Tips on getting a book deal - Writers Forum

writersblock14 · 10-30-2004, 09:38 AM

I'm 14 years old, is that something that publishers look at? Your age? And how do yodu go about finding publishers? I've begun to write a story that I would really like to get published.

daniela · 10-30-2004, 10:20 AM

It is possible for young adults to get published, difficult but possible. To find a publisher go to your local library and pick up the 2005 edition of Writer's Market (if they do not have that one, the 2004 will do). In it, there is a comprehensive list of publishers and their guidelines for submissions. Unfortunately, some require you to contact them through an agent but there are others that will accept unsolicited submissions and queries from unknowns.

First, take as long as you want to write your book. You are young and there is no hurry to be published. Second, while you are working on that book I advise you to write some short stories and submit them to magazines. Start with the publications that exclusively print young people and branch out from there. Third, above all else remember to have fun.

--DM--

PS: When contacting editors, let your work stand on its own and do not play on the age angle. Do not lie about how old you are; just do not announce it in the cover or query letter. This is unfair, but saying that you are 14 may get you ignored rather than noticed (except for those magazines that only publish writers in your age group). Good luck and welcome to the forums!

Rajie · 10-30-2004, 09:26 PM

Getting a fictional novel published is difficult no matter what age you are (well unless you're a bestseller already

) Although some agents might find your age a good selling point if you are writing something age appropriate.

bobgelinas · 10-31-2004, 09:21 AM

Dear WB14,

Writing is a performance art, whereby you are ultimately judged on your performance. With that said, it is also true that over 99% of what is written never makes it into print. Compare that with the fact that 3% of actors in Hollywood are working at any point in time. Therefore it's three times easier to make it as an actor in Hollywood than it is to get a book published.

While those figures may be discouraging, from my perspective there are two significant reasons why this is so:

1. 80% of what's written isn't of professional quality. (I said that politely, didn't I?)

2. Of the 20% of writing that is professional quality, only that 1% who make it take the time to learn anything at all about how to market their work. The rest view themselves as "artists" awaiting the publishing industry to magically recognize their gifts and reward them accordingly.

The truth of the matter is, publishers are manufaturers of consumer products, not art societies. They sell those products into retail markets that are well-defined and play by very well-understood and established business principles. Convicing a publisher that you have a product that would be an asset to their business is key to getting your manuscript sold.

I invite you to take a moment to visit my publishing house's website at www.archebooks.com, and go to the Author's Corner of writing resources, where you can download for free an article entitled, "The Art of the Book Proposal." If indeed your goal is to become professionally published, then what's in that article is potentially more importnat to know that how to write the stories themselves.

Good Luck, and Keep At It! Persistence is a virtue.

Best,

Rob · 10-31-2004, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobgelinas

I invite you to take a moment to visit my publishing house's website at www.archebooks.com, and go to the Author's Corner of writing resources, where you can download for free an article entitled, "The Art of the Book Proposal."

Note that clicking the link provided fails because it includes a comma at the end. Instead, follow the link in Bob's signature.

Omni

demonic_harmonic · 11-12-2004, 03:14 PM

Before you send anything out to a publisher,make sure to get a literary agent first. This will make things a great deal easier.

Dexnell · 11-12-2004, 04:00 PM

I'm also very young. i'm 15.
Writersblock14 maybe you should email me we can work together. dexnell [AT] yahoo.com

I know the difficulties. I'm into poetry by the way.
I'm simply getting myself printed in anothologies and entering competitions. Just basically getting my name out there before I board a publisher.

And when I go to apply I'm boldfacedly boasting about my age. I believe it's a huge selling point sort of a young genius.

I believe there's a publisher for everybody

-Dexnell

mammamaia · 11-13-2004, 10:18 AM

to all young writers:

generally, no one knows [or cares] how old you are, when you're trying to sell your writing... age is not part of the required info... the only qualification is writing that is good enough to vie with [or best]the competition...

the only exception is magazines that feature writing by youngsters, where you are expected to include your age... for all the rest, if you write like a 30-yr-old, agents and publishers will assume you are one...

your age will only matter when it comes time to sign a contract, and your parents have to step up to the plate to make it legal!

so, write on, and stop worrying about how old/young you are, ok?

love and hugs, maia

ps: some of my most talented writing mentees have been 15 and under!

Dexnell · 11-13-2004, 01:13 PM

Cool!
Lovely advice. I don't really write to get published anymore, it brings out the worst of you. Write for the love of it. Your best writing will progress.

Whenever I feel i'm ready I'll send up a manuscript, for now I'll start with magazines etc.

desired_destiny · 11-13-2004, 09:45 PM

As said before, age really doesn't matter when it comes to becoming published. The girl in France, Flavia ____ (I don't remember her last name) was published at 13/14. God, I have a horrible memory.

I, myself am 13 and really don't have an urge to be published as so many people do. Like Dexnell, I've been writing for anthologies and such.

I believe there are a few topics about being published in the Writers Resources section. They seem very helpful.

Takvah · 11-15-2004, 09:16 AM

What I would be curious to know is whether or not publishers frown on your work having been posted on sites like this. I had a magazine (lil independent nothing of a thing) ask me if I'd posted the work I was submitting anywhere else... I said yes on my personal website that friends visit. They actually told me they considered that published and they only were interested in posting work that hadn't been "published". I would hate to pour my heart into something, ask for feedback here and get burned like this. It is the one reason I have not posted any of my work here.

Any thoughts on this Bob?

mammamaia · 11-15-2004, 11:28 AM

takvah...
that's why it's best to seek feedback on just small excerpts online, and send the entire piece by email only to those you feel are qualified to give good advice... that way, your work can't be considered 'previously published'...

Dexnell · 11-18-2004, 07:33 PM

Why?
The purpose of these communities are to help one another. if a magazine doesn't wanna take it so what.

Though some of the major ones may have rules that way.

Dexnell · 11-18-2004, 07:34 PM

Why?
The purpose of these communities are to help one another. if a magazine doesn't wanna take it so what.

Though some of the major ones may have rules that way.

mammamaia · 11-19-2004, 11:02 AM

why?

because a lot of the folks who frequent forums want to SELL their work...

and if you want to sell your work, it only makes sense to maximize your chances to do so...

and, if posting your entire 'for sale' piece will keeep you from submitting to a large percentage of the publishing venues, it only makes sense not to post it, right?