Getting a book published.

[aliveinHim]

How many of you writers out there actually had something published? How did you do it if you did?

[Atria35]

One of my friends had a book published last year. She went to an independent publisher to do it, since most major publishers won't give you a second glance. I can't remember which one it was- I'll update with that once I get back to my apartment. However,t he downside was that she needed to do the editing herself, and unfortunately she needed a better job than what she herself did.

[ChristianKitsune]

Lulu.com is a good start. It's a website that you have to pay to be published but I did a book cover for a client who used this and it looks really nice and professional.

[LadyRushia]

That depends on if you want to self-publish or go through traditional publishing and THAT depends on your goals for the project. Are you trying to start your career or just do it for fun?

With traditional book publishing, the process basically goes like this:
-submit your MS directly to the publication or a literary agent (this depends on their specs for submission. If a publisher says they don't take unsolicited manuscripts, you need an agent)
-when I say "MS" I really mean send them what they ask for. If they only want a synopsis and the first chapter, don't send them your entire story
-from there, the agent or publication will either accept your work or not. If they do, they might ask for the first 50 pages. After that, they might accept your whole manuscript or decline it

This website has some good articles about the pitching and publication process. Since the farthest I've ever gotten is having an editor interested in publishing one of my poems, I don't have much personal experience with these things.

http://www.sfwriter.com/agent.htm

[FllMtl Novelist]

That depends on if you want to self-publish or go through traditional publishing and THAT depends on your goals for the project. Are you trying to start your career or just do it for fun?

With traditional book publishing, the process basically goes like this:
-submit your MS directly to the publication or a literary agent (this depends on their specs for submission. If a publisher says they don't take unsolicited manuscripts, you need an agent)
-when I say "MS" I really mean send them what they ask for. If they only want a synopsis and the first chapter, don't send them your entire story
-from there, the agent or publication will either accept your work or not. If they do, they might ask for the first 50 pages. After that, they might accept your whole manuscript or decline it

This website has some good articles about the pitching and publication process. Since the farthest I've ever gotten is having an editor interested in publishing one of my poems, I don't have much personal experience with these things.

http://www.sfwriter.com/agent.htm

This. And before you submit anything, make sure that piece is the best it can be. That means giving it to others to read and listening to criticism. (Dealing with criticism/feedback is a whole 'nuther topic, actually. PM me if you want more information.) It means looking at the characters and plot first, and the grammar last. Neither will necessarily be fixed in one draft. Expect more than three drafts, more depending on your writing process, and even more if this is your first piece.

Also, don't assume your work is done upon signing a contract. No matter how polished your work is, the agent or editor will want some changes (which may be big or small, it's up to the individual's vision for your book). Don't expect your book to sell itself, take an active role in marketing (poke around for ideas). If you expect to make writing a career, writing the book is not the entire job.

[aliveinHim]

I'm writing my book for fun. I definately have a lot of people to help me edit it. I'm used to letting people criticize my work since I've taken classes on where people have to criticize my stuff. I know my book will probably have at least 10 drafts . Thanks for all your advice everyone .

[Alreadyish]

I have two manga I have self-published. I did all the work, making the manga, printing the manga, cutting the manga, binding the books....Yeah... It's a lot of work, but I love how if something goes wrong or if I noticed something wrong with a page I can always go back and fix it easy.~ There's a lot of downfalls to this though, like how it takes about a week to make 8 books. It's not for massive sales or anything. So limited books.~ Also not one page is the same since some of the edges cut can be a little less then personal. ^^; For my manga though, I like that feel. xD;;;