Can you guide me a little about publishing a fiction novel/book?

1. 75

   Hunbbel Meerposted 13 years ago

   Can you guide me a little about publishing a fiction novel/book?
   
   I have asked this question on the forums in detail, but no one has answered it yet. 'Just ask Susan' told me that I should ask this question to you and you may help me. I am posting the forum link here, so that you may answer my question according to my situation and help me. I'll be very grateful
   
   FORUM LINK: http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/81394

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2. 60

   Merlin Fraserposted 13 years ago

   I suppose the simple answer is Yes I can give you some help and advice however I would like to know what country you are from and why publishing there is such a problem.
   
   Secondly, I need you to think long and hard about what you are going to do if and when your book is published.
   
   I am an Independent author and publisher, this means I self publish my own work via a 'Print on Demand' system.  What this means is that I am responsible for everything, having my work proof-read and edited by professionals.  Once I am satisfied the work is as good as it can be then I get a professionally designed picture to go on the cover.  Then and only then is the work ready to print or go for an E Book.
   
   Once it is printed or available via electronic means  I am responsible for selling the book and marketing the book to readers to generate sales.
   
   The alternative is to acquire a literary agent to represent you and put you into contact with a publishing company who will hopefully publish your book.
   
   However you need to understand two things;  To do that first your work needs to be of the highest standard it can be, this means if it is written in English then it must be grammatically correct and the spelling and punctuation must also be perfect.   Your work needs to be set out in a laid down format as prescribe by the agencies you are approaching.
   
   The second thing you need to understand is that trying to find a literary agent to take you on is extremely difficult, and you must steel yourself for many rejections.  This is not a reflection on your work it is just how the publishing business is.   There are literally thousands of writers out there trying to do exactly what you are trying to do and there are very few who make it.
   
   I do not say any of these things to put you off attaining your dream,  I do so, so that you may recognise the challenge set before you and the high possibility that you may not achieve your goal not through lack of talent but through lack of opportunity.
   
   I hope this answers at least some of your questions and given you much to think about before taking the next step.

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3. 75

   Hunbbel Meerposted 13 years ago

   I understood many of your points. The two alternatives also cleared my mind a lot. I thank you for your sincere suggestions. If you can post further answers in the forum (my question's post) than it will be possible to make the conversation going (it wont be allowed in the questions answers section, as you know).
   
   I would like to ask two things from your answer:
   
   1. "Once it is printed or available via electronic means I am responsible for selling the book and marketing the book to readers to generate sales"
   
   Selling and marketing a book by a novice with no name at all, will surely be a difficult task. I won't get many readers you know (Correct me if I am wrong please). Is there any possible and productive alternative to 'only' this one? (assuming that I was doing everything independently as you do, till the sales and marketing part)
   
   2. "Your work needs to be set out in a laid down format as prescribe by the agencies you are approaching."
   
   Does it mean that I cannot work on my novel until I get the prescription from the agencies? I assumed to work on it, complete it and then convince publishers to publish it? Should I not start writing in the way I thought it to be written?

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