Baby's First Novel

[Guest]

My husband has always been a skilled and eloquent writer, and he has worked on many projects, but never taken the steps toward getting anything published. Now, as he whiles away his time in Iraq, he has begun writing a truly incredible piece of fiction that is way outside his normal range of work. It's a young adults' fantasy novel, and it's incredible. I am his harshest critic, and I'm truly impressed. I expect it to be finished by the new year.

So, where to from there? I'm better at swinging a hammer than navigating the tricky world of literary publishing. I know absolutely nothing about this. I know he'll need an agent, but I have no clue how to find a reputable one or where to look.

Any pointers from you old pros for a new author?

 

[Vermilion]

My husband has always been a skilled and eloquent writer, and he has worked on many projects, but never taken the steps toward getting anything published. Now, as he whiles away his time in Iraq, he has begun writing a truly incredible piece of fiction that is way outside his normal range of work. It's a young adults' fantasy novel, and it's incredible. I am his harshest critic, and I'm truly impressed. I expect it to be finished by the new year.

So, where to from there? I'm better at swinging a hammer than navigating the tricky world of literary publishing. I know absolutely nothing about this. I know he'll need an agent, but I have no clue how to find a reputable one or where to look.

Any pointers from you old pros for a new author?

I haven't dared submit anything, but I have been reading up on it... so until a pro replies you'll have to make do with me

In the UK we have something called The Writers and Artists Handbook. This is an invaluable tome containing details of every agent and publisher in the country and what genres they take, who to contact etc... I know there's a similar book in the State but it has a different name. Get hold of a copy of this, they may have it in your local library, and look up agents who take young adults fantasy fiction. The book should also say what submission they prefer, but the norm is a covering letter with previous experience and maybe a synopsis accompanied by the first chapter, though, as I say, this can vary so make sure you're familiar with each agent before submitting.

Also - make sure you submit to only one agent at a time unless they say simultaneous submissions are OK, otherwise you'll piss them off no end if two agents make an offer at the same time and you'll get a reputation for unprofessional conduct.

Right, I'll see if I can find that book I mentioned on Amazon. Good luck and let us know how it goes
x
V

 

[Vermilion]

Right, I think the American version is called The Writer's Market

Hope it helps

x
V

 

[Guest]

Right, I think the American version is called The Writer's Market

Hope it helps

x
V

Thanks bunches, I'll check it out.

 

[English Lady]

Hello Lady, even though I am published, I don't have any real advice for you for getting into your traditional print type publishing. I kinda stumbled into Ebooks and from that I've got a little print.

However, here's a few bits I've learnt about submissions:

When you submit go over everything time and time again. Follow the submission guidelines down to the tiniest detail -it really does matter. Make your cover letter sparkle because this is what will catch the publishers attention.

And it can take a LONG time to hear back from a publisher. I submitted to one in July, I've not heard a thing from them as yet. Don't panic, it can be a long process, especially if you're submitting to a popular publisher

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

There are all kinds of ways to go if you want to publish.

Consider PRINT ON DEMAND. Publishers like it because of the low costs and low risks for new, unproven authors. That is, they print what they need.

No warehouses filled with unsold remainders. No cases of returned books from sellers. No one has big money tied up in inventory.

An excellent book on the subject is PRINT ON DEMAND BOOK PUBLISHING by Morris Rosenthal. $14.95

Several years ago a friend of mine self-published a "limited interest" book for scholars and libraries. No publisher wanted it because of the small market for the book. So my friend printed 1000 copies. A large special-interest, on-line seller took some on consignment. The rest he sold via mail and word of mouth. Libraries and scholars bought most of his books.

I paid $20 for my copy. Its now worth $150 on the used market.

He broke even after selling 500 of the books.

 

[Liar]

Getting a debut novel published the traditional way by just submitting it to publishing houses, even if it's very good, is a long shot at best. Unless you're already a celebrity.

Publishing houses have to make a business desicion and an unestablished writer is always a risk no matter the quality. So they often have a quota. "We give 5 new autors in Genre A a chance this year." And if they have to choose between two good scripts (happens quite often) they'll be more likely to take yours if you're someone they knw they can more easily sell yto the general public. I'm afraid it's very much about creating a buzz. Good marketing of the author is maybe even more important than the quality of the book.

Is there some angle to this that can make it stand out and create interrest, other than that it's a good book? Can your local paper do a human-interrest thing on it maybe? If you don't think it's to cheapen his sevice there, the story of a soldier in Iraq writing (possibly) the next Harry Potter, has a certain feelgood vibe to it. And god knows we need feelgood stories these days.

It mayt feel like a sell-out to become that gimmick author. But it kind of works.

 

[Stella_Omega]

DO NOT go straight to publishers-- look for a literary agent. I've been following the sagas of several writers of different genres-- on is erotica, on is young adult, one is adult 'intellectual'-- and all three of them have ended up looking for agents and all three of them have said that every one in the industry that they talked to-- before they started told them the same. One man realised too late that his contract gave his publisher rights for eternity, basically. The clause said that, even if the publisher chose to drop the book from print, he could not find another publisher. He had no rights in foreign countries-- even though his publisher had no foreign concerns. As it happens, the publisher abruptly sold itself to another company and dropped the entire fiction department, before they had even begone printing him. The writers are all of them working to get their works back now. A knowledgeable agent would have been aware of such pitfall.

If this was a short story, you know-- it wouldn't matter as much.

 

[Stella_Omega]

A couple of resources;
'Writer Beware' Blog

Storm Grant's publishing bookmarks

 

[amicus]

My husband has always been a skilled and eloquent writer, and he has worked on many projects, but never taken the steps toward getting anything published. Now, as he whiles away his time in Iraq, he has begun writing a truly incredible piece of fiction that is way outside his normal range of work. It's a young adults' fantasy novel, and it's incredible. I am his harshest critic, and I'm truly impressed. I expect it to be finished by the new year.

So, where to from there? I'm better at swinging a hammer than navigating the tricky world of literary publishing. I know absolutely nothing about this. I know he'll need an agent, but I have no clue how to find a reputable one or where to look.

Any pointers from you old pros for a new author?

~~~

This is personal opinion only, worth exactly what you pay for it.

Stella, for one is correct, going directly to the major publishers will eat up years of your time and leave you with nothing.

Literary editors or agents, are another source of frustration. You can go through the Writer's Guide and find a list of them, many will not accept email submissions and snail mail, once again, consumes time rapidly.

Again, personal opinion, the traditional publishing route is quickly becoming a dinosaur, obsolete and as others said, if your name is on the order of a Nicole Kidman or other Hollywood or political star, or a serial killer, neither agents or publishers will make the investment and take the risk on a 'new author'.

I suggest that when the manuscript is complete and edited by as many people as you can coerce into reading other than your friends, it will still contain errors which those close to the story continue to overlook, somehow they slip by.

Suggestion again, pay a professional editor to go through the manuscript, word by word, line by line and if you wish, pay for criticism about story line, plot direction, character development and conflicts. Be prepared to be chagrined at what most editors will offer.

There are many POD, print on demand, publishers that will do editing, art work for front and back covers and even offer promotional tools and get your book listed on internet booksellers sights, such as Amazon.com and all the rest.

It is an exciting quest for a first time author and even if you do everything just right, it still depends on you or in your case your husband author to personally promote and sell the book. You cease to be a writer and you become a salesperson or your book just sits there and does nothing. These POD people can instruct you how to approach your local newspaper, radio and television stations for interviews and exposure.

I hesitate publicly offering the names of my publishers, because of who I am, no doubt someone will criticize my choices and tell you why they are worthless.

However, I have had some success with PublishAmerica.com and iUniverse.com. Publish America you have to submit to and they may or may not print your book, but they do not charge anything. But it took nearly a year after acceptance for my book to be published. iUniverse was less than two months from when I sent the manuscript by email, until final artwork was approved and the book was published, but be prepared to spend some money, even more if you wish editorial and promotional services.

I hope that is helpful and I wish you the best of luck in your quest.

Amicus...

 

[Stella_Omega]

Just don't make the mistake of thinking that PublishAmerica is concerned with the writer's best interests.; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25187-2005Jan20.html
or genuine quality;
http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/006032.html

 

[amicus]

I rather expected that and from you among the usual suspects...let me ask you this:

Was it really necessary? Was it helpful to the threadstarter?

But then, I knew that going in, nothing is too low for you folks to stoop to.

Amicus...

 

[Stella_Omega]

I rather expected that and from you among the usual suspects...let me ask you this:

Was it really necessary? Was it helpful to the threadstarter?

But then, I knew that going in, nothing is too low for you folks to stoop to.

Amicus...

Did I say anything about you yourself? For all I know, your novel might be excellent-- plenty good enough to warrant sales.

PublishAmerica, however is not reputable, and it might be very important to the threadstarter.

 

[amicus]

ourladyofthehighways...Happy Thanksgiving, if you celebrate such things.

I have had a contractual agreement with PublishAmerica for over three years, they have done everything stipulated and the royalty checks, statements and tax information arrive as scheduled and on time. The same thing holds for iUniverse.

Neither of these may be of interest to you, I only thought to answer your inquiry as best I could. Once again I wish you and your husband all the best in finding the right way to publish your book.

regards...


Stella_Omega...thas it, I am done with you. This is the last of your posts I will ever respond to.

Amicus...

 

[Stella_Omega]

ourladyofthehighways...Happy Thanksgiving, if you celebrate such things.

I have had a contractual agreement with PublishAmerica for over three years, they have done everything stipulated and the royalty checks, statements and tax information arrive as scheduled and on time. The same thing holds for iUniverse.

Neither of these may be of interest to you, I only thought to answer your inquiry as best I could. Once again I wish you and your husband all the best in finding the right way to publish your book.

regards...


Stella_Omega...thas it, I am done with you. This is the last of your posts I will ever respond to.

Amicus...

I would be sorry for that, ami-- but you've never exactly responded to me anyway.

You've responded to whatever label you used-- commie, slimeball, collectivist, parasite, or any female stereotype you happen to pluck out of clear air-- but none of those are me.

So your news doesn't exactly fill me with sorrow.

Still, let me compliment you; As far as my research makes out, if you have had success with PA it's because of your own efforts and the quality of your own work-- PA hasn't done much for you. It's good to know that the paperwork is upfront at least.

 

[Guest]

Thanks again for the information and input. For those talking about notoriety, Siddhartha does have a rather well-known blog with a strong following. I'd love to see him build his "resume" by submitting essays and articles to various magazines, but he's a little short on free time right now. He has a rather large collection of unpublished nonfiction short stories, and has been described by a professor as "the best nonfiction writer he's ever seen." His blog has been reviewed by a handful of very popular sites, and many of his readers have expressed an interest in seeing that blog published.

So, he's not brand-spanking new at this, but we have some work ahead of us.

After doing some reading, I'm fairly certain that we are NOT interested in self-publishing right away. We'd like to give it a go in the traditional route first and foremost.