Question Home

Position:Home>Books & Authors> How to get started on a Novel?


Question: How to get started on a Novel!?
I'm writing a novel, and I don;t know how to exactly how to get started to it getting published!. I read somewhere that agencies have to have a few chapters to get accepted!. By the way do you have to pay for them!? How long does it usually take for a book to get published!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
If you are a first-time author, you will need to write the whole novel before sending it out!. You can also do three chapters and an outline of the rest, but it's harder to sell it that way!.

Once it is finished and you are happy with it, you can either send it to an agent or a publisher!. Most publishers won't take a manuscript unless it comes through an agent, though!.

A lot of agencies have websites which will tell you what kinds of books they are looking for!. Google "literary agents" -- that'll get you started! You can also buy a copy of the new Writer's Digest in January -- it's expensive, but has a lot of useful information!.

Once you have finished the novel and found a list of likely agents, you will need to send out query letters!. Once they reply that they are interested, you send them the hard copy!. Do not send digital materials!.

It can take the agent as long as six months to read your manuscript!. Once they sell it, it usually takes at least a year from point of sale to when it actually comes out!.

You do not EVER pay an agent anything upfront, but they will take a 10% to 15% commission once the book sells!.

Good luck, and have fun!

Www@QuestionHome@Com

i think the first 2 (the 3rd answer is awesome and to the point) may have misunderstood your question!.!.!.

If you already have the novel written you can make many copies of it and send them through the mail (you can even send them through e-mail to alot of publishers) just make sure that the text is double spaced!.

don't worry if you get alot of rejects because it will happen!.

I once read that alot of the more popular writers were rejected many times before they got their foot in the door, just keep your head high!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

first think of the plot, the setting, the characters, then start imagining the other detailed stuff!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

"Once upon a time !. !. !."
Www@QuestionHome@Com