Listen up writers, publishers and future authors. Today I will share with you information that will help you along your way to becoming published authors.
The first thing need to do is COPYRIGHT YOUR MATERIAL. If you have ever seen the movie "Secret Window" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363988/plotsummary starring Johnny Depp, you would know why this is important. Also NEVER send an original copy to ANYONE!
One of the most important things you have to do in order to be published with a major publishing house is to FIND an AGENT. Most major publishing houses will not even read your material if it is not delivered through an agent. A quick Google search should point you in the right direction. A legitimate agent will not charge you any money upfront. Nine out of ten manuscripts will be rejected, don't get discouraged! Instead, make sure your manuscript is sent to different publishing houses. Publishers have an overload of manuscripts, posibly into the thousands, sent to them daily.
If you wish to do your own publishing, Desktop publishing is especially for you. There are many websites that can help you do this. One thing to consider is you may need $3,000-$4,000 seed money. These site let you send in your manuscript and they put it together in book format and print it for you. Some will do minor editing and/or cover design for an additional fee.
After publishing your work you will need to promote it. Barnes and Nobles is a pretty good place for this. Call them and set up a book signing. Also join book clubs. Contact book clubs and libraries to set-up book signings. If your book is geared towards a paticular subject like religion or fitness you may want to have a book signing at a church or a fitness center. If your self published book starts gaining attention, the big companies will come to you, or you could just send your book to Oprah. (Don't even think about it because she has an agent that screens everything that is sent so there is a good chance that she will never see it)
Here are a few other helpful tips:
• Ask college students and professors for help
• It helps if you are already published in magazines, journals, newspapers, etc.
• Never let family and friends read your work if you want real feedback
• If approached by a major publishing company, negotiate value and price (try to get royalties, majors usually offer one flat price and offer no royalties)
• Look into foreign markets (if it is a cultural book it may stimulate others to read)
• Children’s literature is in high demand (remember you will need a good artist)
The last thing to take into consideration, especially if you are self publishing, TITLES SELL! Try to capture the reader’s attention with a great title. Many readers have a short attention span, so if your title is too long or boring, they will not give it a chance. What title catches your eye: "The incarceration of the late great honorable Reverend Smith" or "Preaching from Prison?"