Question

Does anyone have some advice on publishing a book?

Answer 1

1. Proof read your book.
This is important. You may want to higher someone to read your book, and find any errors or places you can make improvement.

2. Find an illustrator.
You want to have some original cover art for your book.

3. Add a synopsis and a table of contents.

4. Make the 1st edition of your book, with a front and back, and find a publisher.

You need a good book. There are no, "tricks," to publishing a book.
Good writers = good content
Bad writers = bad content.

Publishers will not risk their merits to publish under their name if they believe your book is lacking in content. A good writer just "knows" how to write. There are no tricks.

However, just because you may get rejected doesn't mean you're a bad writer. Keep modifying your book and try again. Revision are important. Try various publishers before you revise your book.

You may also want to speak with @e.mccormick . While I've written several books, I've never attempted to publish them, unlike Eric.

Answer 2

I have a book of about 20+ poems, this is the 1st time i am going to attempt to publish.

Answer 3

Thank you for your advice @Compassionate

Answer 4

I never said I had books published. I may have mentioned that I hand bind them.

You can do self publishing very cheaply these days. However, that does not necessarily promote the book.

Answer 5

okay cool thanks

Answer 6

@e.mccormick , didn't you say you've attempted to publish a book before?

Answer 7

I agree with @Compassionate - Good content = Good book, it's that simple.

However, promotion is the hard part. You might want to try a crowd-sourcing solution like https://www.inkshares.com/, its the best implementation I've seen yet, it also tries to tackle promotion as well.

Answer 8

thanks :D

Answer 9

Good advice, @dumbsearch2

Answer 10

Thanks @Compassionate

Answer 11

Thank you both

Answer 12

Gah your stupid picture @dumbsearch2 My eyes are watering >.<

Answer 13

haha

Answer 14

@Compassionate nope. Someone here said they would like to publish my stuff. I replied that I probably had enough for a book, but it was in multiple files on different computers.

Answer 15

none of my work is on my computer its all either in my head or in a notebook somewhere

Answer 16

Um ...

Answer 17

Well, you will need it in electronic form to get it published these days.

Answer 18

Darn that will take days. My friend is drawing the picture for the cover. How would I get it on my computer?

Answer 19

@SnowCrystal scan it

Answer 20

thanks

Answer 21

Or manually type it... Which would suck

Answer 22

i agree

Answer 23

You should write the book first.

Answer 24

Yeah, this thread is getting silly quickly:
"none of my work is on my computer its all either in my head or in a notebook somewhere"

You can not publish a book from your head, magically :p

Answer 25

lol Ik I wish I could that be awasome!

Answer 26

I just finished writing my book the other day

Answer 27

Publishing a book isn't easy and it doesn't happen overnight. It takes years and years of hard work. :-/ sadly. You will need to look into finding your self a professional editor. And you'll need to let go of your favorite parts in your book. A publishing company may like what you have but they may not like certain parts of your story that you need to take out. - this happens to every single writer. ( I speak from experience and talked to writers such as Lauren Child, Gail Carson Levine, Wendy Mass, etc. ) I walk in the publishing companies as an illustrator for independent authors and I know how hard it can be but the one thing is - don't give up, keep writing.

here are a few companies you can look into that you might find helpful -

-CreateSpace (a self publishing company for independent authors. You will be fully under control of what happens in the publishing process) - https://www.createspace.com/
the downfall- you will not have your work be distributed in local bookstores- you would have to promote your own work.

-AuthorHouse (another self publishing company for independent authors) - http://www.authorhouse.com/default.aspx although
Now this company I really don't recommend but its still good to look into this company to see if you think it's a right publisher for you. The reason why I don't recommend it is because the last author I illustrated for lost over $600 working with them. - so keep that in mind.

-WritersCafe (an online publishing of your work where other writers and poets can view your work and critique you.) This place is more if you wanna test the waters/ if you are wondering if other people like what you have. - http://www.writerscafe.org/

Before you can go into the big publishing companies you'll need to find an agent that can work with you. Most big companies wont take unsolicited work without an agent. And not to mention a book of poems. It' very sad to say that publishing companies are not looking for poets now a days. :( But don't get discouraged! You can be creative and if your work is truly good you can make it through to the large publishing companies. My advice to you - look into making a book full of poems for children with pictures and stuff kinds like Shel Silverstein- it would catch the eye of a lot of publishers and it will be in demand. I wish you the best of luck! - and if you have any questions just let me know! :)

Answer 28

Thanks for the awesome advice!!! If I can find it I wrote an actual book a few years back it's on a flash drive somewhere...I appreciate your advice thank you!!!

Answer 29

you're most very welcome! :)