I Want To Write A Book and Get Published

"We share what we know, so that we all may grow."
*
HOW TO WRITE A BOOK AND GET PUBLISHED
(extracted from Online Creative Writing Course)

This short extract is from my booklet 'How to Write a Book and Get Published' and was written for the "off-line" world of publishing many "moons" ago (well before the new age of immediate and easy online publishing). No matter! Although it's a very brief look at this vast subject, I hope these pointers may be helpful to aspiring* or perhaps other "non-techno" authors, like 'yours truly'.

* What's the definition of an aspiring author?
A waiter!
*
Me write a book! What!!! A "pipedream" or possible?

A introductory words...

Writing a book may seem extremely daunting ...and perhaps even impossible to you, as I felt when I started out writing (like flying to the moon); but if you believe you have some writing talent just DO IT. As with eating an elephant ("hephelump"), break it into "small chunks". No only joking! Please treat all animals with great care. My point simply:
The key is taking that FIRST STEP in writing that first sentence...then one just gets involved in your "work of art", as writing becomes a daily habit. One word
simply flows into the next...then one chapter just leads on to the next one.
*
Nothing is impossible, but the hardest part is getting
an acceptance from a publisher. Hope these tips may
be helpful in submitting your manuscript (hardcopy)...

PRESENTATION OF YOUR "WORK OF ART":

Not how YOU dress, but how you "dress up" your work.

Some points to help you:

* All text should be double spaced. (When I started writing I didn't know what "double space" meant. "Dumbo". Come a long way then, "Sonny boy"!)

* one side A4 at least 25mm margin on either side

* in black ink. Use a new ribbon. Must remember that one...when I can afford it.

* consistent styles regarding bibliographic references should be used

* don't use pins or staples. Use a rubber band or a paper clip to avoid inflicting serious injury on the editor with a "dangerous weapon"

* on your final page write the words 'copy ends'

* put in an approximate word count (I don't do it "naughty, lazy boy"!). Send your manuscript together, so it arrives on the editor's desk as one.
Don't send in sections (after writing or checking). Bits and pieces are then more likely to be mislaid (sounds disgusting!).

And it happens quite often - misplaced (better word) by
publishers, I mean. If you do your work on a word processor using a computer disc (I do), also send the work on paper. That is the non-technical term for "software”. Not tissue paper please!

NB: Keep a COPY of everything.

All mail should have a return address. Always send a covering letter with your manuscript. Multiple submissions are OK, but always remember to withdraw an offer, if publication is accepted by another publisher. Write immediately to them.

I find multiple submissions save a lot in finding a publisher, as publishers are often extremely tardy in replying to unsolicitated* (big word) submissions.

* that's not standing on unlit street corners at night looking for a publisher for your manuscript!

Finally, always try to give your work a 'real professional' look, as befits the effort put into your work of art.

Then PERSIST and
BE PATIENT (very)

Try different publishers and don't be afraid of rejection.

Look at this....

The following are actual rejection notices received for these famous and incredibly successful books..

# "It is impossible to sell animal stories in the USA."
The book: 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell

# "The girl doesn't, it seems to me, have a special perception or feeling, which would lift that book above the 'curiosity' level."

The book: 'The Diary of Ann Frank'

# "It does not seem to us that you have been wholly succesful in working out an admittedly promising idea."

The book: 'Lord of the Flies' by Wiliam Golding

# "For your own good, do not publish this book."

The book: 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' by DH Lawrence

# "A long dull novel about an artist."
The book: 'Lust for Life' by Irving Stone

THE CRYSTAL BALL CRACKED for those authors. Some hope for you and I then too!

So as the Nike ad says,

Just DO IT

Then hopefully one day I'll see your name in print or on the www.

Eureka!

Good luck* and happy writing

Craig Lock (Eagle Productions Books)

* Wasn't that once defined as where 'preparedness meets opportunity'

As the ancient Chinese proverb said so wisely...
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with ...
a broken fan belt and a leaky tire."

PPS
Enjoy some of my favourite quotes...

"You will do foolish things, but do them with
enthusiasm."
- Colette

"He who cherises a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal
in his heart, will one day realize it.
Dream lofty dreams and as you dream so shall you become."
- James Allen

"Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are
the children of your soul, the blueprints of your
ultimate accomplishments."
- Napoleon Hill

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead
where there is no path and leave a trail."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Together, one mind at a time, let's see how many people we can impact, empower, uplift, encourage ... and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials."

Dreams
"Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow. "
- Langston Hughes