Anyone Here Into Writing And Got Published?

[Charlie911]

I am trying very hard to get some work published. I have 2 kids story books (and more to come) and my autobiography. The trouble is this. I'm a"nobody". I haven't climbed Everest, nor have I been shot by Moat. I'm just a normal guy who has been through immense pain and have writtem my suto to try to help other people realise that you can get through the real tough times. (Without all the god crap. Sorry, I don't mean to offend anyone here but at the same time because of the pain I've been put through I just cannot believe in god anymore.) BUT, I don't want this thread to become god related at all please. We can do that another time....

So, has anyone else got their work published?

[Charlie911]

Thanks QAZZZ.


The biggest problem appears to be This; to get published you need an agent. BUT, To get an agent you need to get something published...get it?
I've been told that my auto is very very well written and very interestin
g, but "go and save the mayor of London's life and we'll publish it tomorrow!" The problem is I'm an unknown. To which I say, well we all are to start with!

The only way really is to self publish. But then, being disabled, I can't get about to do the hard work of promoting it, which is what the publisher and agent does for you.

Kids books are very hard to write. At least short novels are. And yes of course I'll be happy to share the good news with you all if I do ever get published!!

[naomi24]

Get yourself a copy of the Writers and Artists Year Book. It gives some good advice. You simply have to persevere. If it's any consolation, Leslie Thomas sent his first manuscript to around 80 publishers before it was accepted - and even J K Rowling's first book was turned down a few times.

One thing I would say, though, is don't be tempted into vanity publishing (paying for your work to be pubished). If it's good enough, the publishers will pay you.

[naomi24]

I just read your comment about self-publishing. I repeat - DON'T. It will cost you several thousands of pounds, you'll end up with a dozen copies of the book, and you'll never see one for sale on the shelves in Waterstones or anywhere else. DON'T!!!!

[Charlie911]

Thanks naomi24. Yeah I do have the Writers Year books...dating back to the last 6 years! And no, vanity publishing is not the answer I quite agree. As somebody has already said, it's a catch 22 position.

All that hard work writing.... Taken me years!!

[saxy_jag]

All the above, EXCEPT ... self-publishing needn't cost you thousands. There's at least one company that will do it on a single-book basis and if you get the right company then you could have good deal. But you need to do your research and not get taken in by companies who tell you they'll make you into a bestselling author. Self-publish, and the person who does the promotional foot-slogging is you, no matter what fancy marketing package you buy. It can be rewarding and fun, but there's perhaps less than a one in a million chance you're going to make it big from this.

I think perhaps the best way of pushing yourself is to find some sort of unique selling point about YOU. You call yourself a 'nobody', but I bet you're not. Many people in seemingly mundane jobs and with seemingly mundane (but troubled) lives have written successful books about their lives, because there's something about those lives that have been interesting to others. You say you have given up on god. That's a bit of a hot topic these days and I for one would be interested in what you've got to say on the matter because I too have a far better life without it.

Maybe people are just fed-up with reading about the Jade Goodies and Gordon Ramseys of this world and, just for once, would like to read something about an ordinary bloke coping with a difficult life without having to resort to religion.

WAYB will has lots of listings of agents and publishers and what sort of work they're interested in. It also has a number of articles aimed at helping first-timers to succeed.

Good luck, and let me know when you're published.

[Charlie911]

Thanks saxy_jag , I sure will :-)

[mrs_nordling]

Why not try visiting www.firstwriter.com It's a subscriber web site which has ALL agents and publishers world wide. You'll be able to read comments left by other aspiring writers and choose which ones to contact as each has a list of genres they accept.

[Charlie911]

mrs_nordling: Thanks for that :-)

[mr_doubtfire]

I suggest you try www.epublishingonline.co.uk You may be able to get your books/autobiography published as an Ebook. Don't expect to make a fortune as Ebooks haven't really taken off yet. However, you could use the site as a platform with the hope that an agent or publisher of tangible books might pick it up and run with it.

[Veebird]

I tried to get started by writing short stories for magazines but they get something like 500 a day so it's very difficult. It's not just talent, or perseverance but an element of luck too. Watch out for competitions you can enter. I've done a bit of poetry for United Press and had it published. If accepted they send you a proof with a chance to buy the book at a discount which you don't have to and I never have but they are not expensive if you wanted to see your name in print it's one way to do it. Check them out online, there are usually several competitions running. The BBC have a new writers' website as well with lots of advice and they are not after your cash! Be careful of those who are.

[Charlie911]

Thanks for your help everyone. Of course anyone else who has any ideas that may help me please continue to post.


:-) to everyone