McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

What’s the best way to get your book published?

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Starbeam:
Rusch and Michael Stackpole both have interesting things to say about publishing.    And posting the link is no more a can of worms than the original post.  It's one of those things that's currently a big debate.

meg_evonne:
I've heard that Michael A Stackpole isn't a good example. He has a known and extensive library with a name that is known and a following as well.

Personally, I have decided to work through the traditional means. I write to write, and I study to improve. If I can't get an agent interested, then so be it.

trboturtle:

--- Quote from: meg_evonne on June 05, 2011, 03:48:44 PM ---I've heard that Michael A Stackpole isn't a good example. He has a known and extensive library with a name that is known and a following as well.

Personally, I have decided to work through the traditional means. I write to write, and I study to improve. If I can't get an agent interested, then so be it.

--- End quote ---

One word of advice: if you do get a contract, have a Lawyer specilizing in IPs to go over it before you sign it --- because they're putting in all sorts of clauses in them these days that benifit them and not the authors -- E-books rights, getting a percentage (In the case of agents) on all the author's work even if the author is no longer being repersented by that agent, or other little things that robs the author of rights and money.

These days, the Author has to have some business savvy, or else end up loosing a lot of money and some rights. The business is changing. Best to be aware of it, so you don't get caught wrong-footed.

Craig

KevinEvans:
The best way to get published is to submit the work and then go write something else. Kind of like popcorn, you don't make and eat it one kernel at a time.

Aside from that you can sell with out an agent, but once you have an acceptance query agents (saying that you have a sale) and get them to do the contract. Publishing law is exotic, it need an expert to keep you from getting burned.

On a side note, self publishing is no longer as stigmatized as it once was, non the less side stepping the gate keepers dumps you in to the jungle, where you are just one more leaf in brush. Standing out is the key, especially in the new era of the $.99 Dreadful.

Regards,
Kevin

Wordmaker:
My goal originally was to get an agent first, but I spotted am opportunity to get a publisher directly and I have no regrets. I have a good contract, considering I'm a first-time author, but I have a friend who works in marketing at a non-fiction publisher who looked over the contract for me before I signed, and I did my homework on the publisher themselves before even submitting. An agent will look after your interests in that regard for you.

It all comes down to what you want. I wanted traditional publishing because I want a professional editor to work with me to make my book the best it can be, and while I'm aware that ebooks are a hugely important side of the industry, I wanted to see physical copies of my books on shelves. I just don't have the funds to do all that on my own.

While you can self-publish very quickly, you need to remember that you're entirely on your own as regards marketing. Even Amanda Hocking has signed on with a publisher now because the work she had to do to market herself and her books was taking so much time away from her actual writing. Now, there is always a need for an author, especially a new author, to promote themselves as much as they can on their own, it will be that much easier with an agent or publisher helping you.

In general, my advice would be to seek traditional publishing, and an agent, as your first option. Sure, you'll earn a lower percentage per book sold than if you self-publish, but your odds of actually getting copies sold, and of your book being at a standard that will attract readers to the all-important second book, are usually higher with a publisher.

While you're doing that, start building your online platform. Start a blog, get on Twitter. Post on Absolute Write, join Goodreads. Look up Kristen Lamb on Twitter and her blog. She has a wealth of advice on using social media to promote yourself.

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