Publisher in the U.S. - WritingForums.com - Writing Forums, Writing Challenges, Critiques and Help for Writers

Whende · 10-24-2005, 08:31 PM

Little me, here to ask a stupid question. I don't actually plan to publish until I'm sixteen because it would work better that way, but I decided get a head start on looking for a publisher.

My problem is that I can't find one that will publish in the U.S. I've been looking in the cover of books all over the place. Most of them appear to be in the U.N.

The only places I can find that are actually in the U.S. only accept known author's work, or they require a fee. I'm twelve years old!! I can't afford a fee!!

Sorry, I got a little carried away there. Any way, if any one knows of a company that I might look into, that would be much appreciated.

mammamaia · 10-25-2005, 09:19 AM

first, you should never pay a fee to be published!... not unless all you want is a book with your stuff in it to show to friends and family, and if you can afford what it will cost... any publishers that ask for a single penny, are not traditional publishers... they're what is called 'vanity-publishers'... and that's how they're judged in the 'real' publishing world... you won't be considered to be 'published' if you aren't paid for your work, and not the other way around...

second, even 16 is too young to be able to sign a contract, so your parents will have to do the negotiating and sign for you, till you're legally of age...

next, i don't know what kind of books you've been looking in, but the us is chock full of publishers and many of them do take the work of new and unknown writers... the best way to hook one is by having an agent shop your work around for you, but many are open to unagented queries...

to get an agent, or to interest a publisher, you have to have something that they think will sell well enough to make them money... this means you have to have written a book that is as good or better than what's out there, and you have to submit a manuscript that is well-written, properly formatted, and error-free...

imo, twelve is way too early to be thinking of publishers... you should instead concentrate on bringing your writing skills up to a professional level, so that when you are ready, your chances of succeeding will be optimal, not minimal... make sense?... besides, who knows which publishers will still be in business a few years down the road?...

get yourself a copy of 'writers market' and you'll see what the field looks like... it will also give you lots of practical tips on how to find and hook an agent and a publisher, when the time comes... there's an online version for about $3 /month, if your allowance can handle it...

love and hugs, maia

ps: no question is a 'stupid' one, if you don't know the answer...

Crazy_dude6662 · 10-25-2005, 09:25 AM

you should get the writers handbook 06 if you can, it has a list of english,irish and american publishers and agents

Whende · 10-28-2005, 06:08 PM

I don't get an allowance. Thanks maia.

Mike C · 10-30-2005, 03:39 PM

Maia's advice is good. Read a lot, and write more. You have 4 years before you're 16, that's a lot of writing - a lot of time to become proficient!