In Reality... - Writers Forum

Verago · 06-27-2005, 11:48 AM

In reality, what do you think the likelihood would be that you could send in a MSS of your work to a big company like Scholastic, or Random House, or one of those, and be accepted?

I'm just curious, because I've heard nothing about any good, reputable publishing houses here having accepted anyone...All I've heard is about a bunch of vanity publishing companies, and a few real companies, that I've never even heard of, much less read a book published by.

I'm working on a book this summer, and it might be finished by late June or July. Of course I'll have to edit it, but that's not important right now...

I'd like to have it published when I finish, and I'd like to publish the rest of the series, also...

Or, what is the likelihood of sending a MSS to -any- publishing house and have your book on the shelves, in bookstores that people actually know about, with you making royalties?
Which ones accept new authors?
Which ones accept trilogies?
Which ones actually give you a chance at hitting it big?

I'm going to really need some help with this...

Thanks,
Ethanael.

MiloDaePesdan · 06-27-2005, 01:06 PM

If you're trying to hit the major publishers, very low. You'll definitely need an agent.

If you're looking for authors that accept sf/fantasy manuscripts without going through an agent, I can name two right off the bat. DAW and Baen--they're independent publishers, actually, not anything as big as Scholastic. (Big doesn't always mean better, though.

) Google their sites, they have guidelines for ms submissions--kinda helpful, 'cause then you'll know what they're looking for.

Verago · 06-27-2005, 01:28 PM

Thanks. I'll look into those...they look promising.
Do they get your book on the bookshelves, though? Like Waldenbooks or something like that?

MiloDaePesdan · 06-27-2005, 04:13 PM

*smile* Just check the sci-fi/fantasy shelves in the nearest bookstore. If you don't see the Baen logo in at least one book, I'll eat my shorts.

Wait, erase that. I'll eat my manuscript.

They're all over the place. I just bought a book off Baen.

Verago · 06-27-2005, 07:13 PM

Eh...I don't have a driver's liscense...I'm not exactly old enough to drive...or sign a legally binding contract.

I'll just take your word for it.

Also:
Can you use a publisher, and then, when another, bigger publisher offering wider publicity, more royalties...etc., show up, have both of them be publishing your book?
And if not, can you just cancel working with the other publisher?

MiloDaePesdan · 06-27-2005, 07:25 PM

*shakes head*Ooh, you drive a barfly nuts.

Taking someone's word sometimes ain't good enough. Do a little research. Don't take it till you get proof. *hint, Amazon.com*

Signing a contract's easy. Just scribble on the paper. *impish grin*

I don't have a license either.

I'm more familiar with Baen. (Going to try and put my manuscript through there later.) Here's a list of authors off the top of my head:

Eric Flint
Mike Z. Williamson
Mercedes Lackey & (husband) Larry Dixon
Ryk Spoor
Lois McMaster Bujold
David Weber
Dave Freer
Wen Spencer
Keith Laumer
John Ringo
David Drake
Julie Cochrane
James P. Hogan

There's tons more somewhere. Bah, I can't remember 'em all.

Verago · 06-27-2005, 07:27 PM

I'm just gonna take your word for it for now.
I've got to go to Tae Kwon Do in thirty minutes.
Remember that...
Tell the truth! I know [stereotypicalAsianMartialArtistVoice] TaeKwonDo![/stereotypicalAsianMartialArtistVoice]

mammamaia · 06-28-2005, 11:14 AM

ok, i see you're young, but you sound smart enough to handle correction when needed, so here goes:

Quote:

In reality, what do you think the likelihood would be that you could send in a MSS of your work to a big company like Scholastic, or Random House, or one of those, and be accepted?

...first of all, ONE manuscript is 'MS' [or 'ms']... the plural is 'MSS'...

...next, the likelihood is -zip-... because you first have to send a query letter ASKING is you can send the ms... and, only after they reply, telling you to send the ms or synopsis, chapter outline, and sample chapters [which is most likely], do you send any part of your ms...

...finally, even if you are invited to send your ms, the chances of having it accepted for publication are miniscule... your chances will improve depending on how good it is and how marketable the topic is...

Quote:

I'm just curious, because I've heard nothing about any good, reputable publishing houses here having accepted anyone...All I've heard is about a bunch of vanity publishing companies, and a few real companies, that I've never even heard of, much less read a book published by.

...that's because you're hanging out in places where most of the folks aren't professional quality writers [yet]... and, if they were, they wouldn't be hanging out with folks who aren't, would they?...

Quote:

I'm working on a book this summer, and it might be finished by late June or July. Of course I'll have to edit it, but that's not important right now...

I'd like to have it published when I finish, and I'd like to publish the rest of the series, also...

...you and [sorry to say] millions of others... so, yours has to be as good as or better than the stuff already on book store shelves, if it's to have any chance of hooking a publisher...

Quote:

Or, what is the likelihood of sending a MSS to -any- publishing house and have your book on the shelves, in bookstores that people actually know about, with you making royalties?

...slim, to none... but it still happens all the time... it's just not easy or quick...

Quote:

Which ones accept new authors?

...surprisingly, quite a few... to find out which, you can get a current copy of 'writer's market' or subscribe to their site and/or google for lists then check the listings for those that say unagented queries are accepted...

Quote:

Which ones accept trilogies?

...none... unless you're an established writer with a good sales track record... you can only submit one book ms at a time, and it must be able to stand on its own... no publisher will commit to more than one book with a new, unproven writer... they'll have to see the first one sell well, before even looking at sequels...

Quote:

Which ones actually give you a chance at hitting it big?

...'hitting it big' isn't a matter of some publishing house giving you a chance... that will depend ONLY on what it is you wrote, how well you wrote it, and how well it sells...

Quote:

Also:
Can you use a publisher, and then, when another, bigger publisher offering wider publicity, more royalties...etc., show up, have both of them be publishing your book?

...absolutely NOT!... that's what contracts are for... only when your contract with the first publisher has run out or is voluntarily nullifed, can you go to another publisher... in VERY RARE cases, a bigger press will buy out the contract of a writer with a small indie one, if the book is a smash hit...

Quote:

And if not, can you just cancel working with the other publisher?

...only if there is a cancellation clause and the publisher agrees to it...

...hope this answers all your questions well enough... for more info, pick up a copy of 'writer's market'... there's lots of info on the basics of the industry scattered throughout the annual editions... love and hugs, maia

Verago · 06-28-2005, 11:54 AM

Wow...thanks for the help, Mammamaia.
I was wondering about the 'MSS' or 'MS' thing, but I wasn't sure...Thanks for clearing that up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammamaia

...hope this answers all your questions well enough...

Indeed...That answered everything I never knew I wanted to know about getting published. Not sure if that makes any sense.

Thanks a <insert ridiculously large number>.
Ethanael

mammamaia · 06-28-2005, 11:58 AM

"Thanks a <insert ridiculously large number>."

the french handle that quite well [as they do most things], with the phrase, "merci infiniment"...

it means, 'thanks infinitely' and is a standard...

anyway, you're welcome, infinitely!

Verago · 06-28-2005, 12:12 PM

It seems everyday I learn a new word just from coming to WF.

"Merci infiniment." I'm going to use that today, somehow.

Gratiam tibi Mammamaia, plus quam infinitum.

Ethanael

mammamaia · 06-28-2005, 12:17 PM

better watch that latin, kiddo!

[my shins are fine, thanks

]

Verago · 06-28-2005, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammamaia

[my shins are fine, thanks

]

Shins? Like...the shins that Muay Thai fighters ram into bamboo?
I'm confused...
*Checks Latin dictionaries...*
*Becomes even more confused...*

I hope I didn't swear at you or attempt to but a hex on you or something...
I admit, I'm a newb Latin-user...

mammamaia · 06-28-2005, 12:28 PM

just playin' withya... 'tibia' is the official name for a shinbone... thus, 'tibi' ['to you' in latin] could be mistaken for the plural of the latin word for 'shin bones'...

Verago · 06-28-2005, 12:39 PM

O_o
X_x

Sorry, but I don't know how to say, "I feel stupid." in Latin. But I can say it in English! Check this out...
'I feel stupid.'

Lol.
Ethanael.