Comments on: 6 publishing secrets writers need to know

By: Gary Smailes

Gary Smailes — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:00:26 +0000

Maxine – I think you are correct. The more you do as a writer the more serious people take you and the more ‘publishable’ you become. Well done.

By: Maxine Linnell

Maxine Linnell — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:23:56 +0000

I’ve been lucky enough to find an agent and a small publisher for my first book (Vintage, out in 2010). I’m fairly convinced that it wasn’t just the book that did it – it was persistence and getting involved in the local literature community, getting known and doing things for other writers. That worked in several ways – I learned a huge amount about the writing industry, met key people, was supported myself in getting the book to the highest standard I could, and now have networks I can work with to promote it.
Quite a lot of work, but so enjoyable and rewarding.
And now I want to step further into the social networking world to promote it, so it won’t be my last!

By: Patsy

Patsy — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:21:47 +0000

Thanks to everyone who replied to this query I have a lot to think about and investigate now. Your advice has been greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Patsy

By: Miladysa

Miladysa — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:39:45 +0000

Hi Patsy

Have you thought about publishing your father’s work online? I know someone who has done something similar although I don’t believe he is earning any income from it (I could be wrong) : http://tiny.cc/AHV4U

You could always set up a website like the one above and add a paypal donate button to it.

An ebook might be another idea : http://smashwords.com

If you do decide to go along the weblit (publishing online) route you will find plenty of help and support here: http://weblit.us

& you can get an idea of other weblit/webfiction sites like the one above here: http://webfictionguide.com

Good luck!

By: Sheila (@stinginthetail)

Sheila (@stinginthetail) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:25:09 +0000

from what i know, though am not legal expert, the books belong to whoever the estate was left to. It’s like anything created by an artist, whoever they left their estate to gets the paintings/sculptures/music- and any rights and royalties from published works – and in this case, the unpublished books.

By: Gary Smailes

Gary Smailes — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:17:17 +0000

This is a good question. I must admit that I have had no experience of this! My advice would be to seek professional advice. If you live in the UK then the Society of Authors would be a good start point. Failing this I would write to a respected literary agency and ask their advice. You can make it clear that at this early stage you are seeking guidance rather than representation. My gut is that you will have to clarify the legal status of your father’s work before seeking publication. email me at gary@bubblecow.co.uk if you wish to discuss this privately. I will also tweet out the question and see what twitter can offer.

By: Patsy

Patsy — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:35:46 +0000

My dad died 3 years ago and has left 2 completed books. One is an adventure story, the other a historical novel.
I have edited the adventure and think it could be worth publishing, it would help my mum out if it did make a little money, although i take on board the comments I have read.
The historial novel is very detailed and I find it quite heavy, it is not my taste and I wouldn’t know where to start with editing it.
Any advice on getting books published posthumously?
Patsy

By: Gary Smailes

Gary Smailes — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:46:48 +0000

Thanks for this DNA. I assume you leave the comment in the wake of a publishing deal with a large publisher. I also assume you managed to secure this deal via an unsolicited manuscript. If so I would love to hear your tips and advice on how to dodge the slush pile, they would be invaluable to my readers.

By: Made in DNA

Made in DNA — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:06:03 +0000

#6 = BS

By: Gary Smailes

Gary Smailes — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:33:17 +0000

Julia, the first point to make is that the approach to fiction and non-fiction is different.

In regards to fiction some publishing houses do indeed actively look for new writers. However, my point is that whilst generalising most fiction publishers mostly publish established talent. As a new writer you are at the bottom of the pile and face the hardest job. In regards to non-fiction, which represents the vast majority of books published, publishing houses have a huge number of established writers upon whom they can call upon. New writing tends to come from writers that have either generate a new concept or are an expert in a field.

This said your are correct in saying – getting published as a newbie is a matter of doing due diligence–of having a unique idea, of building platform, of producing a well-written book. Then, a catchy query and a solid proposal are your tickets! The sad reality is that a lot of new writers simply do not do this. The point of this blog post was to send out a big dose of reality. I spent years building a career as a writer. It takes time and hard work.

ps. Congratulations on your book…