SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT WRITING BOOKS
There is nothing wrong with wanting to write a book. All you need is something to say that is useful or
interesting. We are all experts at things. Write about a subject that you know better than most people.
Whether it's a book about a major event (the Moon landing, for example), or memories of a past era, or
how to fix a computer, or how to skateboard, or how to bake pies, if your book is interesting and
well-written, people willwant it. Note that the above examples are for nonfiction books. It is easiest to sell
nonfiction.
Fiction is fun to write, but more difficult to sell because you compete with thousands of writers,
including established authors who get priority with publishers. To have a chance, you must have a great
idea for a story, a terrific plot, and a way of telling the story that will grab readers and hold them.
Before you even think of approaching an agent or editor, be certain that the writing is your very best.
But even if your book is good, it is a fight to get it published. There are three routes that you can
follow:
1. Get it published by a major publisher. This pays the best, but the only route to a major publisher is
through an agent. You must be able to convince a reputable agent that your book is terrific. There are
good agents and bad agents. A good agent will not charge you. The agent's income will be from 15% of
your advance payment from a publisher and subsequent royalties. Getting a good agent is worth contacting
dozens, even hundreds, to find one who likes your book.
Once a publisher takes your book, it will publicize it and place it in bookstores everywhere. Your book
will be reviewed in the media, and you will be interviewed so much that you can predict the questions. My
first book was published by Harper. Although it was technical, their publicity was so clever that my first
royalty check paid for a new, red Corvette.
2. Get it published by a small publisher. An agent is great, but if you don't want to spend the effort to
get one, a small publisher can do a good job for you. You will get a lot of personal attention, but not as
much placement in book stores. Your book likely will be reviewed in the media, and you will be
interviewed until you are exhausted.
3. Get it published by a print-on-demand publisher. This is an easy way to get your book published.
You don't need an agent. After you pay a fee, the publisher will edit and publish your book. Some
publishers will place it with the major bookstore chains, but you will probably get no book reviews, no
interviews, and no publicity, unless you arrange them yourself. Still, enterprising authors have had
reasonable success with books published this way.
Each of the three methods has advantages and disadvantages. I prefer to go with an agent, but which
method is best for you depends on your objective. If the most important thing to you is to see your book
in print, or if you are tired of being turned down by agents, print-on-demand is an easy way to become a
published author. If you don't feel like beating at literary agents' closed doors, a small publisher will often
work directly with you. If you want to make money on your book, an agent and major publisher are the
route to follow. Good Luck!
Updated 16 February 2009
interesting. We are all experts at things. Write about a subject that you know better than most people.
Whether it's a book about a major event (the Moon landing, for example), or memories of a past era, or
how to fix a computer, or how to skateboard, or how to bake pies, if your book is interesting and
well-written, people willwant it. Note that the above examples are for nonfiction books. It is easiest to sell
nonfiction.
Fiction is fun to write, but more difficult to sell because you compete with thousands of writers,
including established authors who get priority with publishers. To have a chance, you must have a great
idea for a story, a terrific plot, and a way of telling the story that will grab readers and hold them.
Before you even think of approaching an agent or editor, be certain that the writing is your very best.
But even if your book is good, it is a fight to get it published. There are three routes that you can
follow:
1. Get it published by a major publisher. This pays the best, but the only route to a major publisher is
through an agent. You must be able to convince a reputable agent that your book is terrific. There are
good agents and bad agents. A good agent will not charge you. The agent's income will be from 15% of
your advance payment from a publisher and subsequent royalties. Getting a good agent is worth contacting
dozens, even hundreds, to find one who likes your book.
Once a publisher takes your book, it will publicize it and place it in bookstores everywhere. Your book
will be reviewed in the media, and you will be interviewed so much that you can predict the questions. My
first book was published by Harper. Although it was technical, their publicity was so clever that my first
royalty check paid for a new, red Corvette.
2. Get it published by a small publisher. An agent is great, but if you don't want to spend the effort to
get one, a small publisher can do a good job for you. You will get a lot of personal attention, but not as
much placement in book stores. Your book likely will be reviewed in the media, and you will be
interviewed until you are exhausted.
3. Get it published by a print-on-demand publisher. This is an easy way to get your book published.
You don't need an agent. After you pay a fee, the publisher will edit and publish your book. Some
publishers will place it with the major bookstore chains, but you will probably get no book reviews, no
interviews, and no publicity, unless you arrange them yourself. Still, enterprising authors have had
reasonable success with books published this way.
Each of the three methods has advantages and disadvantages. I prefer to go with an agent, but which
method is best for you depends on your objective. If the most important thing to you is to see your book
in print, or if you are tired of being turned down by agents, print-on-demand is an easy way to become a
published author. If you don't feel like beating at literary agents' closed doors, a small publisher will often
work directly with you. If you want to make money on your book, an agent and major publisher are the
route to follow. Good Luck!
Updated 16 February 2009
