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Question: How does one go about publishing a novel!?
I'm not finished with it yet, but I'm not familiar with that end of the creative process!. Any ideas!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Step one, find an agent, a good one!. The links below are for that purpose!. Step two, do what the agent says!.!.!.!. they make a living getting you published!. You don't ignore the doctor when he says you need an operation, don't ignore the agent!.

Check the first three links first!. They are a list of warnings about the bad things that can happen to you!.

After that, take your time and check out the agent(cy) with the BBB and try to find at least a few satisfied customers!.

Good luck,
RavenWww@QuestionHome@Com

I answered this several times before, so here is copy :-

In order to prevent your work been thrown onto the slush-pile it must be presented in the most professional way you can!. See my bog http://ajbarnett-story!.blogspot!.com/2008!.!.!. to get the standard way to present!.

There is no guarantee they will read it even then, but without, it will be dismissed out of hand!.

It costs nothing to publish through conventional publishing houses!. If anyone asks for money, it's a scam - back away!.

You'll find a list of reputable publishers and agents in http://www!.writersandartists!.co!.uk/ Just pick one to suit your genre!. Not all publishing houses in the UK require agented submissions, check the list to be sure!. I understand publishers in the USA generally require you to use an agent!.

When you've selected a publisher, send a short, polite, letter of enquiry!.

Before you send the letter of inquiry, be absolutely certain you've tied all loose ends and make sure you've followed industry standards for presentation!.

Edit out ALL unnecessary pronouns and adverbs - nothing screams amateur more than overblown descriptions!. Most new writers feel they need to give full descriptions of everything in the book!. DON'T!. Sometimes what's left out says more than what's in!.!.!.!.

When you've cut, cut, and cut; when you've polished it until it glistens, write the letter to your chosen publisher!. Explain any experience you may have, the genre of the work, the word-count, and present a VERY short synopsis of about 100 words (see book blurbs for examples)!. Only present a full synopsis IF the publishing house asks you to submit the first three chapters!.

In terms of an agent - it's almost as difficult to gain acceptance with a reputable agent as a publishing house!. You must go through the same process!.

Join a writers circle such as http://www!.mywriterscircle!.com/ to see what other professionals think of your work - it's free and helpful!. The critiques are useful and generally honest - be warned!. The forums are friendly and informative!. I think you'll enjoy it!.

Hope this covers the things you wanted!.

Anthony James Barnett - author

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be sure to edit the living daylights out of your work before trying to publish it!. Then, you send out some queries to literary agents who are looking for material in your genre!. (Address them personally and tell them why they should accept your work) When an agent accepts your work they'll help you find a publisher and all that fun stuff!.
Good luck! Www@QuestionHome@Com

see im writing one too and im finding harder than it looks but after u finish it u have to edit and then send it to one of the major publishing companies!. thats all u have to do!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

One option is through self-publishing!. They have a detailed publishing guide here http://www!.xlibris!.com/requestkit/index!.!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com