1911 Beta

Just to start this off - I'm making this topic here to see if I can get any helpful information. I know that I can search anything on wikianswers and probably find more content than some of the stuff posted within these forums. However, I know quite a few of you are actually intelligent people and might have some insights that I can't find!


Now, onto the subject at hand! I'm finishing up my first novel (for what feels like the 5th time) and want to find the best path to get it published: the traditional, agent/editor/publisher route, or self-publishing. With publishers being skeptical when it comes to debut novelists (especially if that novel is part of a series), I decided to look into self-publishing more seriously. What I'm asking from you fine forum folk is this: Do you know anything about this area? I'm just looking for a bit of information to steer me in the right direction, or anything that will help do so.

i know ive heard a lot about people self publishing ebooks for the kindle and whatnot, seems to be an OK route if you have the ability to put word out about the book and get interest flowing.

all I know is that I expect a signed first edition so when The Book of Eli happens and they are remaking the world's library I can provide them with some toilet paper.

If you decide to go the e-reader route, Pandora publishing project is a pretty stress free. If this is something you're really set on, why don't you find a writers agent that specializes in the novels genre. He/she will know the publishers most likely to pick up the book.

`NG wrote:If this is something you're really set on, why don't you find a writers agent that specializes in the novels genre. He/she will know the publishers most likely to pick up the book.

That was my original plan, but I've read a few stories about up to a dozen publishers turning down a single agent. One woman ended up just going the self-publishing route and, after a few months and getting to the top of Amazon's best sellers list, was tracked down by some big-named publisher (which is currently slipping my mind).

It's very difficult to get a work of fiction published if you have never been published before. But, all it takes is that one time. A good friend of mine from college is a Native American author and poet, and he tried for over a decade to get something published. But, when he finally did, he had a lot more help with some of his older stuff he had been trying to publish for so long.

Be prepared to get rejected for 20 years, and be prepared to be asked to totally re-write and change your work in the event that you do get picked up.

Self-publishing and e-book publishing can at least help you get your name on google, but you won't get published until you produce something that will convince non-creative's that they will make $$$. Which is much easier said than done.

Sears wrote:It's very difficult to get a work of fiction published if you have never been published before...

Be prepared to get rejected for 20 years, and be prepared to be asked to totally re-write and change your work in the event that you do get picked up.

I've been told this many a time. I've come to recognize it as the loosely named "You will fail speech." I'm not against re-writing my work, as I've done it many times on my own in the sense of completely overhauling everything and ending up with practically a new book. But it certainly doesn't help when people use the line "Be prepared to get rejected for 20 years." (Nothing against what you said, by the way! I've been told it many times and it's just simply being realistic. Just not very encouraging ). A creative writing professor I had a few semesters ago pretty much said to the class that nobody would ever have a career as a writer, then proceeded to go on and on about how he will be. Not a very helpful class in the end.

Self-publishing and e-book publishing can at least help you get your name on google, but you won't get published until you produce something that will convince non-creative's that they will make $$$. Which is much easier said than done.

I think that's what needs to be done nowadays. Your name needs to be out there for anybody to take you seriously, and it's a joke. I understand the logic behind it, but I what I don't understand is the "never take risks" mentality.

beep beep

This is probably really basic and maybe not helpful but I'll go on anyways

I got a book of my photography (coffee table book) made into a hardbound book, which was really high quality. I used blurb.com, where basically you make an electronic version of your book under your name and it will be placed in their online bookstore. They have some basic formats that you can start from for whatever kind I book you need printed. I made the book for myself but I think here may be a profit sharing program with their online bookstore. Not sure though.

You're not really going to make money with this site but you're definitely going to put you name out there. And having not only an online copy but also a professional, printed copy may be a good way to show the book to publishers, even though they are going to rework everything themselves.

I don't know much about the process to be honest, just throwing that out there to check out

stealthlol wrote: I've been told this many a time. I've come to recognize it as the loosely named "You will fail speech." I'm not against re-writing my work, as I've done it many times on my own in the sense of completely overhauling everything and ending up with practically a new book. But it certainly doesn't help when people use the line "Be prepared to get rejected for 20 years." (Nothing against what you said, by the way! I've been told it many times and it's just simply being realistic. Just not very encouraging ). A creative writing professor I had a few semesters ago pretty much said to the class that nobody would ever have a career as a writer, then proceeded to go on and on about how he will be. Not a very helpful class in the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tjYoKCBYag
Fired from a newspaper because he "lacked imagination and had no original ideas": Walt Disney.

If you're serious about your career, then network. Specifically, try and get involved in charities where you know movers and shakers in publishing will be. Do good work, get them talking about themselves (people like that), and show enthusiasm. Sending your writing or resumes to countless places is no where near as effective as real face time---go straight to the people who make decisions and be persistant.

Reh wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tjYoKCBYag
Fired from a newspaper because he "lacked imagination and had no original ideas": Walt Disney.

If you're serious about your career, then network. Specifically, try and get involved in charities where you know movers and shakers in publishing will be. Do good work, get them talking about themselves (people like that), and show enthusiasm. Sending your writing or resumes to countless places is no where near as effective as real face time---go straight to the people who make decisions and be persistant.

Strong first post.

You should rewrite it into a choose-your-own adventure book. I heard those are big money sellers.

Also, grow a handlebar mustache. It lends itself to your cred as a writer.

St|ck wrote:You should rewrite it into a choose-your-own adventure book. I heard those are big money sellers.

`NG wrote:Also, grow a handlebar mustache. It lends itself to your cred as a writer.

Both obviously happening.

Good Luck with your book Sir!

linkedin/facebook/tweeter! Get on it!

Minus the serious stuff, I'm rolling over here! LOLOLOLOLOL

In addition to what I said above about the charities, create a feasibility study. Executive summary, a comprehensive SWOT Analysis, top ten reasons for success/failure, research what has worked for others and what does not, interview professionals, conduct literature reviews, 4p's, and really any analysis that you see fit.

It makes a powerful impression to be able to walk into their office and set a 200+ page business report down after you initially drop the idea to the people you have networked with. You've actually put significant thought and effort into your product (in this case your book). Anyone can churn out a book or an idea. You have to prove how you're going to get results for a publisher.

You get places in this world by exceeding expectation---in other words, make people remember you. I gaurentee what I said above will create the kind of impression that you need. This of course assumes that your actual work--the writing--is good enough to compete.

If nothing else, it would serve as a tremendously personal resource for TQM. What you'll learn from conducting such a study would almost certainly create marked improvement in all areas.


I'm not sure how serious you actually are, and this will require a metric ton of work, but it's what I would do. But that's just me.

The more I think about what your professor said, the more annoyed I get. The phrase "He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches" comes to mind---but from the sounds of things, he or she isn't a great professor for the students either.

I think I would have asked him or her why they felt it nessasary to project their failures onto others. Not everyone falls on the left side of the bell curve, like that little professor.

Reh wrote:The more I think about what your professor said, the more annoyed I get. The phrase "He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches" comes to mind---but from the sounds of things, he or she isn't a great professor for the students either.

I think I would have asked him or her why they felt it nessasary to project their failures onto others. Not everyone falls on the left side of the bell curve, like that little professor.

Haha, yeah. He was a joke. Spent a few weeks of our semester talking about his book as opposed to working on workshops or doing anything constructive. Sad thing is, he's the only professor that ever teaches the course. And thanks for all your input. It is quite a bit to take in, but I will certainly use the information/advice as best I can.

Reh wrote:In addition to what I said above about the charities, create a feasibility study. Executive summary, a comprehensive SWOT Analysis, top ten reasons for success/failure, research what has worked for others and what does not, interview professionals, conduct literature reviews, 4p's, and really any analysis that you see fit.

It makes a powerful impression to be able to walk into their office and set a 200+ page business report down after you initially drop the idea to the people you have networked with. You've actually put significant thought and effort into your product (in this case your book). Anyone can churn out a book or an idea. You have to prove how you're going to get results for a publisher.

You get places in this world by exceeding expectation---in other words, make people remember you. I gaurentee what I said above will create the kind of impression that you need. This of course assumes that your actual work--the writing--is good enough to compete.

If nothing else, it would serve as a tremendously personal resource for TQM. What you'll learn from conducting such a study would almost certainly create marked improvement in all areas.


I'm not sure how serious you actually are, and this will require a metric ton of work, but it's what I would do. But that's just me.

Sorry to be a dick, but it also helps people take you seriously if you spell everything correct.

I spelled one word wrong in something I wrote in passing on a message board

People in all professions/education levels make mistakes when they write. This wasn't exactly a cover letter or an E-mail to the CEO. I would say my writing is significantly above average. If you don't want to take what I say seriously...fine then?