Hello, everyone!
For what it's worth, I'd like to post some helpful links.
First, a word about copyrights:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58845
Short version: you don't have to pay money to get a copyright.
NOW, on to the good stuff!
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SELF PUBLISHING
If you would like to self-publish, no one beats Lulu. There, you call the shots. It's free if you make your manuscript an E-book, and cheap if you want to hold a nice, shiny book in your hands.
Here's the link:
www.lulu.com
Now, lately I've been hearing that Amazon's self publishing wing is pretty good, too. Can't personally vouch for them, but they look interesting.
Here's the link:
http://www.createspace.com/
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E-PUBLISHING
I've looked around the web, and I haven't found a better source for info on E-publishers than Piers Anthony's site.
Here's the link:
http://www.hipiers.com/publishing.html
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SMALL PUBLISHERS
Small publishers don't require that you have an agent or any prior sales. They are often open to submissions, and generally pay a decent commission but no advance. Here is a discussion of small, reputable publishers:
Link:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42735&highlight=pro...
But I highly recommend checking Predators and Editors for possible small publishers:
Link:
http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/
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LARGE PUBLISHERS
To get a large publisher, you'll need to get an agent. To get an agent, you'll need to learn how to write a query letter.
Here's a link on how to write a query:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59255
Here's a couple of sites where you can find reputable agents:
http://www.agentquery.com/
http://www.querytracker.net/
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TWO THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND BEFORE YOU SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE:
(1) NEVER pay money to an agent or publisher. The only exception to this is when you are knowingly going through a self (or vanity) publisher. Even then, don't pay much. Money flows toward the author, not away.
(2) GOOGLE your potential publisher/agent. Check them at Preditors and Editors, Hi Piers, and Absolute Write.
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Best of luck, Wrimos!!
Originally posted by The_McCalls on Nov 14, 2007 - 15:59
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Heather Dudley
Forums Moderator - Broke? You can still donate!
Couldn't verify your winning novel? Contact the general hotline for help.
50,315 / 50,000
Nov 7, 2008 - 05 18
Thank you for that!
21,377 / 50,000
Nov 9, 2008 - 05 39
I wouldn't have said lulu was the best place for self-publishing. Sure, you don't have to pay any money for it, but you get no help with editing, cover art and things like that. There are a lot of printers that do self-publishing that will offer help with these areas (for a fee, of course, but unless you're an expert or know someone who is, it's probably worth it).
As with most self-publishing, there's no quality control. A lot of the stuff on lulu is really quite bad and I can see why it hasn't found a traditional publisher. The buyers for bookshops know this. The people who decide what to stock in the high street shops don't have time to read every book to see if it's any good. If they see a book's been published with lulu, they're not going to stock in on the off chance that someone with talent has written it; they're going to use the shelf space for something that's gone through a method of publication that's slightly more refined in its choice.
That's a danger with any form of self-publishing; it can be difficult to get it into the shops. But if you go with lulu, I'd say difficult becomes "next to impossible."
Yes, people can buy copies on the website, but I doubt even the best book would sell more than a handful of copies.
I could be wrong, but I think that people are more likely to buy, stock or review your book if you go through a publisher that's a little more choosy or which offers support for distribution.
61,602 / 50,000
Nov 14, 2008 - 11 53
First, let me say I made the mistake and published my first novel through Publish America. I recommend STAYING AWAY from this company. They not only changed sentence structure, spelling, and formatting in my book, I have received absolutely NO royalties, even though I have found USED copies for sale all of the place.
Second, I just checked out the recommended CreateSpace as a publishing option. After reading through their blogs and finding numerous complaints I have decided to also STAY AWAY from them. I didn't find a single GOOD comment about them from previous and current authors.
50,179 / 50,000
Nov 25, 2008 - 21 48
I have the vague impression you do not speak from your own experience. Am I right? If no, do tell. For a writer that is putting up her own book tour, POD could be a good solution. I can buy ten copies more or less of my book and take it to my activity. In the past I had to print 500 books, and spend the money up front. Sometimes you can not do that type of investment. Plus you have 500 copies of your book sitting on your house. I'll keep in mind your advise and I'll be careful with book design and production. But Lulu's statistics are 900,000 hits per week. What ever that means.
51,710 / 50,000
Nov 30, 2008 - 21 00
^^ Thank you, D/C.
Just thought I'd throw this out there... If anyone's looking for an agent, then the Association of Authors' Representatives is very reliable. www.aar-online.org