are ready to fly to the moon! You sound like you are playing around and believe me, you had better take some writing classes, and read everything you can get your hands on BEFORE you decide that what YOU have to say is so impotant. It isn't, trust me.

Answer 3

I don't know what their view is on minors, but you should check out Chicken House Publishers. They are a publishing company that publishes children's/young adult books written by new authors with new ideas.
They are the publishing company that gave J.K. Rowling a chance when no one else would.
The website is http://www.doublecluck.com/.
That being said, it might be best to wait until you are at least 18 to try and get published; you won't have to deal with anything special about being a minor after you turn 18 and while you are waiting you can keep writing, gaining more experience and building on what you have learned so far.
You could also write short stories for your school or local news papers while you wait.
What ever you decide to do be prepared for rejection, nothing happens over night in the publishing world, you could be at this for years before anything takes off.
Good luck with your book.

Answer 4

Basically I've got to agree with the guy who called you kid, but here are two books you ought to look at. 1. Writer's Market (the newest edition.) 2. How to be Your Own Literary Agent. Together they'll tell you what you need to know about the publishing industry. By the way, if you are going to publish, you need to use "proper" spelling, grammar and punctuation (including apostrophes.) Minors can get published, but it's even harder for them. You'll need a parent to co-sign your contracts at the very least.

Answer 5

You sound desperate. Is it for money or something else? You'll need to find another way to solve your problem(s) than being the next JK Rowlings. Hopefully, one day you will be a published author but it won't be until you've lived your years over again.

Answer 6

i dont know of anything that is free. sorry. but you could check out this site, an author tells what she had to do to get her book published. maybe you could follow her example. (just know, that no matter what, that it will take time...)
http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight_faq.html#published

Answer 7

There are no publishers who fit the requirements you need - especially the free and fast. You can get fast (www.48hrbooks.com), but it is not free. You can get free, maybe, but publishing is highly competitive and your chances are slim and traditional publishing is sllllooooow.

What you want - it doesn't exist.

Answer 8

What?! No scams? There goes my suggestion.