Hello All

**jplayne** · 11-04-2011, 04:43 AM

I have just completed my first novel, a young adult science fiction work and am trying to learn about what happens next in the writing phase. I need some help!!! There are so many things going through my head. Should I try to get an agent and how does that work? Should I contact publishers or should I try to self publish? Looking forward to learning and enjoying the forums.

Thanks

**candid petunia** · 11-04-2011, 08:27 AM

Hi JPlayne. After you settle around here, you could ask those questions in the Writing Discussion. Welcome to WF!

**Olly Buckle** · 11-04-2011, 08:49 AM

Well done, completing a book is no mean task. Remember that Publishers are, on the whole, just that. They are not marketers or publicity agents beyond the basic steps, there can still be a lot of work aheadof you to turn a book into a success. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

**Nickie** · 11-04-2011, 11:15 AM

Hi there JPlayne, and welcome to the forums. If you have already completed a novel, that's great. But next you need to polish it as best as you can. That means edits and re-edits. Also make sure there are no grammatical or spelling mistakes in your script. The next step would be to send of a query to either an agent or a publsher. When your novel stands out, they'll offer you a contract. And then you work with your own editor to do more edits to the manuscript...