Getting a book published

[Dan Vito Corleone]

Cheers, that's the advice I'm being given so it's the advice I'll follow.

[chauncey]

Without wishing to come across overly cuntish, how can you complete a degree in journalism and be so shorn of contacts as to seek this advice on a football forum? I'm a thick cunt who never went to uni but even I know that UK publishing apes the US to the extent that unless you self-publish - or are scouted - then your masterpiece will be gestating for some time yet.

 

You're welcome.

[Remmie]

Was just looking at audiobooks and sure enough I found a book on getting your book published: Publish Your Book: Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author Audio Book | Patricia Fry | Download Publish Your Book: Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author | Audible.co.uk

[Paulie Dangerously]

I was fucking ecstatic when I published my first set of poems.

 

Then the toilet cleaners came in at the weekend and wiped them off the walls.

 

Didn't you write a book about wolves once?

[Pony Princess]

Didn't you write a book about wolves once?

 

No, it was the first few chapters of a fantasy adventure I wrote. I eventually just chucked it on some fanfic site.

 

I should have thrown in some bondage, humiliation and sexual slavery. I could have been the next E.L.James - being crap at writing certainly didn't stop her.

[Dan Vito Corleone]

Without wishing to come across overly cuntish, how can you complete a degree in journalism and be so shorn of contacts as to seek this advice on a football forum?

 

Because only a handful went on to be journalists and are just that - journalists. Not authors.

[Section_31]

First off Dan, fucking well in for coming as far as you have with it, great effort.

 

Firstly this is a must, although I imagine you've already got it:

 

The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2013 Writers' and Artists': Amazon.co.uk: Www Writersandartists Co Uk: Books

 

I'd swerve the self publishing route unless it's a last resort. You've got two options really. Either try and get an agent, or approach a smaller publishing house directly.

 

It's the ultimate catch 22 really, an agent very often won't touch you with no experience, but you can't get experience without being published, and you can't get published without an agent (often).

 

If you're going to approach an agent go through the list in the yearbook and just send them speculative emails. Even if they say they don't take new stuff or unsolicited stuff, try and sell yourself in the email and they might ask to see it anyway, this happened with me a couple of months back.

 

That's the important thing though, sell yourself, talk about the stuff which would make them think you are worthwhile investing their time and energy in and not just a fly by night who wants to be a writer. Tell them all the writing you've done, blogging, contributions to games in work, absolutely anything.

 

The problem with trying to get into writing, any writing, is it attracts an absolute army of deluded people. For every genuinely talented writer trying to get a foothold there'll be about two dozen mad old bats who consider themselves to be the next Charlotte Bronte. I challenge you to attend a writing course or library group and not be astounded at the level of self-delusion on show. Now imagine you're an agent and it's your 9-5 to deal with these people? Throwing paper in the bin is going to be almost second nature.

 

Cherry pick them, sound them out and sell yourself early on, then maybe follow it up with a phonecall so they can tell you're not nuts.

 

The other route is to approach smaller publishers. Have a look at the books in Waterstones that are similar to yours and take the names of the publishers then try sounding them out directly.

 

My mate in work's just written a sports book about a famous f**tball personality and he approached a company that specialises in it, it also does a lot of rugby books. The publisher called him direct to talk about the book and the subject and then asked him to submit a couple of chapters. He's still considering it last time I heard.

 

I think if you pick your targets, sell yourself well and persevere you'll get there mate.

[Paul]

 

No' date=' it was the first few chapters of a fantasy adventure I wrote. I eventually just chucked it on some fanfic site.

 

I should have thrown in some bondage, humiliation and sexual slavery. I could have been the next E.L.James - being crap at writing certainly didn't stop her.[/quote']

 

Being (relatively) crap at writing hasn't stopped loads of millionaire authors. The very worst I've ever read is Dan Brown. His stuff is laughably bad and yet he sells millions. Give the public a daft plot with a high concept and they'll lap it up even if it's utter gibberish and the characters are one dimensional plot devices.

 

By the way Dan, good luck. I've no idea whether you're any good or not, but I've got massive respect for your dedication.

[Dan Vito Corleone]

Well, it's taken me 2 years and 11 months but last week I reached the conclusion of my writing and finished my novel. The first draft is complete and I will now be having a good break of a month or so before tackling the next draft. I'll have a fair bit of work on because I have changed as a writer since I first started and I will have a fair few changes to make and pages to re-write.

 

Once that draft is done I'll be seeking a literary agent/publisher. However, 138,518 words and 313 pages into a Microsoft Word document, I'm done. And I'm enjoying having some free time for a change, 2013 has been a year where I have put almost all my resources into this book. Playstation 4 and TLW FTW!

 

And if you've never seen it, here's a cover a workmate designed:

 

[Jairzinho]

Fucking ace.

 

Best of luck getting it published, AP.

[Rico1304]

Cover looks fantastic and a bit familiar. (Not a dig by the way)