How do I go about getting a novel published?

Question

Hi, I had an idea for a book a few weeks ago and have started to write a draught manuscript. Once I've completed and proof-read it, does anyone have any experience with the next stage of getting my book published, eg approaching publishers? Thanks!

Answer 1

Every publisher has rules about how to submit manuscripts and the proper address. You'll need to make a trip to the library - there is a book (I do not remember the name) in which publishers are listed along with their requirements, addresses, etc. An alternative is to look up their web sites - their requirements are usually listed there, as well.

Remember that not all publishers take all genres of writing - some specialize in one type (like drama, mystery, "women's novels", etc.), some only take short stories (especially magazines), some in serials (again, magazines), etc. You must approach the proper ones for your ttype of literature, and in the proper manner to be considered seriously.

Answer 2

As a writer of some note, my first observation is that a 'Draught' manuscript relies heavily on beer for inspiration.

One does write drafts and when happy will seek a publisher.

It's simple. You put all your loose but numbered pages into a parcel. Send it to a publisher and several years later you may get it back with a note saying 'Thanks but no thanks'.

Try to find an agent who will give you an honest appraisal of your work's chances and possibly submit if for you.

Answer 3

You can trudge around the agents and publishing houses and get used to rejection, or if you're really confident that you can write you can publish it yourself at very low cost. You can even publish a single copy if you wish.

Here are two websites that will help you:

http://www.authorhouse.com/ (If you're really serious)

http://www.lulu.com/uk/ (good place to start)

Lulu.com will even help you to sell your books online and print them up for you only when they have been sold. You decide the price, and the amount of royalty you will receive.

Then you publicise your book on your blog or website, and wait for the sales to come in. If you get no sales it costs you nothing at all (except, perhaps, your hurt feelings), but if your book is any good, you'll make some money and perhaps even attract the attention of a publishing house.

It's a no-lose solution.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Self-publishing is NOT a "no-lose" situation. You do absolutely lose something when you self-publish; you lose your all-important First Publication rights. First rights are what publishing houses are generally interested in.

Yes, it is possible--remotely--that your self-published book will do well enough to attract a major publisher. Sales that would attract a major publisher would be in the 5,000+ range. How will you sell 5k copies of a book without getting it into bookstores? Without reviews in the major trade publications (Publisher's Weekly, Kirkus, etc.?) How will you sell 5k copies when nobody knows about your book? How will you promote the book? How will you pay for that promotion? Will you advertise it? How? How will you pay for that?

Yes, it has happened. I can think of three titles it happened to. Three, out of hundreds of thousands. You have a better chance at winning the lottery than you do of having a self-published book hit the kinds of numbers that equal major-house interest.

Your best bet for getting the book published in a way that will earn you money, instead of costing you money (Lulu is a great self-publishing option, and is free, but you still have to pay for copies of the book to distribute, for advertising, etc. etc.) is to polish and polish the book. Find places where you can post samples for critique (Absolute Write is a great forum for this, with lots of published members). Take those crits on board and edit and polish some more.

Start submitting to agents. if the book is good enough--like, good enough to sell 5k copies as a self-published title--an agent will agree to represent you. They then submit it to publishing houses for you, while you work on your next book. Hopefully an editor will like it enough to make an offer. Then they pay you. They handle advertising and marketing. They get it into bookstores. They do all of that while you write the next book.

Self-publishing can be a good option for some people; mostly non-fiction in a specific field. An example I've used before is if you're a model-train enthusiast, and write a book on a specific topic in that field. A major house will likely not be interested because the market is too small, but you could probably do very well selling to fellow model-train fans.

First printing rights are valuable and important. They're what publishers want.

Writing a book people want to buy is hard work. It takes a lot of time and research and effort. But it's worth it.

The average self-published book sells 150 copies. 150. And the author of every one of those books was probably convinced their book would be different, their book would be a breakout.

Ultimately of course the decision is up to you. But I urge you to aim for real publication first, before giving up your first rights and self-publishing a book that will likely have disappointing sales. Don't sell yourself or your work short like that.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I recently self published my book 'two years' go to author house.com for all the info you need