Thread: How realistic are my hopes for getting published

Screw writing! Why don't put together a crew and knock over a bank.

Chapter One-The Nitwit Heist

It was a cold morning when the ragtag troop known as "The Nitwits" set out to commit the crime of the century. Among this nefarious gang of bandits were Apple, Garza, Like a Fox, Preston and the sarcastic getaway driver was Backward Ox.

Four times that morning Apple almost shot Ox in the knee cap after he continually corrected her English. "Why the hell didn't we leave this old fart back in the bush and ask Baron to join the gang," she complained.

"Because, Baron is a lefty and no one wants a lefty at a heist. Besides lefty's can't drive anything faster than a bicycle," Garza explained.

"Ah Garza"

"Yes Ox?"

"It's actually Lefties."

"Okay Apple knee cap him! Annoying Pisser."

Apple raised the barrel of her 9 mm Glock when Like a Fox stepped in. "Hold it love, don't be shooting my man."

to be continued.....

I would absolutely not read a YA book on my phone, but I think you'd be surprised at the number of YA readers who are aware that you can. There are plenty of apps out there for doing so.

Not so much for self-pubbed e-authors using that as their common/only channel of distribution, though.

Originally Posted by Under The Cover

Is it a waste of time to try?

Not at all. I think it's definitely something for more marketing-savvy authors to take a look at.

But promoting your book, online or otherwise, is as much of a job or more than writing it. It's important to keep the relaities in mind.

I've run blogs, talked to people who run blogs, and watched the progress of many blogs(yes, we're talking more traditional websites, but the experience is similar). Getting yourself out there is tough.

Originally Posted by Arman_Khodaei

In regards to what Loulou said, knowing someone that knows someone can end up being a lot easier than it looks these days with social networking and everything. And, she is right. If you know someone that person can put you in contact with their agent. My suggestion is to make a list of your favorite writers start writing reviews on blogs and also make YouTube reviews. Friend them on Facebook if possible and show them the reviews they made. Send them a short message telling how you appreciate your writing and are also writing something in a similar and ask if they will look at the first five pages or first chapter. If the writer likes your writing then perhaps they will put you in contact with their agent.

I am hoping this is true! I have a friend who after a few years of doing fairly well at self publishing decided to try and get signed up with a big publisher. She has just been signed up at Gollancz (Orion books) and is doing great. Seems a bit cheeky but maybe one day that will help!

Originally Posted by Under The Cover

How many YA readers would read an eBook on their phone? How many YA readers even know they can read an eBook on their phone? How's that for a topic on a blog. "Did you know you can read my eBook on your phone?" "Download here."

Your thoughts....

Originally Posted by Ilasir Maroa

I would absolutely not read a YA book on my phone, but I think you'd be surprised at the number of YA readers who are aware that you can.

Whatever happened to the idea of curling up in a comfy chair on the veranda or in front of the fire, depending on the season, with a good book?

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

Whatever happened to the idea of curling up in a comfy chair on the veranda or in front of the fire, depending on the season, with a good book?

For me this comment conjures up a childhood image of laying sprawled out on the living room floor pouring over the art and words on a record sleeve while the LP of my latest musical acquisition belts out some rock n roll (maybe Bob Seger or George Thoroughgood) from our solid wood cabinet phonograph stereo.

Google that yuh lazy kids.

Times are a changing OX.

Gotta start somewhere, right? One of my favorite authors is a full time attorney yet has written several best sellers and I believe he got his first book published in his mid to late 30's. Can't you self publish on Kindle? Istill want to put a resume together. I checked out this resume service but I want to check out a couple others to compare.

Originally Posted by Wonderwall

I'm a 27 year old guy whose always wanted to write. Life took me away from that though, and I've just made the decision that, if this is what I want, I'd better get to it. I'm halfway through writing a YA novel that I think is shaping up wonderfully. My question is, with a resume that is completely bare (literally I've done nothing) and no degrees to speak of, am I being silly to think I'll get someone to publish it ?

Never give up, never surrender!

You don't need a resume or degrees or awards in a cupboard - all you need is a good story well written and the determination to keep pushing! Yes, you'll get rejections and yes, they will suck. But it's NOT personal - your novel simply wasn't write for that publisher at that time.

Having a blog and being on Twitter helps raise your profile. You'll build relationships with fellow writers and the occasional agent/publisher. Chat regularly (note I say chat and NOT sell), retweet sparingly, feedback and give back. There are lots of Twitter communities - #amwriting, #sixsunday, #Fridayflash - to get involved in. Post to your blog and tweet the link. Build a following, build relationships, but more than anything KEEP WRITING.

You can do it!

That's a great reply Loulou, just about sums it all up nicely!

Originally Posted by Misa Buckley

Never give up, never surrender!

You don't need a resume or degrees or awards in a cupboard - all you need is a good story well written and the determination to keep pushing! Yes, you'll get rejections and yes, they will suck. But it's NOT personal - your novel simply wasn't write for that publisher at that time.

Having a blog and being on Twitter helps raise your profile. You'll build relationships with fellow writers and the occasional agent/publisher. Chat regularly (note I say chat and NOT sell), retweet sparingly, feedback and give back. There are lots of Twitter communities - #amwriting, #sixsunday, #Fridayflash - to get involved in. Post to your blog and tweet the link. Build a following, build relationships, but more than anything KEEP WRITING.

You can do it!

I know I am rather late, but I couldn't agree with you more! Hundreds of thousands of books are published each year, so I don't think it is a "huge stretch" to want be one of those thousands. You don't even have to have a well-written stories these days to get published, just one that holds a publisher's interest.

Originally Posted by Wonderwall

I'm a 27 year old guy whose always wanted to write. Life took me away from that though, and I've just made the decision that, if this is what I want, I'd better get to it. I'm halfway through writing a YA novel that I think is shaping up wonderfully. My question is, with a resume that is completely bare (literally I've done nothing) and no degrees to speak of, am I being silly to think I'll get someone to publish it ?

i'm a former dopehead, high school drop out with a GED. i've been published and accepted for publication 4 times. if i can do it....who can't?

I have this faith, and it is unshakable and will last until the day I die, that anyone who can write a good novel and continues to write good novels will be successful. Their stuff will float to the top. These days, the environment for that happening is even more welcoming than it has ever been.

I review books. I review one piece of crap popular author after the next. I try and try to find a novel worth reading and giving a good review to, and I can't do it. I would so much rather review indi authors. But you know what? Their work sucks so much worse than the crap the poplular writers write that I can't bring myself to review their work--I can't even finish reading it. I have to struggle to finish reading the popular authors, too, but the self-published authors are almost always so grotesquely bad at the art and craft of fiction that it's impossible. And I mean, the popular authors are only readable because they at least know the basics of English composition (or their editors do).

I may not write any better, myself, but that's beside the point. Nevertheless, as a reader and reviewer I know what makes a story good. I know what makes a novel good. Write a good novel, and wether you self-pub or get grotesquely ripped off by a big six publisher, eventually, you will rise. It's just like a good song--it's going to get noticed.

Now, I have to go back to work on my review video for The Innocent, by David Baldacci. ...Oh, God...

Originally Posted by dale

i'm a former dopehead, high school drop out with a GED. i've been published and accepted for publication 4 times. if i can do it....who can't?

Oh really? Where's your book? You don't have a homepage listed in your profile, there's no mention of your titles. Don't know your name. How's anyone supposed to read your books? Maybe you're one of those indi authors who will break the mold and give me something really worth reading.

Still, you're right: Anyone can be published today. There are many small publishers out there who will provide cover art and create a Kindle Book, offer no advance, do no marketing, no editing, require that you gaurantee so many sales of the book (even if you buy them yourself) but you will be published. No one will read the book, and you would have been better off self-publishing, but you will be published.

Originally Posted by Edward G

Oh really? Where's your book? You don't have a homepage listed in your profile, there's no mention of your titles. Don't know your name. How's anyone supposed to read your books? Maybe you're one of those indi authors who will break the mold and give me something really worth reading.

Still, you're right: Anyone can be published today. There are many small publishers out there who will provide cover art and create a Kindle Book, offer no advance, do no marketing, no editing, require that you gaurantee so many sales of the book (even if you buy them yourself) but you will be published. No one will read the book, and you would have been better off self-publishing, but you will be published.

working on my 1st novel. all i've had published and accepted for publication are short stories. i think the only way
a degree really matters in the publishing world is if you're writing certain types of non-fiction.

Originally Posted by JosephB

The easiest way to get published is to become a celebrity and have a child. This immediately qualifies you as children's book author. If don't want to actually have a baby -- no problem -- between movies or albums, just swing by a third-world country and pick one up. Be sure to include some message about equality and everyone getting along -- and the publishers will be clamoring for your work. It's just that simple.

This made me laugh. But I'm crying on the inside because it is undeniably true. It's infuriating. Freakin' Snooki gets to 'write' a book and gets published, and I'm left wallowing in the muck and mire of literary obscurity.