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I'm writing a book...
Posted Fri, 06/11/2010 - 07:59 by chuck
... or two
A few weeks ago I started writing some stuff just for myself. It's my way of taking an emotional dump (in case you hadn't noticed).
Yesterday, I looked at it, and it was good. There's a lot of juice in them there pages, juice that could nourish others. It's not really blog material, but, I realized, it could make a great book.
So now it's being written that way. Problem is, I know nothing of the publishing business except that it is in the toilet like everything else. What good is a book if nobody reads it?
That won't deter me, though. Let's just write the thing and worry about distribution later. If it ends up getting out there somehow, I'm sure a lot of people will enjoy it. Of course, that may be true of (literally) 10 million words I've left scattered in notebooks, on hard drives, CDs, DVDs and floppy disks over the years.
*sigh*
Asking for advice from the small but loyal group of regular readers:
Anybody know anything about getting published when nobody knows who you are? That's the thing I've always run into any time I've shopped my material:
"We love it, but who the heck are you? We don't think it will sell because you're not already famous."
My whole life has been one big Catch-22.
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Comments
I don't know either
Don't give up though - that's exactly the same way Ted Kennedy wrote his book True Compass - by going through all of his notes, journals, computer files - good that you kept them all. I bet someone in our group will know. Good for you - and once published I will buy a copy. I just finished reading a book my PCP wrote - it was about the holocaust - I couldn't wait to get to the end - it was very sad and depressing not a good book to read when a person is already depressed but I told him I was going to read it and wanted to get that done before my next appt.
Just keep writing
I'm a writer too, and yes, the publishing biz is in bad shape. Concentrate on writing, check out sites like writer's digest, go to writers' conferences, etc. Good Luck, keep us posted!!
Check
The day I stop writing is the day I die... actually the day after I die.
Don't have the cash for writers' conferences but I think I might try to find an agent.
Thanks for the encouragement.
When life hands you sh*t, make fertilizer.
good luck
You're in or near NYC, right? Seems like there are lots of good agents in that area. you might also try submitting to contests, some of them have good cash prizes. I won 1st prize in a local short story contest, the $$ money wasn't much, but it was a helluva boast to my ego. Good Luck!!!
Publish a book - here is a link with info
http://www.searchforpublishers.com/quickstart12.asp?code=A2Y-CPC80801-Pu...
Thanks!
Bookmarked.
When life hands you sh*t, make fertilizer.
make yourself more visible
Just make it look like you're somebody. Amass some credentials. Join professional organizations related to your subject matter. Try to get some articles, essays, etc published in ANY publication, for free. Give some free workshops, seminars, related to your subject, at local colleges, businesses. Get some testimonials. This might be a little costly, but you could try to get some certifications that will look impressive next to your name. List all these things in a little press release about yourself. There are a lot of people out there who have made fortunes by making themselves look like an expert. The only thing that they have that the rest of us don't are big cajones. I'm not suggesting being a complete charlatan. You have to ultimately be able to deliver.
HTH - good luck. Even if nothing comes of it, your writing is a good thing.
Thanks, but I don't want to play that game
I'm pouring all my energy into writing the best book. If somebody publishes it, then I'll worry about promoting it.
When life hands you sh*t, make fertilizer.
you misunderstood...
this is to help you get it published. Could help key ppl take a second look. But yes, first you need something good to publish.
Writing a book? So am I
Go to the library and look at a copy of "Writers Digest". Look at the "Writers' Market on the internet. Some of this stuff you will have to pay for, but if you're serious it's the way to go.
There are two very good websites for writers "The Ne
xt Big Writer" and "Scribophile". Lots of information on those sites. (there was one other that I got off Scribophile, but I unsubscribed to it and I can't remember the name.
The writingg sites ares valuable for not only publsihing info, but people will critique your writing in exchange for critiquing others--most sites go on a points sysstem.
If you are really serious about being published, Writers' Market is definitely the best place to start.
Once you get there, here are the steps you follow to find an agent (always go through an agent)
Query letter
Synopsis
There are a lot of "how to" sites for writing these. Amazon is also full of cheap reference materials for writers.
Then you cross your fingers and hope for the best. If you get turned down, try another agent.
Good Luck
PS
Do not self publish
If you think you can't do it you may be right
Getting a book published
I don't know if you read my comment, but I want to encourage you to find a wriing group in your town. It's important to get feedback and get your work critiqued, I learned that by finding out I was making a lot of mistakes in my writing, but it seemed like 90% of the people who tore it apart also said I had a good story and to stick with it.
Once again, go to the Writer's Market site on the web. Also, subscribe to Wrilter Digest, on line. You can also go to the library and find it there. It has a weealath of information about agencies and publishers to contact.
And don't give up. JK rowling sent her first Harry Potter book to 13 different publsihers before someone accepted it. So there is hope.
And I'd really like to emphasize the importance of getting your work critiqued by aomeone who can give you ehlpful advice.
I am getting my first story published on a small e-zine in September. I got turned down by about five other publications before I got accepted.
Writing a book involves more than you think it does, I am finding out that about mine. I got the first 200 pages written, so I'm at the point wwhere I have to finish and re-write, then start submitting. Lots of helpful stuff on the web about the process.
Good luck and feel free to ask me questions.
Marty