The Publishing Basics (questions) - Writers Forum

Gauda · 10-31-2005, 01:51 PM

I'm surprised nobody has posted anything about this yet. I, like you all, am an aspiring writer, and I do want to get published one day. Since I'm in the process of writing a novel (about a quarter through), I'm probably going to wrap it up by the end of this summer when I turn 17. And when that hits, I want to send it out for publication. I have a few cliched questions, but someone needs to ask them at one point or another

1) How does the whole process work? To be more specific, do I send in my rough copy or a typed copy? How am I even going to find a publisher in the first place?

2) How long does it take to get published? For example, if I find a company that agrees to publish me about how long will it take to get my book back?

3) Will the book be sold in stores if it gets published? Most likely I will give a copy to my family and friends, but I do want to share it with others, too. How will I self-market myself if I don't have an agent?

4) I am currently 16. Do publishers ask for your age when you send in a piece of work? I think you have to have parental consent to get something published...am I correct? How does this work?

5) Lastly, where do I start looking for publishers?

semtecks · 10-31-2005, 03:23 PM

Hmm, I don't know much about publishing but i know that you need a few published short stories under your belt before an agent will take you seriously. The agent will then try to sell your novel for you and will take a generous cut out of what the publisher pays for your novel.

mammamaia · 11-01-2005, 10:09 AM

1) How does the whole process work? To be more specific, do I send in my rough copy or a typed copy? How am I even going to find a publisher in the first place?

...you never send out anything less than a completed, POLISHED draft of your ms... and it better be typed in the proper format... i have a format guide i'll be glad to send you, if you email me at the address below... how you find a publisher, is by getting a copy of 'writers market' or subscribing to the online version... i advise doing both, since the book has lots of basic info you clearly need to learn and the online service has regular updates on which publisher want what kinds of mss... you can get a package deal with both book and subscription at any major bookstore or at their site...

2) How long does it take to get published? For example, if I find a company that agrees to publish me about how long will it take to get my book back?

...the average is 18 months to 2 years, from signing a contract, to seeing your book on bookstore shelves...

3) Will the book be sold in stores if it gets published? Most likely I will give a copy to my family and friends, but I do want to share it with others, too. How will I self-market myself if I don't have an agent?

...it will, if it gets published by a legit, traditional publishing house... if you go to one of the vanity publishers, it won't, unless you can talk some small book store into taking a couple of copies... agents don't market your book... the publisher does that... all an agent does is shop it around till it gets accepted by a publisher... self-marketing a book takes a lot of time and energy and money... it's too much to go into here, but i'll give you some examples if you contact me for the guide...

4) I am currently 16. Do publishers ask for your age when you send in a piece of work? I think you have to have parental consent to get something published...am I correct? How does this work?

...no one will ask your age when you query publishers or agents, but you'll have to have a parent sign the contract, since you're a minor...

5) Lastly, where do I start looking for publishers?

...where i mentioned above... the latest edition of 'writers market'... as well as on the bookshelves of your library or local book store... find books that are similar to what you've written and then look up those publishers to see if they accept queries from unagented writers... i hope this answers your questions...

love and hugs, maia'
maia3maia@hotmail.com

mammamaia · 11-01-2005, 10:21 AM

i should add a word or two of caution... there are many 'vanity' publishers out there that will take your ms and turn it into a book... but the cost is in the thousands, many of them are out and out scams, and some turn out junk that's full of every error you didn't catch and will be poorly printed, bound, etc. and will have to be priced way above the normal cost of traditionally published books, in order for you to even begin to make back the cost...

there are also a glut of what is called 'pod's... that stands for 'print on demand' and some of those companies say they publish you for 'free' but you then have to buy the books from them, in order to sell them yourself... they do no marketing or publicity and only list the book on amazon, at a price next to no one will pay... most of those also turn out inferior books and do next to no editing... some charge for editing and other services, after you're locked into a contract that will usually keep you from doing anything else with your book for 7 years...

since you're so young, i strongly suggest you concentrate on honing your writing skills, and wait till you've written enough, to be sure your work is really publishing-quality... then, seek an agent who takes on new writers, and let the agent find you a publisher... that's really the best way to go...

Gauda · 11-01-2005, 08:36 PM

thank you so much mammamaia..I will be contacting you shortly!

mammamaia · 11-02-2005, 10:03 AM

my pleasure, gauda... looking forward to hearing from you... hugs, m