Hey Guys! My auntie living in the UK asked me for advice. She has finished her first book couple of days ago and asked me for the most convenient arrangement publishing it. To be honest, I have no clue what to say exactly as I'm not quite experienced in this field. The main thing to think of first is to choose between self-publishing sources or publishers focused hereby on new authors. She is already an elderly lady and not really a techy person. So I would go for a publisher in the first moment. What are your experiences? What can you recommend me? Thanks a lot!
I need some more info on this too actually. im 4 chapters away from finishing mine. ive done some research on the topic but its an unexperienced point of view. SUPPOSEDLY you send a summary of the book along with the first two chapters to different agents and the agents will get you in with the publishers who allegedly wont speak to you without an agent. the agent is free upfront and just takes a small but worthwhile fee from the outcome. good luck. I would lovesome first hand experience on this though
Another option is always a vanity publishing house ... and of course the rules are the same, have one or two chapters ready and make a short overview about what you want to write - like how should your characters evolve and things like that so that it is clear what you actually want with it: But I also recommend that some chapters have to be more or less completed to have a version of how you actually write. Did you ever did this - sent it to anyone? @ Hollowed Hermit: And you, did you already publish something?
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine was wondering about the exact same question Finding a publishing house, that accepts unknown writers like your auntie, is a very difficult thing to do… but someone recommended a publishing house called novum publishing back then, which is also specialised in unknown and inexperienced authors. They take care of all the important stuff for you, but wont make any decision without your permission… all you have to do, is to fill out a questionnaire, which contains issues about editorial report, graphics, layout and so on. In this way, they want to make sure, that they take your opinions and suggestions into consideration I am not expert myself, but I have read a lot about them/ their services and a friend of mine already got into touch with them… so, if you need any further information, don’t hesitate asking me
What exactly does it mean they are experts in unkknown authors? And you pay per thing you want as an extra, like re-read it. layout, graphics, etc.?
Well, that means that they are not only specialised in well known authors, but also in inexperienced writers, who haven’t published anything yet… It is kind of a cost-sharing thing, which means that you pay a small amount in the form of a lump sum payment and don’t have to pay extra for re-reading layout and so on therefore, you can choose between three different packages depending on your contract… but normally, those packages get customized depending on the quality of your manuscript. You also can decide about the date of publication and about an e-book version of your book. I hope this will help and if you want to know more about them and their services, you can always check them out in the Internet
Thank you very much for your detailed description, definitely a lot of information to think about. One more question come to my mind - how to contact them, do you just send your total manuscript or anything more? any tipps on that topic too? You seem like an expert just comin from heaven - haha!
Tallend, your avatar is mesmerizing me...i have been all about pink and white this month.....and that pink is awesome. What is that? I cannot make out what your avatar is,...but the color has me in a trance....lol
@HollowedHermit: what kind of book will it be at the end? @tallend: To be honest, we've never had that in mind as the general opinions towards vanity publisher are more or less quite ambivalent. Why should we try it? Can you tell me specific benefits? @HappyHelena: well, my auntie is quite depressed already as there are plenty of publishers out there, although of course not every single one is interested..So how to differentiate between realistic and reasonably priced provider? This publisher you mentioned is specialized on newbies. So is this their usp? I really hope to find the right address soon as my auntie is getting impatient ;-) Anyway, thanks a lot for all your informative answers until then!
Yeah, I do understand your auntie pretty much… getting rejected over and over again can be quiet depressing :/ but most of the publishing houses are simply afraid to accept an unknown and inexperienced writer like your auntie. Therefore, becoming a “real” and published author is a rather difficult thing to do and requires a lot of patience and preserverance… but you may not let problems get you down easily! So, first of all I would suggest you and your auntie to look through the website of Novum publishing: http://www.novum-publishing.co.uk/ you will find a lot of information relating to “the project” there This is also important, because you both need to know if the genre, in which your aunties book is written, fits into their publishing list (apparently, an inept genre is the main reason, why publishing houses reject writers!) As far as I know, they are specialised in unknown and inexperienced writers, but they also have a lot of well-known authors on their publishing list (if you look through their website, you may also find a list of prices they have already won ) Well, if your auntie is really getting that impatient, I suggest you both start researching and making some calls with them Good Luck and I hope, that you will tell us how things worked out!
@ Moonglow: Well is it pink sky underneath pink mountains - filtered or photoshopped all over I guess but anyway - I am also that fan of pink and lilac, and ever was! @ HackySackyBoy: it depends on what you want, as mentioned, there is always sombody doing a work and should be paid for that - and there should be a lot different way to publish for everyone accessible.
@HappyHelena: oh thanks a lot for your kind answer and recommendations! Well, getting rejected is definitely a normal process when trying to publish a book. Until now, she has not tried anything yet, that's why she asked me to find a suitable solution for her. This publishing house you mentioned is the same you mentioned in another thread right? My auntie still explores their website and tries to find an excuse not to start the long process of publishing. I guess, she is worried to get rejected or that somebody criticizes her work. Anyway, I hope that everything will work out fine - I will definitely keep up my research and will let you know what'a going to happen. ;-) Thanks a lot for your help!
Still trying to find an excuse - well, she should not and when she is even on their webpage she should contact them - do you know that it is UK-based? Thats maybe one important point to tell you, but they are very nice and helpful, so if she is a newly arrived author, that may be a good idea and a first step.
Oh, good to know - even better then. I will phone her anyways in the next couple of days, so hopefully she'll have some good news for me! Thank you a lot for your help and recommendations!
It depends what your aunt's purpose is. If she wants to become a know author and possibly develop a writing career, then she'll have to pay her dues and go for the publisher route. A lot of rejections, little feedback, and researching your market. Sometimes it just happens to be who is working the slush pile that day. If she just wants to have a book to share with people she knows and look at the results of her writing on a shelf, then go self publishing.
