Posted on 07/23/2007 5:05:12 PM PDT by SamAdams76
I've been trying to write a book for seven years now. Nobody has seen the drafts, not even my wife. In fact, I have panic attacks about somebody in my family seeing my writings. They might think I'm some kind of lunatic or something were they to read it. And since my book revolves around a dysfunctional family, many in my family would take personal offense. Especially since much of it is based on true events in my life. People would recognize themselves in the book and probably sue me!
The vast majority of books published fail miserably. But some hit the lottery such as J.K. Rowling, Tom Clancy and Stephen King. All three of those writers were regular people like most of us. None of those three have advanced degrees - elite members of academia. But they struck a chord and have made themselves a part of our popular culture. There are many others like them. Ken Follet, John Grisham and Khaled Hosseini just to name a few who made it big.
So I'm sure there are a few published writers here on Free Republic. How do you go about getting published? Do you just send in manuscripts to publishers or get an agent first? What can you reasonably expect in a book deal? What kind of advances? What kind of royalty schedule?
And above all, aren't we all insane? People who spend hours and hours writing are just not right in the head. Of course, that would include me. Thousands of pages written in the past 20 years and yet nothing published except what I write here on Free Republic.
But this will be the summer. Last summer wasn't, but this one will be.
Google self publishing, they can help you as little or as much as you want. If you want you can just publish from 10 to 10,000 books......
Sam, I’ve read your postings over the years.
You are a fine writer and you’ll be a terrific author.
Now finish that book!
JKR is laughing all the way to the bank. She has been ridiculed and accused of being anti-Christian. Yet she has now completed the series of books she envisioned so many years ago.
Sam, I forgot, publish that book and get that monkey off your back.....if your book is anything like your writing here I am sure it is wonderful...... good luck
Hear hear!
Just being published would achieve some semblance of immortality. My great-grandkids could Google my name 75 years from now and come up with a few hits. And who knows, maybe I'll strike a chord, sell a few copies and end up in some libraries.
I have just finished writing a book, a novel, based on an idea that I have had for a long time. It took me 8 months to write the story out (many nights working 10pm till 4am before getting up for work. I have spent the last few months doing a rewrite with editing, but I am ready to seek a publisher or agent. Do a lot pf research before you get either.
LOL - I wrote a book while in the throws of divorce. I wouldn’t want it to see the light of day even after I’m dead.
Now J.K. Rowling gets a 1500 pound advance (not much) for her first book and only gets a thousand copies on the first print run - half of which go unsold and sent to libraries. Her publisher tells her to get a day job as she has "little chance" selling children's books. And just like that guy who told Elvis Presley to get a job driving trucks, the rest is history.
And it happens about as often ...
-someone posted that a school book club in the US picked it up and it became a best seller. Interesting.
If you have the dream, don’t give it up.
A killing spree will accomplish the same thing . . . and so much less time-consuming. : )
Ping! ;)
bttt
*snicker*
It took Ian two decades and research in three continents before it was published. He, his wife, plus the entire family, heaved a sigh of relief when the book finally hit the commercial shelves. The agony of writing impacts family and friends to varying extents, not only the author himself.
The book was successful.......and to me who loves biographies and autobiographies it was extremely fascinating. However, as would be expected, it sells better in Europe than in the USA where most folks wouldn't know Lawrence Durrell from their neighborhood Good Humor man.
Leni
Leni
Writing a book is not so hard—it’s the sharing of it that’s breath taking! LOL! And explaining yourself—that’s hilarious!
I have about six novels going right now—I may never even send them in to a publisher. They’re something for me to do, and it’s hard to tell whether it’s any good or not by letting family (extremely biased prejudice!) read your manuscripts, or re-reading them yourself.
Mine amuse me, and they’re much better than a lot of stuff I’ve read that got published.
I have one children’s novel going—the kind I loved when I was a precocious young reader—lots of action, magic, animals, good versus evil—with lots of new, but not too difficult, words in it. Children are so eager to learn, more than just Dick and Jane. I loathed those books, by the way!
My niece read some of it—why did you name the characters this? Why did you do that? So, have you gotten anything published yet? She’s ten, and she cracked me up with her questions! She did like the story, though!
Keep writing, and let your FRiends know when you publish!
And you’re right—we are insane! I’ve always enjoyed the worlds inside my head far more than anything on TV!
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