Getting published

Welcome CreeMaxie. There's a brief overview of some of the processes here.*

And if you spend a few days (at least) exploring the various forums here at the AW Cooler, reading stickied posts (those at the top) and past threads, you'll learn just about all there is to know.


*Toot-toot! <--the sound of me blowing my horn.

Welcome Cree.

First of all, relax -you have what many of us don't -time!

First, you write your novel, then you revise it and edit it until it is as good as it can be. Then you send Query letters to Agents and if an Agent likes what they see they hopefully ask you for the manuscript and perhaps a synopsis, too.

The Agent then tries to get apublisher.

None of the above costs you any money . Remember that. Other than the normal cost of postage, paper and perhaps printing out on your computer/printer.

If you haven't finished your novel yet, the above is largely academic but you can find out more about any of the above terms I've used used by referring to the Sticky FAQ threads in the various Forums here.

These Sticky threads at the top of each Forum's thread listings are meant to help folk get acclimatised here, as well as providing a lot of helpful information on writing and getting published and the relative terminology.

There's a large Share-Your-Work section, too, but make sure your work is as good as you can make it before posting there and asking for feedback. It will be assumed you are submitting work on which you have spent time and effort.

Again, welcome, and have fun.

Before posting a raft of questions, do spend time browsing and familiarising yourself with this site - it's huge and it can take a while to get orientated. Plus, most of the questions asked by many newcomers have already been answered in previous threads. Use the Search function if you wish and if what you are searching for contains words of less than four letters, put quote marks around the phrase for which you are searching.

Having said all that, do ask if you have a real problem to which you can't find the answer. Folk will always be here to help.

Again -welcome

Start with Ask the Agent forum. Read all the Stickys. Ask your questions. Get your answers. When you've written your synopses (detailed and short) and are ready to start querying, go to Share Your Work Query letters.


ETA: Looks like Bufty and Eraser sneaked in here ahead of me. Good info in both posts.

No Dumb Questions

Welcome! You're in the right place.

You're dumb -- only if you don't ask questions! So, you're really smart.

As others said, if your book is fiction (a novel) you'll probably need an agent, although in some genres, smaller publishers take direct submissions.

Nonfiction books are sold a bit differently and sometimes directly to publishers without the middle man of an agent taking a 15% cut of everything. You'll probably need to have your first nonfiction book completed before trying for an agent or publisher, but what you send to them is a proposal.

But before you take any of these actions, you need to learn how to write a slammin' query letter that will get your foot in the door someplace.

Lots to learn, huh? I'd also recommend learning everything you can about the book publishing industry and about marketing books.

Good luck!

I've got nothing to add that the others haven't said.

I just want to say good on you for asking, and for asking the right way. No boorish language, no demanding answers. Just asking for help as a newbie.

It's good to know what you don't know. And it's good that you came here to learn

All of the above. Just remember: before you can publish, you must have a publishable work. Don't put the cart before the horse. Christopher Paolini aside, getting published ain't easy, and, in fact, it wasn't particularly easy for him or his family either.

And stay away from PublishAmerica.

Sorry, had to add that.

CreeMaxie said:

How do you get yourself out there? How do you publish? Where do you send the MS once you have it done? Do you need an agent or something?

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You may want to self-publish your material. If you want to find out more, a blog site called MORE THAN WORDS is all about self-published books and book authors. You may want to check it out.

xlibrian said:

You may want to self-publish your material. If you want to find out more, a blog site called MORE THAN WORDS is all about self-published books and book authors. You may want to check it out.

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I smell spam.

Great advice from all.
First off, nothing is more important than persistence and a thick skin. Judging by the Wind, an agent is all but mandatory. But please vow to never produce any money up front, regardless of how an agent may word it. Following that hook will hurt more than your pocketbook. That said, set your sails to lee, and welcome.

That's your own blog, xlib.

Or check this, too, Creemaxie.

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113763&highlight=xlibris

xlibrian said:

You may want to self-publish your material. If you want to find out more, a blog site called MORE THAN WORDS is all about self-published books and book authors. You may want to check it out.

Click to expand...