OK, PA's Out...What do I do now?

RocketFoot · Jul 21, 2009

When I started my novel, I was actually inspired by my neighbor who is published twice with PA. He told me how easy it is to get published with them and I got excited and started the book that has been in my head for a few years now. One of my biggest hold backs was the horror stories of trying to get published. But with easy publishing in sight, I was on my way!

Well, I read the Avoid PA thread here and now the wind has left my sails once again! If PA is bad, what other options do I have. I'm a new author with no previous works.

My only requirements are to get the book in bookstores and Amazon, no fees or cost to me and I'd like to have a good editor go over my MS before it's published.

If anyone has a recommendation, I'd love to hear it!

BTW, my novel will be in the scifi/action genre.

scarletpeaches · Jul 21, 2009

Write a book.

Edit the snot out of it.

Get an agent.

Simples!

waylander · Jul 21, 2009

Write it, rewrite it, network round places like this to build up contacts with other writers who will swap critiques with you, read lots in your genre, go to a few SF conventions if you can

RocketFoot · Jul 21, 2009

I guess I do need to finish it before I get too worried! LOL...It was so much more fun when I actually had a plan!

scarletpeaches · Jul 21, 2009

Now you have a new plan. And this way, you stand a chance of making money, rather than being ripped off.

KTC · Jul 21, 2009

Yep. Write. Edit. Edit. Edit. Edit. Edit. Query agents. If it is picked up, it will go through an editing process. If you would rather self-publish...you could use Lulu. It's pretty good for that purpose...but you won't see it getting into bookstores that way.

Cyia · Jul 21, 2009

Finish the book.
Edit the book.
Find a brutal beta reader (there's a forum here for that)
While it's with a beta, or around the time you're finishing your edits, write a query letter (there's a forum here for help with that, too.)
Go to AgentQuery or QueryTracker or other similar sites, enter your genre information and get yourself a list of agents who rep that genre. Check them out with a site like Preditors and Editors, or here in Bewares and Background Checks. (If you have a paid subscription to Publisher's Marketplace, you can check out their recent sales,too)
Send your wonderful query to the agents you think will best suit your book.
Wait....
Get requests for partial and/or full manuscripts - send them to the requesting agent(s).
Wait....
Hopefully get an offer of representation.
Edit again with suggestions from agent.
Wait...
Agent sends book to editors
Wait...
Hopefully sell book
Edit again with suggestions from editor for publisher

JulieB · Jul 21, 2009

You might start by checking the Alternatives to PA thread, if you haven't already. If you have, good for you!

I second the suggestion to attend SF conventions. Some conventions also hold workshops and seminars for writers. Often, these are free or a nominal fee in addition to what you pay to get in. (Tip: buy your tickets early and save money!) Look for SF conventions that bill themselves as literary cons. These events often have panel discussions on the business of writing - everything from character creation to finding an agent to submitting a manuscript.

You may find other genre conventions in your neck of the woods with similar programming items.

DeadlyAccurate · Jul 21, 2009

RocketFoot said:
I guess I do need to finish it before I get too worried! LOL...It was so much more fun when I actually had a plan!

Finish the book first. You should be more concerned with becoming a good writer than becoming a published author. Writing well is a skill, just like playing the violin. You wouldn't expect to join a professional orchestra just because you managed to pick up a violin bow and slide it across the strings, would you? You would expect to practice and work at your skill. Writing is no different.

stormie · Jul 21, 2009

You've gotten great posts on what to do, so all I can say is, glad you researched PublishAmerica before submitting your work to them. Now finish that book.

RocketFoot · Jul 21, 2009

DeadlyAccurate said:
Finish the book first. You should be more concerned with becoming a good writer than becoming a published author. Writing well is a skill, just like playing the violin. You wouldn't expect to join a professional orchestra just because you managed to pick up a violin bow and slide it across the strings, would you? You would expect to practice and work at your skill. Writing is no different.

Oh, I absolutely agree. I just believe that if you want to catch a tiger by the tail, you better have a plan for the other end too! I never like to dive into something wholeheartedly with out a solid plan.

scarletpeaches · Jul 21, 2009

Absolutely nothing wrong with planning for publication, because the end result you desire affects (or should do) the way you live now.

RocketFoot · Jul 21, 2009

stormie said:
You've gotten great posts on what to do, so all I can say is, glad you researched PublishAmerica before submitting your work to them. Now finish that book.

Yes, excellent advise from all! Thank you!

Kaji · Jul 21, 2009

Yea, writing the book is a very small part of the publication process. lol. It took me four months to write a novel, and almost 6 to get it edited with a fine-tooth comb, and eventually published.

It is just that a process. You have to write it first, then worry about editing, and/or getting an agent. And if the only requirement is to get in to Amazon.com, then I would def. suggest LuLu.com. I have self published two books from there, and I loved it. Their customer service department sucks and shipping is a nightmare, but it was free, and it was published.

Good Luck!!!

kullervo · Jul 21, 2009

Things you do not need to be published well, or even very, very well:

1. Previously published work.
2. A degree in English or in writing.
3. Any previous writing experience.
4. Youth.
5. Money.
6. Celebrity.

What you do need to be published well, or even very, very well:

1. A very, very good book.

escritora · Jul 21, 2009

Off topic, but I'm wondering what your friend said about your decision not to go through PA.

RocketFoot · Jul 21, 2009

escritora said:
Off topic, but I'm wondering what your friend said about your decision not to go through PA.

I haven't told him yet. He seems pretty happy with their services. I don't wanna ruffle any feathers...he just moved in next door to me!

I'm really intrigued by Lulu...I've made many calendars with them and they do great work. I might have to think about self publishing also. I really have an asset in the fact that I have a whole forum of people waiting to buy my book! LOL...selling global would just be a bonus!

JulieB · Jul 21, 2009

If you're working on a novel, please look for a commercial publisher. A good, reputable small press can do a lot for you. But I'll repeat the advice given elsewhere on this site: start at the top and work your way down.

One more note about SF conventions: this is an excellent opportunity to converse, confer, and otherwise hob nob with your fellow writers. I've found the SF writing community in general to be a wonderful, helpful group of people. One of the fallacies that seems to make the rounds every once in a while is that published authors don't want new writers in there, stealing their sales. Not true. Good writing sells. That's all that matters.

Dick Stodghill · Jul 22, 2009

There is a thread near the top of the board with ideas and suggestions about what to do next if you have given up on PA.

circlexranch · Jul 22, 2009

Please give up on PA. Your work will not be edited other than running it through a spell check that will introduce errors and it WILL NOT be in bookstores unless you beg a couple in on consignment. Repeat - no editor will ever lay hands on your manuscript.

With PA, you'll get a cheaply made paperback with a clipart cover that is so vastly overpriced that will put an insurmountable barrier between you and your customers.

REMEMBER - PA keeps 92-freaking-percent of every sale made through their website and/or online booksellers.

Try your best to go with commercial publishing first if your work is of general interest. If you have a really narrow, well-established niche (ie characters that exist only in your forum), consider self-publishing. www.createspace.com is less expensive per copy than Lulu (no upfront charges, but cheaper copies means a lower cover price and fewer barriers to sales).

I am at a writing conference this weekend and will be shopping my bright shiny query fresh from a bout with the query squirrels - wish me luck folks (or at least a heckuva good time!)

CXR

RocketFoot · Jul 23, 2009

circlexranch said:
Please give up on PA. Your work will not be edited other than running it through a spell check that will introduce errors and it WILL NOT be in bookstores unless you beg a couple in on consignment. Repeat - no editor will ever lay hands on your manuscript.

With PA, you'll get a cheaply made paperback with a clipart cover that is so vastly overpriced that will put an insurmountable barrier between you and your customers.

REMEMBER - PA keeps 92-freaking-percent of every sale made through their website and/or online booksellers.

Try your best to go with commercial publishing first if your work is of general interest. If you have a really narrow, well-established niche (ie characters that exist only in your forum), consider self-publishing. www.createspace.com is less expensive per copy than Lulu (no upfront charges, but cheaper copies means a lower cover price and fewer barriers to sales).

I am at a writing conference this weekend and will be shopping my bright shiny query fresh from a bout with the query squirrels - wish me luck folks (or at least a heckuva good time!)

CXR

GOOD LUCK!

And thanks for the advice! I have definitely ruled PA out. It was appealing at first because my novel is a drama/action/sci-fi adventure about pseudo zombies! I just figured that it may be a small niche and no big publishing house will want to touch it. As I continue writing, I am realizing that it is coming together well and maybe it could go mainstream like "I Am Legend."

Is there any bad in self publishing while submitting queries? Or should I try one or the other?

spike · Jul 23, 2009

RocketFoot said:
GOOD LUCK!

Is there any bad in self publishing while submitting queries? Or should I try one or the other?

Are you talking about self publishing a book you are shopping around?

CMIIW, but most agents are not interested in a book that was already published, because the first publishing rights were used. They only way they would be interested is if you have extraordinary sales (I believe 10,000...but I could be wrong).

Self publishing is not a good idea for fiction. You are competing against publishing houses that have marketing depts and a sales force with resources that the individual authors can not match.

IMHO, self publishing should be the last route for a fiction writer.

Christine N. · Jul 23, 2009

FYI (for anyone, not just the OP): publishers do not "provide services". They buy the rights to publish books, entering into a business contract with authors, NOT a consumer one.

allenparker · Jul 23, 2009

Big Publishers

One thing I would like to mention is that larger publishers have more space for authors than small publishers. Your chances might be better with a larger publisher than a small one.

When you only publish 3 or 4 books a year, you have to be very careful which books you choose.

write to perfection. Start high. Work your way down to the kid next door with a bunch of paper and a box of crayons. Write another book to perfection.

James D. Macdonald · Jul 23, 2009

RocketFoot said:
I'm really intrigued by Lulu...I've made many calendars with them and they do great work. I might have to think about self publishing also.

Why shoot low?

Lulu et al. will still be there if your story gets rejected by every market in Publishers Marketplace, by then you'll have finished your next book, and by then you might know why it's been rejected.

Or, its possible that your book could be accepted by the very first place you send it, one of the top places in the world.

That's out of your hands.

What's in your hands is writing well and submitting well.

OK, PA's Out...What do I do now?

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