getting published - Writers Forum

butterflie · 05-22-2005, 07:24 PM

this forum's so empty....

So how do you actually go about getting published? I mean, what does the process usually require? I've always wondered about that, and since I'd like to get published someday, I'm curious as how to it works :D

fillerlady · 05-22-2005, 07:58 PM

I always tell writers who are starting out to go to www.google.com type in paying markets and then click the search button. You'll find a slew of markets to help you get started. A few other pointers are:

l. Read copies of the publication you wanted to get published in so you'll know what they need and what their focus is.

2. Always follow their writer's guidelines.

3. And be very aware of correct spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Sure hope the above helps.

Warm regards, Susie

butterflie · 05-22-2005, 09:08 PM

definitely helps, because I was typing in "publishing" in google and coming up with non-helpful things. Thanks!

Nickie · 05-23-2005, 04:51 AM

The way to getting published may be hard and hazardous. Some people make it straight away, others need a couple of years...

To start with, make sure you have a good product. Your manuscript should be without faults. It can help to have it read by a couple of people who know about style, spelling, etc. You can also have your family read it, but you can imagine they will be not quite honest.

Then I'd suggest you start quering for an agent. There is a helpful site, called Editors and Preditors, where every agent is listed. They tell you if they're good or bad.
You can also do a search according to the genre of novel you're writing.

How to query? Prepare a one page letter that will draw the agent's attention. You have to start with a hook. That is something from the novel that guarantees attention.
Don't tell the entire content of your novel. That is not necessary. One paragraph about you is also sufficient. Tell them what your goal is (do you intend to write more novels?). Do you have publishing credits (anything by your name that is printed)?

You can easily send out a couple of letters at the same time.

Then wait for an answer. If you're lucky, one or more agents will respond, and they'll ask for a partial. That is the first three chapters of your novel + your bio + a two-page synopsis.
Sometimes the agents prefer that you send this by email.

When the agent likes what he/she sees, they'll ask for a full. You then have to send them the entire manuscript by post. Preferably not by UPS or such. Ordinary post will do. Don't forget to mention on the envelope that this is required material.

And then... pray that they'll want to represent you. If they offer you a contract, make sure you understand it completely before signing. You can always ask advice.

The agent will then shop around your manuscript. When they sign you on, they are pretty confident that they'll be able to sell your book, so you just have to be patient. Sometimes more than one publisher gets interested, and then you're lucky, because they'll start bidding against each other. I know an author who gained a contract this way, with an advance of 100,000 $

Of course, there are other ways into publishing, but this is definitely the best one.

Nickie

Lord Raiden · 05-23-2005, 01:17 PM

I'll agree with what Nickie said. I did my first one on my own, but let me tell you this much, if I had it to do over again, I'd do it by agent. It's way more work to do it by yourself. Actually, I may consider going to an agent anyways depending on what happens with my current publisher. Just because others succeeded without one isn't always a sign that you'll make it without one. I will say this much though, if you really want to gain a lot from trying to get published, do it on your own at first. Trust me, just the preparation you go through teaches you a LOT about the market, what's expected, etc. It's much harder and takes longer, but the tradeoff in what you learn from it is quite well worth it.

Nickie · 05-23-2005, 04:44 PM

Quite right. I did it myself at first too - I'm still doing it.

I do know how to do my own marketing by now, and I'm scoring the results with my third book. I had it self-pulbished, at my own expense, and am now marketing it. I arranged a deal with a major bookseller, got myself articles in three national newspapers and more local ones, have my book on the list for the public libraries, etc.

But at the same time, I'm trying to find an agent. I still want to write for the English-speaking market, and I've come to understand that I need some help there. America is just too far away to do everything myself!

I queried five agents some time ago. Three answered. One wanted to see a partial. The same agent then asked for a full. I'm now waiting for her response...

Nickie

Harlequin · 05-23-2005, 05:31 PM

www.agentquery.com

I haven't found an agent yet, namely because I haven't finished anything yet, but it seems useful.

Lord Raiden · 05-23-2005, 05:53 PM

lol. Keep trucking Harlequin. You'll get there eventually. I've actually got 15 finished novels and over 2 dozen in various states of being done. The only reason I've got so many is I used to do writing as a fun hobby not really expecting to ever get them published, then my family and friends, after reading a few, talked me into getting them published and now I am in the processes of getting my first one published. Still waiting on the publisher to get back to me about what I still need to do, if anything.

butterflie · 05-23-2005, 09:02 PM

oh wow, these are all so helpful, because I had absolutely no idea what publishing required at all. It'll probably be at least a year and a half before I even think about trying for publishing, but I like knowing ahead of time what the process will entail so I can try to do everything right with the story in the meantime!

Verago · 06-26-2005, 11:27 AM

If you're already thinking about being published, you're halfway there. Good luck!

Derek_Brown · 07-01-2005, 03:40 AM

Thanks Nickie, I'll try your method, who can say? Would it be obnoxious of me to post my query letter here for review before shuffling it off?

One other question, something I've been coming across a lot is a request for a bio. I'm not sure what specifically this is looking for. My height, weight, birthplace, etc? Or just a general rundown of my likes/dislikes and projected future endeavors? Color me baffled.

Arigato!
Derek

mammamaia · 07-01-2005, 10:25 AM

it depends on who's requesting it... let me know who/what it is, and i'll give you some idea of what should be included [and not]...

Derek_Brown · 07-01-2005, 10:31 AM

Cool, thanks again! The one I'm looking at can be found at http://www.artistsandartisans.com/ I looked them up on the E&P site that Nickie suggested.

mammamaia · 07-01-2005, 10:57 AM

being very new at it, this guy's pretty damp behind the ears yet, but that doesn't mean he can't sell your work... just check him out carefully before signing on the dotted line...

the 'bio' he's asking for is so he can tell what kind of writing experience you've had and what you're capable of, etc. ... so, just provide age [if you're a minor, you won't be able to sign a contract]; a bit about what kind of writing you've done and sold; what you do for a living; what you're an expert on, if anything relevant to your book; and suchlike...

Derek_Brown · 07-01-2005, 09:18 PM

Thank you for the info. P&E gave him a recommendation, is it possible that the site is corrupt? By this I mean, is it possible that agents are there recommending themselves?