How to get published

EileenG · 30-12-2010 9:18pm

You own the copyright as soon as you write something. You don't have to do anything special to prove it, though if there is ever a dispute, then your early drafts will be your proof.

When you get something published, you are giving the publisher the right to publish it, not the copyright, unless you were working directly for them when you wrote it.

Eoinp · 30-12-2010 9:57pm

Nic Neptune wrote: »

Hi Eoin.

I was just wondering, if one were to publish a poetry book for example, is it necessary to copyright each poem before sending them for publication? I'd be interested in trying to get a poetry book published but am unsure of the necessary precautions to take.

Also, are there any magazines which publish a once-off poem and like above, would it have to have some kind of copyright?

Thanks,

Nic.

Also,

It would be helpful to get in writing from the magazine what right you grant them and to ensure you keep this one record. While they may not have something of this nature, it is good practice for them to do it!

Eoin

Nic Neptune · 30-12-2010 10:21pm

Thanks so much, much appreciated.

desolate sun · 09-01-2011 1:47pm

Hi Eoin
I've recently started submitting my novel to agents. I was told that submitting to one at a time is wasteful due to response times. Advice I received from agents' blogs was to send out my query in batches of 5 or 10 BUT researching and addressing each query to each particular agent. Seems like sound advice.

However after reading the submission guidelines of some agents, they don't want this. One agent even said the following: "Finally, we don't take part in "beauty contests"; we ask, if you are submitting to a number of agents at the same time, that you pass us by."
they also say that response times can be a minimum 6 weeks!!

One agent says that they prefer to be exclusive but if you do submit simultaneously, to tell them. Is that just a reason to delete your submission?

What is your take on this Eoin?

PS apologies if this has been asked before. I have read this thread several times, but not recently

desolate sun · 09-01-2011 2:50pm

desolate sun wrote: »

Hi Eoin
I've recently started submitting my novel to agents. I was told that submitting to one at a time is wasteful due to response times. Advice I received from agents' blogs was to send out my query in batches of 5 or 10 BUT researching and addressing each query to each particular agent. Seems like sound advice.

However after reading the submission guidelines of some agents, they don't want this. One agent even said the following: "Finally, we don't take part in "beauty contests"; we ask, if you are submitting to a number of agents at the same time, that you pass us by."
they also say that response times can be a minimum 6 weeks!!

One agent says that they prefer to be exclusive but if you do submit simultaneously, to tell them. Is that just a reason to delete your submission?

PS apologies if this has been asked before. I have read this thread severaltimes, but not recently

Apologies Eoin, I read through the thread again and you did mention submitting to agents individually.
However, I read Kristin Nelson's blog that she encourages writers to submit simultaneously and not allow exclusivity as it is not in a writer's best interest.
Can you tell me why there is conflicting advice about this?
Thank you

feebee12 · 10-01-2011 8:15pm

Hi Eoin

Have been following your thread with great interest and am drawing on your wealth of knowledge. I have always loved writing poems and playing with words and many people have enjoyed them down through the years.
As I am a complete novice and have only ever written for my own and others' amusement I was hoping you could give me some advice on how to get my poems 'out there' or dare I imagine it 'published'!!

Feebee

Eoinp · 17-01-2011 1:49am

desolate sun wrote: »

Apologies Eoin, I read through the thread again and you did mention submitting to agents individually.
However, I read Kristin Nelson's blog that she encourages writers to submit simultaneously and not allow exclusivity as it is not in a writer's best interest.
Can you tell me why there is conflicting advice about this?
Thank you

I think the difference stems from the fact that I encourage a VERY targeted submissions policy. Close scrutiny of who you send manuscripts to and knowledge of why your work fits their stable of authors etc.

You CAN submit to multiple agents and authors, I'm not dead set against it, but I suspect your tragetting will be less effective and much of the extra effort wasted.

Finally, Kristin has great experience and great advice, but as with much in the industry, some decisions come down to subjective opinion. There is NO single rule for how to get published, just words of advice from people on one side of the industry.
Eoin

Orion101 · 21-01-2011 5:22pm

Hello Eoin,

First off, thanks for taking the time to answer our questions - it's really useful to get advice from someone in the business.

I'm working on a number of stories (mainly horror and thriller) which range from 10-30,000 and I'd like to know is there any market worth mentioning for these. It seems that very few magazines deal with stories larger than 8,000.

Is there a possibility of publishing two stories of around 30,000 words each, and of the same genre, as a single novel, or is this unlikely or is it just plain crazy talk? Should I just bite the bullet and work on writing a full novel?

Thanks V. much!

Eoinp · 24-01-2011 9:57am

Orion101 wrote: »

Hello Eoin,

First off, thanks for taking the time to answer our questions - it's really useful to get advice from someone in the business.

I'm working on a number of stories (mainly horror and thriller) which range from 10-30,000 and I'd like to know is there any market worth mentioning for these. It seems that very few magazines deal with stories larger than 8,000.

Is there a possibility of publishing two stories of around 30,000 words each, and of the same genre, as a single novel, or is this unlikely or is it just plain crazy talk? Should I just bite the bullet and work on writing a full novel?

Thanks V. much!

Oih, oih, oih,

Tough market as you've pointed out. I don't know the horror market well enough to know if something exists.

It might be worth exploring something like smashwords or even Kindle publishing direct to build a small following and sell (or give away) a few of your novellas, and get some feedback from readers.

Surely there are niche communities online of authors in this space?
Eoin

first be · 05-02-2011 8:47am

I think the difference stems from the fact that I encourage a VERY targeted submissions policy. Close scrutiny of who you send manuscripts to and knowledge of why your work fits their stable of authors etc.

safira218 · 23-02-2011 11:15am

pathway33 wrote: »

Hi Eoin,

I received a reply to my submission which stated 'it was unsuitable for our current publishing programme....the work may well be suitable for another publisher'

Is this a standard reply or do they really think it's suitable for another publisher? Maybe they were just letting me down gently

Thanks,

There is no standard wordcount. But agents and publishers sometimes indicate guidelines. try and stick close to those. If you write for a genre, find out the average for books of that kind. Shoot for that.

Hydro 69. · 25-02-2011 12:09am

Hi Eoin,
I have been battling with a realy good yarn in my head for the past ten years. At this stage its to be found in various places, partly on pages, dictaphone tapes, memory sticks and still a substancial part between my ears. In short I need help to get this damm thing out and into a managable form. Have you any suggestions for somone that might be able to help me. I have been interviewed on both TV and radio on the subject and a number of Documentary makers have filmed and recorded me but havent come up with the money to get to the production stage. It keeps coming back to the same mantra, The Book,The Book, The Book.

EileenG · 25-02-2011 1:39am

I'm not Eoin, but I'm pretty certain I know what he's going to say. You've got to write the book. Once it's written, you can beg or pay for help with editing and polishing, but no-one except you can get it from between your ears onto the page. At this stage, it's not about money, it's about getting up early or turning off the tv for a couple of hours every day and writing, writing, writing.

Eoinp · 25-02-2011 6:47pm

Hydro 69. wrote: »

Hi Eoin,
I have been battling with a realy good yarn in my head for the past ten years. At this stage its to be found in various places, partly on pages, dictaphone tapes, memory sticks and still a substancial part between my ears. In short I need help to get this damm thing out and into a managable form. Have you any suggestions for somone that might be able to help me. I have been interviewed on both TV and radio on the subject and a number of Documentary makers have filmed and recorded me but havent come up with the money to get to the production stage. It keeps coming back to the same mantra, The Book,The Book, The Book.

I am Eoin and EileenG is spot on!

Write the whole story, no matter how bad you think it is. When you have the whole story down, that's the time to seek out an editor.

What you might consider, if writing is just not working, is hiring someone to actually record what you are saying, do some extra research and write a book. That won't be cheap though and finding the right person can be a bit tricky!
Eoin

Hydro 69. · 26-02-2011 12:00pm

Eoinp wrote: »

I am Eoin and EileenG is spot on!

Write the whole story, no matter how bad you think it is. When you have the whole story down, that's the time to seek out an editor.

What you might consider, if writing is just not working, is hiring someone to actually record what you are saying, do some extra research and write a book. That won't be cheap though and finding the right person can be a bit tricky!
Eoin

No short cuts.

Matt Holck · 29-03-2011 4:10am

ok I need to publish an epic

best ideas I heard so far was to mail scripts out to various legitimate companies

EileenG · 29-03-2011 4:13pm

Matt Holck wrote: »

ok I need to publish an epic

best ideas I heard so far was to mail scripts out to various legitimate companies

Before you do, go back and rewrite, and edit, and polish, and cut as much as possible. A novel of standard length will stand a much better chance of getting published than one that will cost twice as much to produce.

i-digress · 30-03-2011 1:26am

EileenG wrote: »

Before you do, go back and rewrite, and edit, and polish, and cut as much as possible. A novel of standard length will stand a much better chance of getting published than one that will cost twice as much to produce.

This is true. It's rare for a new writer to get to publish a long work, because the publisher doesn't want to risk too much money on an author who doesn't have a proven record of sales.

If after you polish it, you don't think you can cut it without the risk of ruining the story, you might want to write another standard level novel and try to get that published first.

Matt Holck · 31-03-2011 1:30am

thanks

gallows · 03-04-2011 9:45am

Great thread thanks!!

DaaveJoe · 04-04-2011 7:48am

I think you should try to be original in whatever you write and try to make your title and content interesting so that it catches the attention of the readers.

Watch Ryder · 15-04-2011 4:23pm

Eoinp wrote: »

I would say yes BUT only for those stories published here and with exceptions.

And here's why.

1) Publishers generally like exclusivity (its easier to sell something no-ones read before than stuff that's been freely available for a while).

2) When they are willing to accept non-exclusivity there's generally a good reason (ie you've been published by a recognized magazine like New Yorker or Granta etc.)

3) While you might well generate a bigger audience from Boards than from a mag like those mentioned, boards carries no cachet!

BUT

Keep in mind that writing material that you can use to promote yourself is worthwhile, just don't expect to use the same material in a published collection or novel. At least not initially.

So depends on what you want. I'd encourage you to publish here or on your own site and solicit feedback as well as keeping good material you are happy with to yourself or for submission to publishers.

Eoin

What I do is publish excerps online, via You Tube and so on. That way only a tantilising piece of the puzzle is on display

pqkawara · 05-05-2011 3:50pm

pickarooney wrote: »

A fairly straightforward question (I think), but one that comes up time and again:

What, if any, is the recommended word count for a first novel submission and should a writer send in an entire manuscript or just some selected chapters?

I received a reply to my submission which stated 'it was unsuitable for our current publishing programme....the work may well be suitable for another publisher'

Is this a standard reply or do they really think it's suitable for another publisher? Maybe they were just letting me down gently

EileenG · 05-05-2011 4:21pm

pqkawara wrote: »

I received a reply to my submission which stated 'it was unsuitable for our current publishing programme....the work may well be suitable for another publisher'

Is this a standard reply or do they really think it's suitable for another publisher? Maybe they were just letting me down gently

Sorry, that's a standard reply to let you down gently. If you got a personal letter, saying "Sorry, not for us, but you it might suit XYZ", then they really mean it.

Chuchoter · 08-05-2011 2:13pm

Does anybody know how you get poetry into magazines/newspapers that kind of thing? I've been in specific poetry magazines for young writers before but not for a few years. How do you go about doing anything else?

Shulgraine86 · 13-05-2011 10:42am

Hi

I'm a writer but not a poet, but I think some of these links might help.

In regard to your info request on poetry mags and such, there are many vessels for your work. The Irish Writer's Centre host a lot of night specific to poets and their work and you will often find contests running on their site - www.writerscentre.ie.

Also, The Writers Forum (http://www.writers-forum.com/) is quite useful in that it provides tips, tutorials and competitions that run every month or so.

Alternatively to that, try out writing.ie for a broader look at the industry.
I hope this helps,

Shane

billo.d86 · 13-05-2011 5:00pm

crayolastereo wrote: »

Does anybody know how you get poetry into magazines/newspapers that kind of thing? I've been in specific poetry magazines for young writers before but not for a few years. How do you go about doing anything else?

Ya I too was wondering about that? Strictly for my ego of course? and how do you know if its any good?

pickarooney · 13-05-2011 5:13pm

I've no idea how you ge paid for poetry, but if you just want to see your work in print there are a few threads on here with editors of monthly magazines constantly looking for submissions. Click back a few pages or search for 'Outburst' for example.

Easog · 26-05-2011 1:22pm

Eoin, you are being too kind to these people. It's better to just tell it to them straight. Your manuscripts are rubbish, only one in 200 get published. So unless your daddy becomes Taoiseach and your sister is married to one of the westlifers, you haven't got a snowballs chance in hell of being published. I'm sorry if I offended anyone but I'm just being honest. I admire people who shoot from the hip, like my role model.
:pac:---LONG LIVE PRINCE PHILIP.

billo.d86 · 31-05-2011 3:05pm

Easog wrote: »

Eoin, you are being too kind to these people. It's better to just tell it to them straight. Your manuscripts are rubbish, only one in 200 get published. So unless your daddy becomes Taoiseach and your sister is married to one of the westlifers, you haven't got a snowballs chance in hell of being published. I'm sorry if I offended anyone but I'm just being honest. I admire people who shoot from the hip, like my role model.
:pac:---LONG LIVE PRINCE PHILIP.

Very negative Des, very negative!!

Lady Chuckles · 07-06-2011 7:39am

Easog wrote: »

So unless your daddy becomes Taoiseach and your sister is married to one of the westlifers, you haven't got a snowballs chance in hell of being published.

Haha!! That certainly helps anyway! :P

IrishEyes19 · 07-06-2011 6:28pm

On another note, does anyone know of any quality manuscript editing/review service.

EileenG · 07-06-2011 9:42pm

Emma Walsh www.walshcommunications.ie/index.html does it. She's not cheap, but if you are serious about getting published, it might be worth it.

Jellybaby1 · 10-06-2011 3:14pm

johnsonkid wrote: »

I need clarification on the definition of ‘unpublished’. I notice that magazines request that any short stories sent in must be previously unpublished. One of my stories although it was never published in a book or magazine, was in fact accepted and included in a small paper booklet of stories, photocopied and distributed in a local area by a small community group some years ago. Would this be deemed to have been published?

Cartier Trinity Ring Cartier Love Bracelet CartierNotes Bracelet in Rose Gold Plated

Hey You!! You stole my post from 23rd June 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FewFew · 16-06-2011 2:24pm

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

Hey You!! You stole my post from 23rd June 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's a bit mean of him.

Jellybaby1 · 16-06-2011 3:14pm

Yes it is. Come on johnsonkid, own up, apologise, and explain yourself!! Why on earth would anybody do this? No original thoughts of your own then?

FewFew · 16-06-2011 3:56pm

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

Yes it is. Come on johnsonkid, own up, apologise, and explain yourself!! Why on earth would anybody do this? No original thoughts of your own then?

You should probably punch him in the babymaker. Probably.

Shield · 16-06-2011 9:19pm

Can nobody see the word "Banned" under this guy's name? He was a spammer who just used your post as padding so the spam wouldn't be that obvious. I wouldn't take it too personally!

Antilles · 16-06-2011 9:21pm

Shield wrote: »

Can nobody see the word "Banned" under this guy's name? He was a spammer who just used your post as padding so the spam wouldn't be that obvious. I wouldn't take it too personally!

Yeah Johnsonkid, wtf is your problem?

Jellybaby1 · 17-06-2011 12:55am

Shield wrote: »

Can nobody see the word "Banned" under this guy's name? He was a spammer who just used your post as padding so the spam wouldn't be that obvious. I wouldn't take it too personally!

Yes I do see it now thank you. It wasn't there originally, and it is definitely there now.

FewFew · 17-06-2011 2:03am

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

Yes I do see it now thank you. It wasn't there originally, and it is definitely there now.

We should still go for the babymaker!

Sammie36 · 19-06-2011 10:19pm

I got a response from a publisher stating they had a similar non-fiction book currently underway but asked me to send them any other work I may write in the future. Can I take this as a positive sign or is it a standard reply?

FewFew · 21-06-2011 1:30pm

Sammie36 wrote: »

I got a response from a publisher stating they had a similar non-fiction book currently underway but asked me to send them any other work I may write in the future. Can I take this as a positive sign or is it a standard reply?

Positive! Standard inoffensive response seems to go along the lines of the book not being what they're looking for at the moment. The fact that they gave the excuse that they have something similar in the works is different and so I'd say positive.

rathq · 12-07-2011 1:56pm

I just sent out a querys to two agents one in Ireland and one in Canada. The one in Canada wrote back and said not for them. I'm not that upset as I sent out two.( just testing the water) I'm More annoyed by my self and my lack of knowledge in constructing a propper query letter, or Cover letter. I did a bit of reasearch and still came up with a feeble attempt with my letters. I still have hope,that I haven't blown my chance with the Irish agent. I did send out the query letter and was asked to send in a cover letter, brief synopsis and the first three chapters. (fingers crossed) I was just wondering could you please give a brief example on how to construct a cover letter and any idea's on how I can get my Manuscript into a one page synopsis and not miss out on all the good parts of the book.(i'm going to bite the bullett and contact more agents)
any help will be greatly appreciated.

EileenG · 12-07-2011 3:49pm

http://www.wattpad.com/162924-how-to-write-a-great-query-letter

This is my favourite how-to on query letters, it's by a former literary agent, so he knows what he's talking about, and he believes in keeping it business-like and professional.

brenny77 · 15-07-2011 10:22pm

hi,

been looking at self publishing as a last resort of osrts, what's your opinioin on self publishing?i'm very on the fence about it

iguana · 16-07-2011 1:33am

Here's an anal question. What's the best format to write submissions in. I use Times New Roman, font size 14, Fully justified and tend toward 1.5 for line spacing. That correlates roughly with a similar word count per page on Word and word count per page of most paperbacks in the genre I'm writing in. That helps me pace the story properly when I'm writing as I'm aiming for an average length novel.

Is that format advisable for submissions?

sunssocks · 05-08-2011 5:37pm

Some can be looked into. Maybe that helps. And one hint I always find useful when writing something: A book on cutting fruit trees has no chapter on the poker game

The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published: How to Write It, Sell It, and Market It . . . Successfully

http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Guide-Getting-Your-Published/dp/076116085X/ref=pd_sim_b_1

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published, 4th Edition

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Getting-Published/dp/1592575188/ref=pd_sim_b_3

Book Proposals That Sell: 21 SECRETS TO SPEED YOUR SUCCESS

http://www.amazon.com/Book-Proposals-That-Sell-SECRETS/dp/1932124640/ref=pd_sim_b_5

Aug2009 · 02-01-2012 5:04pm

Just watched a bit of the documentary on JK Rowling. It really is amazing that she got published. she is a very talented writer and deserves to get published. This doesnt always happen so hope you all get a chance to your books printed and sold in bookshops.

Stick with it!!!!!

rathq · 04-01-2012 3:00pm

Well i've sent out my queries and submissions. I've had a few rejections. It's a pity they don't tell you what exactly they didn't like. But, i'm not giving up. I'll leave my first book to the writing gods for the moment.

Hopefully one day when I least expect it i'll get a yes.

But until then, I've finsihed the first two chapters of my second book and there are another few on the back burner, jumping to be the next in line. So good luck to everyone and don't give up. I'm not

How to get published

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