[crich70]

I'm not a professional writer either but I have learned some things by reading about the business. I've put my comments in after your questions. Hope they will be of some help.

Originally Posted by WBW

Good morning All!!

On this great forum I've found a lot of advice specifically for ebooks. What I'm looking for is some sort of more general guide, about publishing in general. I have a few questions, which I believe a lot of people have when they first consider writing a book.


1) How to choose the right publisher: if I choose to go to a publisher, how do I choose? The obvious method is to look at who publishes books on the same topic as what I'm writing and approach them. Any other suggestion? Should I start with the big names and move down until someone accepts my book (if ever)?

I'd look up which publishers accept a given genre (if writing fiction) and what their submission guidelines are. Some accept submissions that you are also sending to other publishers and some don't.

2) How to increase the probability that my book is accepted: is there some sort of "code of good manners" when approaching a publisher? I have never even met anyone working in book publishing. Are you supposed to send them an email with a pdf? Mail them a printout? Schedule a meeting in person and give it to them? Also, people say that, when you look for a job, going through the traditional channel (CV submission on the website, etc...) is not as effective as going through one's personal network. Does the same apply to book publishing? Should I avoid sending emails to unknown publishers and focus my efforts on reaching someone in book publishing through friends of friends?

Again look at the publisher's guidelines. Some want a manuscript through an agent and some accept unagented ones. Also it's best to consult a current Writer's Market book as editors do leave or retire sometimes and some publishers have different editors for different genre's.

3) How to negotiate with a publisher: I know that first time writers can expect a VERY little share of the price (2%-5%). Is this information updated? Did the presence of Google Books and Amazon make this number go up a little bit? In addition, because of my position as witness of some events (see below, point 5), I believe I can get a little more. Does it make sense?

Generally the traditional publishers have the percentage of royalties listed in their guidelines. As a new writer I'd think you would have little chance of negotiating a larger advance, etc. unless your book was really good. Stephen King didn't get 10 million advances when he started out. He worked his way up from book to book.

4) The most difficult question. Is it worth going to a publisher? I mean, I'm sure their distribution network, credibility, etc... is a lot higher than mine, but still, the share of the pie they take is huge. Getting 5% vs. 50% means that, before the publisher's services are worth what they cost, my book must sell 10 times as much as it would do if I just published it on Amazon. Or, even more "independent" way: I set up my own website, where you can either download my story as an ebook or order a shipment of my p-book, which I have produced by a printing company. I buy a bunch of Google Adwords and advertise my website and there I go.

Generally I'd guess that that is a personal choice now days. You may be able to keep your digital rights (ebooks) and publish first through a traditional publisher. Certainly they do have more resources, but you will still have to do some things to promote your book yourself. They won't go on talk shows and talk about your book or sign copies for you at a book signing for example. That's part of the author's job.

5) Asking for feedback & protecting your book: I'll start with an introduction. I believe the value of my book is not in my "beautiful" writing (I studied a bit of literature, but I'm far from a professional writer), but in the events that are described in it. In the recent past I've been involved (together with a lot of other people) in events that ended up in the press (especially the sector-specific press) and I believe that the story from my perspective would be of some interest. I'm planning to publish it anonymously for privacy reasons. So here's the question: I'd love to have some people read it and give me their comments before publishing it. However, what prevents them from writing the story with different words and publishing it anonymously themselves? Is there a way to protect my work?

Before worrying about protecting your work I'd make sure that you haven't written something that someone else might consider libel. The editor of most publishing offices would be involved in that to an extent I would think if said publisher wanted to publish your book. I mean no one wants to get sued. That said as I understand it the minute you write a book it is copyrighted to you. At least that's how it is here in the U.S.

OK, I believe I wrote enough bullshit for today. Any help from people who know something about all this would be extremely appreciated.

Thanks! Merry Christmas!

A wannabe-writer

Merry Christmas to you as well.