Struggling Authors

Well as I was searching the internet on writing and publishing. And guess what? I saw this site. Now what amazed me is its for the unpublished aurthor. That means if I read it corretly not successful authors. I know that does not mean that you wont be successful but at the moment we are not.

So has anyone ever published a book with out going down the route of self publishing.

I have only just started, so I dont know where to begin. I have only just started in writting my book. Its about things that have happened in my life. Sounds boring but I have led a rather eventful life. And alot has happened in it. Also its only just began. But I want to turn it into a story rather than a memoir. Anyways My name is Dave, and I hope to learn alot on here.

Does anyone have any tips or can point me in the right direction for a publishing house that will at least read my manuascript so I do not have to go down the self publishing route. I did a search on pulishing and all I get is self publishing houses.

Any help greatfully recieved.

Have a great day.

Dave

I can't help you with this one afraid but there's several members around who can.

Anyways, I'm just replying to say hello and welcome you to the board really! Here's hoping you settle in nicely

Hello there I'm Mad Tee and welcome to the well worn boards we tread.
My usual advice is to get yourself a copy of the Writers and Artists Year Book 2009. 2010 should be coming out shortly I guess. This is any writers bible and can be obtained from any good book shop, Waterstones W.H. Smith etc. The library may even have a copy. Start at page 1 and don't come up for air until you have finished it. (so to speak).
It holds a wealth of information and will answer nearly all your questions.

Firstly most publishing houses will not accept unsolicited mail from "Joe public". They insist you approach them through a Literary Agent. Publishing Houses are bombarded with all sorts of manuscripts on a daily basis and are the "Gods" in this world. If a manuscript is not presented in a certain way it goes straight in the trash can regardless of who it has come from. Also there is always the delete button on email systems.
I speak from a lot of experience in dealing with Literary Agents and Publishers. I have had two of each both English and American and I had to fire both of them for many reasons. My background in writing and thoughts on writing can be found all over struggling authors, but I'm still hanging in there.
That is one side of the coin....
The other side is.... if you think your writing is worthy of publication never NEVER EVER give up. Yes get disillusioned from time to time but don't lose the faith my friend. The Literary Agent you send your MS too may not be looking for your type of material. However....... the next one may be !!!

Having said all that we are all here to help one another and Lord knows Richard Sammi and CQ have propped me up many times.

So I wish you the best of luck and stay in touch with S.A.

Thanks Mad Tree.

I will take your advice and purchase this book. Maybe even tomorrow. I appreciate what you have told me. Believe it or not that has been a great help.

Maybe someone could advise on Agents, will this book tell me where to find agents? Or can anyone let me know where to look.

Many thanks


Dave

Hiya
MAD TEE here
Well I'm glad it helped.
On page 393 of mine there is a heading called...........
LITERARY AGENTS AND HOW TO FIND THEM.
Any notable agent of worth is in there and it's not confined to English agents either.
Also every publisher worth their salt so to speak.
It isn't set out in chapters as such - just headings.
If you have any sort of question on writing the answer will be in there.
This is why most of us use it.
Keep wriing and stay in touch with SA as to how it's going. We will always help if we can.

Hi Dapper,

Firstly, welcome and yes, you presume correctly - the site is to help those of us struggling to get a book published. (Some of us have already had a modicum of success with short stories, getting signed with agents etc so feel free to ask away).

My advice is to write as much as you can and then, when you are happy with the first few chapters, publish what you have so far on a 'peer critique' site such as YouWriteOn or Authonomy. In my own experience, the feedback I have received (both positive and negative) has been invaluable and has fine-tuned my writing style and allowed me to gain fresh perspectives. (I even had a very negative review which actually - and I'm sure accidentally - gave me a great 'hook' for later on in the novel!). Like publicity, there's no such think as bad feedback - as long as you realise it's not personal and these people want you to succeed.

Best of luck with your work


Richard

YouWriteOn can be found here > www.youwriteon.co.uk
Authonomy is here > http://www.authonomy.com/

Hi Dave,
once you've finished your book, before you start sending it off to agents and publishing houses you might want to check up on their credibility.
I use the web site, "Predators and Editors", (Google it).
There are so many unscrupulous sharks out there, you have to be careful.
Good luck with writing it first though, eh? lol.