I need advice from a published writer!!

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   Song-Birdposted 15 years ago

   I need advice from a published writer!!
   
   After about a year in the making, I have finally finished a children's novel...now what?  Would it be better to find an agent to work through or just submit my work straight to the publishers.  I have a Writer's Market book listing publishers that will take non-agented material.  Does anyone have experience with this?

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2. 61

   shirleybillposted 15 years ago

   Writers Market is a very good resource to have on hand.
   You can submit your book mss, straight to the publishers, without having an agent. Sometimes, an agent, if not doing  their job properly, can actually do more harm than good.
   Submit your mss to at least three publishers at a time. It may take more or less to actually get published.

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3. 66

   Ladybird33posted 15 years ago

   Go to blog; so you want to be published, excellent information.
   
   I think the website is http://soyouwanttobepublished.blogspot.com I use to have it programed in my favorites but I got a new computer...so I lost all my favorites. ugh.

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4. 0

   boppsterposted 15 years ago

   Why not self publish with Blurb and list it their store?  The software is easy and free to use and book prices are very cheap but good quality.  You have your own online store page for free also.  You set your own price.  They take care of orders, printing and shipping.  Order a few  copies for yourself (at cost) to use as a marketing tool to send to the big time mass publishers.
   (Your book will stand out among the mounds of manuscript)
   
   In the meantime, at least you will have a finished copy of your hard work and will be able to sell a book to someone who wants to buy one without having to put up any cash.  Blurb will send you a check for whatever your markup price is.  The goal is to get published.  Once published, you can market it.
   
   
   
   I just wrote a hub about Blurb
   
   http://hubpages.com/hub/Free-Bookmaking … m-Blurbcom
   
   good luck

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5. 0

   HSPrincessposted 15 years ago

   One thing to ask is rather you are hoping to make a lot of money or not?
   
   An agent will get you the best deal ever (if you find a good one) but that means you'll have to share anywhere from 10-20% with them. That's where your check will be sent, they'll take out theirs and send you the rest.
   
   Depending on which publisher you get, a lot of production might not go into your book, unless it's deem as a real seller. Your book might get publish, get into a bookstore and that's that. It'll be up to you to advertise and promote your book. If the publisher does it, again it be something small that will come out of the profit you'll make.
   
   Because it is your first book, I'll say go with self-publishing first. This will allow you to do things your way. A lots of work but you control everything. Don't print out about 100 books, keep it small 10 or 20 to start. Present at local bookstore around your neighborhood, library, schools, and etc...
   
   This will help you establish readers, and also let you know how marketable your book really is.
   
   After that, you can re-edit your book base on the feed back and reviews you get. Then maybe you can go to a publisher. A lot of attention doesn't go into first books. Haven't you notice how most authors end up reprinting their old books, once they have publish about 10 books. You think it's a new book only to find out that when you look at the edition, copyright, or printing history, it shows copyright 1998....
   
   Self-publishing is not easy, what you put in is what you get out. A lot of writers started this way, then from word of the mouth and success, ended up with a big publisher.
   
   If you have more questions or looking to promote your book, visit http://www.heavenskyy.com for more information.

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