Entertainment & Music Novel publishing help

[The Passenger]

While an eBook does seem good, I just don't with it to be online and lose potential sales, and then go to a hard copy. Although, as a new author, it probably wouldn't make that much of a difference

I have no idea if the uni I go to creates their own papers, etc.

Well, you may as well try. You might as well

That could be a good way to go. I just don't like the idea of giving it away for free when I know it would be worth buying.

yeah that's fair enough... it all depends on the risk/reward sort of thing and which direction someone wants to go in...

but i wouldn't worry about people stealing your work... if you've posted it online on a forum or a web-site with reliable dating, then if anyone wanted to turn that into a hard copy it would be a blatant case of breaking copyright...

 

[BABYBOMBERS2007]

The publishing company you think worthy and suitable for your novel.
It may not work but who knows. If you have a good manner about you, you may get lucky and be surprised as to just who may put themselves out to help you.
This world hasn't completely deteriorated just yet, although it isn't too far away either.

Go for broke mate, and good luck.

Yeah, might as well. It pretty much will more than likely be just ane-mail anyway.
Yeah lol

Thanks

 

[BABYBOMBERS2007]

yeah that's fair enough... it all depends on the risk/reward sort of thing and which direction someone wants to go in...

but i wouldn't worry about people stealing your work... if you've posted it online on a forum or a web-site with reliable dating, then if anyone wanted to turn that into a hard copy it would be a blatant case of breaking copyright...

Hmm, that's a good point. I will still worry until it is patented, copyrighted, etc

 

[The Passenger]

i wouldn't man.... it's really the last of your worries.... if you want a reliable datemark for the document just send an e mail to your gmail/hotmail with it attached...

 

[BABYBOMBERS2007]

i wouldn't man.... it's really the last of your worries.... if you want a reliable datemark for the document just send an e mail to your gmail/hotmail with it attached...

True. Although I have saved a backup copy of my story (many times) on a USB. I'm sure that would tell me the date of creation of the document, and the last time it was edited.

 

[The Passenger]

you can alter dates on a computer. dates on an email server is much harder (maybe impossible, i'm not sure)...

anyway, that aside, as others have said i'd be putting far more effort into looking into getting it published than worrying about copyright. copyright is granted automatically and free in australia as long as you've got proof it's your original which should be pretty easy.

http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/get-the-right-ip/copyright/

 

[BABYBOMBERS2007]

you can alter dates on a computer. dates on an email server is much harder (maybe impossible, i'm not sure)...

anyway, that aside, as others have said i'd be putting far more effort into looking into getting it published than worrying about copyright. copyright is granted automatically and free in australia as long as you've got proof it's your original which should be pretty easy.

http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/get-the-right-ip/copyright/

Ah okay. Thanks for that link - it makes it a whole lot more clearer and better now

 

[CF]

The publishing company you think worthy and suitable for your novel.
It may not work but who knows. If you have a good manner about you, you may get lucky and be surprised as to just who may put themselves out to help you.
This world hasn't completely deteriorated just yet, although it isn't too far away either.

Go for broke mate, and good luck.

The publishing industry is brutal so don't expect anything when you deal with them. Don't get your hopes up at all. Nice fairytale post though

 

[HARKER]

The publishing industry is brutal so don't expect anything when you deal with them. Don't get your hopes up at all. Nice fairytale post though

It's not a fairy tale.

I wish I had a dollar for every time I got something done that others told me was not possible.
Every industry is brutal, but not every individual is. I've helped many people get their businesses started and you know why? Because I liked them, and I liked that they had what it took to make it.

Don't be too cynical my friend. You may be missing out on life, for your efforts.

 

[BABYBOMBERS2007]

I might as well go for the big ones. I have nothing to lose. And also remember this about Harry Potter "Rowling in her quest for a publisher. The book was submitted to twelve publishing houses, all of which rejected the manuscript.[43] A year later she was finally given the green light"

I bet they feel bad The point is to keep trying.

 

[CF]

It's not a fairy tale.

I wish I had a dollar for every time I got something done that others told me was not possible.
Every industry is brutal, but not every individual is. I've helped many people get their businesses started and you know why? Because I liked them, and I liked that they had what it took to make it.

Don't be too cynical my friend. You may be missing out on life, for your efforts.

So how many books have you got published using your method?


Like I said the best first step is to hire a freelance editor to assess your work. Costs a couple of hundred bucks. Once you have some expert feedback on your book from an objective source then you can decide your next step. They can also advise you on how to proceed (but remember they are out to make a quid too so be careful here as well).

http://www.editorsvictoria.org/find-an-editor/freelancers

http://www.publishers.asn.au/links.cfm?doc_id=63

Editors can advise you about the publishing process, brief designers, illustrators, photographers and printers, and supervise a project to ensure that the finished product is what you want and that it's delivered on time and within budget (if you want to self publish).

 

[CF]

I might as well go for the big ones. I have nothing to lose. And also remember this about Harry Potter "Rowling in her quest for a publisher. The book was submitted to twelve publishing houses, all of which rejected the manuscript.[43] A year later she was finally given the green light"

I bet they feel bad The point is to keep trying.

But also remember that for every JK Rowling there is like thousands of authors who don't make it out of the muck pile. It doesn't hurt to try but IMHO you'd be better off trying to get a literary agent if you really want to get in the door with a publisher.

This is providing your work is of course good enough to begin with. I am not saying that to be mean but not having read your book I can't really comment on how successful you may or may not be.

 

[HARKER]

So how many books have you got published using your method?

Exactly which method was I advocating? Let me help you out with the rolls-eyes.

The guy wanted some advice and I suggested to get it from the source, CF.
I didn't state it to be a sure fire way to get it published, but what's wrong with making friends in the right places?

It's O.K. as you're the "let's go by the book", (no pun intended) sort of guy. No problems.
I was just suggesting that you may be surprised just how many allies you may find, when you're bold enough to ask questions and for help.

Your J.K. Rowling analogy?
You clearly wouldn't play Tattslotto as that would stupid for a million to one shot to come through. It just doesn't happen.

 

[CF]

Exactly which method was I advocating? Let me help you out with the rolls-eyes.

The guy wanted some advice and I suggested to get it from the source, CF.
I didn't state it to be a sure fire way to get it published, but what's wrong with making friends in the right places?

It's O.K. as you're the "let's go by the book", (no pun intended) sort of guy. No problems.
I was just suggesting that you may be surprised just how many allies you may find, when you're bold enough to ask questions and for help.

Your J.K. Rowling analogy?
You clearly wouldn't play Tattslotto as that would stupid for a million to one shot to come through. It just doesn't happen.

Harker, I am not saying that he shouldn't try. I am just saying not to get his hopes up. The publishing industry is very tough and very hard on aspiring authors. Going up to a Publishing House with a nice smile, a clean suit, and positive attitude wont necessarily win him friends in the publishing industry. if you think I am cynical, they are 1000 times worse than me. He may get some advice but don't expect that to increase your chance of even getting your manuscript read.

I would suggest an aspiring author has a better chance of winning tatts than getting published via the traditional route. But some do get through and who knows his book may be so great that they can't refuse, providing they ever read it of course. Then even good authors get rejected and good books get rejected too. So even having a great book isn't necessarily going to get you through (though it helps of course). Publishers get so many manuscripts that most of the time they don't even read them as there isn't enough man power and hours in the day to do so.

Also it does depend on the genre of his book as I suggest it is slightly easier to get published as a non-fiction writer than a fiction one.

The other route to look at is short stories. Getting some short stories published in ezines and magazines can open doors to literary agents that can then lead to publishers. Especially if you win a few awards for them.

I wish him luck with it though because it can be a heart breaking journey.

 

[HARKER]

Harker, I am not saying that he shouldn't try. I am just saying not to get his hopes up. The publishing industry is very tough and very hard on aspiring authors. Going up to a Publishing House with a nice smile, a clean suit, and positive attitude will still most likely see his manuscript end up on the muck pile. Do you think it hasn't been tried before? In fact a well credentialed editor told me once that this form of manuscript submission tends to be frowned on by publishers. They always have submission guidelines and people who try to circumvent their process are not looked upon in a "Good on you for having a go" way.

I would suggest an aspiring author has a better chance of winning tatts than getting published via the traditional route. But some do get through and who knows his book may be so great that they can't refuse, providing they ever read it of course.

Also it does depend on the genre of his book as I suggest it is slightly easier to get published as a non-fiction writer than a fiction one.

The other route to look at is short stories. Getting some short stories published in ezines and magazines can open doors to literary agents that can then lead to publishers.

I wish him luck with it.

My experiences suggest don't get crippled by red tape.
Of course the odds are that when sticking your neck out beyond the standard, you may just get it smacked back into place.
If you have a bit of a thick skin, that won't present a problem and you can only learn from the experience.

BB's queries were although more about establishing protocol to which I think you have answered him in kind.
Protocol though doesn't always get you over the line and sometimes having a plan b, c, d through to z could come in handy in your armoury.
Having people on your side though is such a leg up, if indeed you're bold enough to seek them down. That's where I was coming from.

I too wish BB luck, but no more than I wish for all of us.

 

[CF]

Of course I agree that one should have options. That is what I have tried to suggest in my posts, options not protocols as you put it.

First thing he needs is an objective assessment of his book and believe me after spending months working on a novel most authors lose objectivity as you are too close to the story (and thus may overlook the flaws).

So before he jumps in head first get that book assessed by an editor and they can tell you if you even stand a chance of getting it published. Editors have contacts in Publishing too, and if your book is absolutely fantastic they may just help you get your foot in the door.

I can't emphasise this enough and any author who ignores the editing process because they think their book is so great it doesn't need it then they are fooling themselves.

 

[HARKER]

Of course I agree that one should have options. That is what I have tried to suggest in my posts, options not protocols as you put it.

First thing he needs is an objective assessment of his book and believe me after spending months working on a novel most authors lose objectivity as you are too close to the story (and thus may overlook the flaws).

So before he jumps in head first get that book assessed by an editor and they can tell you if you even stand a chance of getting it published. Editors have contacts in Publishing too, and if your book is absolutely fantastic they may just help you get your foot in the door.

I can't emphasize this enough and any author who ignores the editing process because they think their book is so great it doesn't need it then they are fooling themselves.

Sound advice.

We can get ahead of ourselves. God, even I have once or twice or three.....................................etc.

Options are good.

 

[CF]

Another thing I have read from successful authors is that they rarely get published on their first book they wrote. They talk about how heart breaking this is to eventually have to give up on something they are so close too and start over. A story they really liked but noone else did.

When you write a fiction novel you invest a lot of you into it, especially your first book. That's why it is important to have thick skin and enough self awareness to know when you are flogging a dead horse. Then you have to move on to your next project and make use of the lessons you have learned and the mistakes you made on your previous book to write your next one. It's part of the process I guess.

 

[Snake Livermore]

My experiences:

- Getting it professionally reviewed (editing makes it sound like a spelling/grammar check, but a good review will give you story/character develop feedback, writing style etc. Your mum can review your spelling/grammar) is very useful - there will be stuff in there that even you know could be better, but you need an authoratative voice to make you get off your lazy arse and change it

- Don't submit until it's as good as you think you can get it (4 drafts at least)

- Literary agents can be a shoe in the door, but there are only a handful in Australia, and they are as bad as publishers at reading submissions (one page synopsis is the most many will read)

- Straight to the publisher is risky, as if they don't immediately like and go for it they will never go for it again, but it's also got me the furthest I've gotten yet

- In terms of getting published, the synopsis is the most important thing you will write (more important than your novel itself) so spend a good couple of months tweaking it (plenty of advice on the internet about what makes a good synopsis)

- If your storyline and characters don't support an awesome synopsis, change them

- Make your first chapter action packed and awesome

- Copyright is the least of your worries, but if you're actually stressed about it, print a copy and mail it to yourself along with copies of all your notes etc

- Do it for love, but keep dreaming...

By the way, anyone wanna read my novel? PM me, it's pretty ****in awesome.

 

[CF]

My experiences:

- Getting it professionally reviewed (editing makes it sound like a spelling/grammar check, but a good review will give you story/character develop feedback, writing style etc. Your mum can review your spelling/grammar) is very useful - there will be stuff in there that even you know could be better, but you need an authoratative voice to make you get off your lazy arse and change it

- Don't submit until it's as good as you think you can get it (4 drafts at least)

- Literary agents can be a shoe in the door, but there are only a handful in Australia, and they are as bad as publishers at reading submissions (one page synopsis is the most many will read)

- Straight to the publisher is risky, as if they don't immediately like and go for it they will never go for it again, but it's also got me the furthest I've gotten yet

- In terms of getting published, the synopsis is the most important thing you will write (more important than your novel itself) so spend a good couple of months tweaking it (plenty of advice on the internet about what makes a good synopsis)

- If your storyline and characters don't support an awesome synopsis, change them

- Make your first chapter action packed and awesome

- Copyright is the least of your worries, but if you're actually stressed about it, print a copy and mail it to yourself along with copies of all your notes etc

- Do it for love, but keep dreaming...

By the way, anyone wanna read my novel? PM me, it's pretty ****in awesome.

good advice. I forgot about the synopsis thing so thanks for that.

Be careful in getting family & friends to read your book and giving you feedback as most often they will tell you what you want to hear. You need someone who can rip into it as that is how you can improve it.

 

[BABYBOMBERS2007]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I would respond to each, but that would take up a lot of space

I do have a "thick skin" when it comes to this. So I know that I will be handle potential rejection well. Although I do truly believe that this novel has what it takes to make it all the way - I'm even doing some of my novel now .

The editor idea does sound good. Even after I finish it and before I give it to a professional editor, I will read it over MANY times. Because I know I have probably made mistakes.

So it is going all good at the moment. And thanks for the advice so far people