Help ~FF~ Get Her Book Published!

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 5/25/06 at 8:18pm

Hey everyone!

I know I've been gone for awhile, but I have good reasons. I just graduated from college with a degree in Theatre (yay!). Now, I'm writing a book. And I need your help.

It is not a work of fiction. It's more of a guide/help book. I have no idea how one goes about getting an agent and a publisher and all that whatnot. Any help you could provide would be most appreciated.

Lots of love,

~FF~

[ckeaton]

Posted: 5/25/06 at 8:20pm

I know we have some individuals on the board that are well connected with some of the larger publishing houses.

The good news is that in today's printing environment, there are many opportunities to publish at all sizes and scales.

I may be wrong, but I think the first step is to finish the book, then mail it to your fabulous connections on the board, and the specialty houses.

I'll buy a copy. :)

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/25/06 at 8:30pm

Yes, have you finished?

[etoile]

Posted: 5/25/06 at 8:31pm

I would go to a message board for writers looking to be published, then ask there.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 5/25/06 at 9:06pm

Another important step:

http://www.copyright.gov/register/performing.html

The great thing is that in this digital age, you can probably publish and sell it yourself. You could even look into selling downloads of it online.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 5/25/06 at 9:07pm

I'm glad copyright isn't as expensive as a patent. The nearly $1000 almost makes patents inacessible to the common person. Wanna give us a blurb ~ff~?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 8:30am

That is great!

If I were you I would post a chapter here for us to see! As CKeaton said there are a few high powered publishers on this board...not to mention names and put those people in an awkward position or anything. Is it a self-help book? (How to Lose Your Virginity and Not be a Sinner?) Motivational inspiration? (Fridays with Flowery?) Or perhaps a how-to? (How to Take Advantage of Anonymous People You Meet on the Web?)

Give us a teaser!

Updated On: 5/26/06 at 08:30 AM

[ckeaton]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 9:02am

No one is naming any names, however, if those people would like to step forward and offer advice based on their experiences they are free to do so in the privacy of Private Message without exposing themselves to the greater public.

Your negativity is continually unappreciated.

Updated On: 5/26/06 at 09:02 AM

[Magical_Ms._Mistoffeles_72]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 12:34pm

Best of luck to you ~FF~!!!
I will buy it, no question. Whats the title?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 2:19pm

Your negativity is continually unappreciated.

If that comment was directed at me I wasn't being a Negative Nellie. In fact I believe I was being very positive and supportive.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 2:24pm

How to Take Advantage of Anonymous People You Meet on the Web?

Who's a negative Nellie? You are going to lose some of you smile points with that attitude missy.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 2:42pm

That is a real book, by the way written by Captain Obvious!

[ckeaton]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 2:44pm

Did he get a copyright?
I thought he published a cookbook?

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 4:41pm

My working title is one of the titles on the list below. Just imagine that whichever one disgusts you the least is the one that I'm writing.

- Celeste Rhymes with Molest: Things to Consider When Naming a Child

- Fistfuls of Half-Eaten Roses: Analyzing Poetic Imagery in Punk Rock and Emo

- Fake Ideas: Faking Illness, Faking Your Own Death, Fake I.D.s, and Other Ways to Get Out of Tricky Situations

- But a Duck's Quack DOES Echo: How to Identify Urban Legends

- What Can You Do with a B.A. in Theatre: A Guide to Avoiding the Fast Food Industry

- Beyond Margaritas and Mojitos: Drink Recipes for the New Millenium

- Online Messageboards and You: How to Make the Most of Your Weekend

- The Life of the Party: How to Live Like SueleenGay

Updated On: 5/26/06 at 04:41 PM

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 5:35pm

Oh, and to answer another question...
No, I haven't finished writing it yet.

http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/publishbook/publishbook.html
On that website it says not to finish the book before getting an agent... so I thought I'd ask around on here if that was true.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 7:24pm

That appears to be a very valid process. I hope that someone who really knows what they're talking about has gotten in touch with you.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 8:46pm

FF, if you need some good pictures for the book let me know. I have a few from the Drama Desk awards that will really show your readers how to have a good time and Swing with Sueleen! (a title I was contemplating until I read yours, which is much better. Which is why YOU are the writer.)
And let us know, also, if you hear from any of the high profile publishers (not naming names, of course) that post on this site.

I think you should have a photo of you with your knockoff LV bag on the dust jacket. JMO

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 10:20pm

FF -

1) Post your question on MediaBistro.com's Beginners forum.
2) Look through the 2006 Deluxe edition of The Writer's Market for agents and publishing houses/imprints that might be interested in your book. There is a similar book that strictly lists agents. Check that out, too.
3) Go to a major bookstore (Borders, Barnes and Noble, etc) and look at the acknowledgments page for books similar to your own. See what agents the authors are thanking. Query those agents. Be able to describe your book and its marketability in one sentence.
4) Because it's nonfiction, you don't have to finish writing it before some agent accepts it. However, if you've never been published before - whether for a book or a magazine article - you may find it especially difficult to attract an agent with an incomplete book. So, it may be a good idea to finish writing the book if you haven't already.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 11:24pm

Evelyn's comments are 100% on the money. All I'll add is:

Be able to describe your book on paper first in 3 sentences, then in 3 paragraphs, and then in 30 pages.

The 3 sentences should be concise and compelling. The 3 paragraphs should explain the idea fully as well as your qualifications for writing it. The 30 pages (double-spaced, 12-point type, 1-inch margins) should demonstrate your writing style.

Consider those 3 things your broomsticks of the Wicked Witch of the West: Don't contact anyone professionally until you have honed those until you are proud of them.

And what Evelyn said about completing the manuscript is correct. You are an unknown author with no "platform" for publicizing your book. It will probably not sell unless you complete it.

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 5/26/06 at 11:41pm

Thank you so much! I knew you guys would steer me in the right direction. You've been very helpful, and I appreciate your taking the time to give me advice. I send you all internet hugs. :)

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 5/27/06 at 12:14am

Even me?

Now let's see three sentences...

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 5/27/06 at 3:16am

Yes, even you Sueleen.

As for the three sentences, you'll see them when you buy my book.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 5/27/06 at 3:25am

Dang, that's one short book!