How to get a book published?

Question

I am a first time author, and I am almost complete with my novel. I still have the rough draft to tweak, and get it printed in manuscript form.

Here are some of my questions regarding the publishing process.

1)Should I obtain legal council to protect the rights to my book? What is the process and reasoning behind this?

2) How do I know where to go?

3)What are publishers looking for when considering putting books into print?

4)I have characters in my novel that are named and/or based after people I know. Would there be any reason for me to worry about libel?

5)Are there any websites or publications I should look into to help with this process?

Again, thank you ahead of time.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

1. I would get your novel copyrighted before you start sending it out, yes, Otherwise they could steal it. There are so many copyrighting companies that will do this for you, lawyers aren't particularly necessary.

2. I'm guessing by where to go you mean where to go to get published? Go to your local library, pick out a fair few different books that are similar genre's and styles to yours, and write down the information about their publishers. Then research them online, see if they'd be interested in your work, and send your manuscripts to them. That's the easiest way.

3. Different publishers look for different things. I'd suggest going onto any publisher's websites which you are considering sending your manuscript to and seeing the genre's and layouts of the manuscripts in which they prefer.

4. I would ask the people you have used about this. Some people may be upset if you have written something in there that they wouldn't be pleased with, so I'd ask them how they'd feel about it. Though if you change the names and make sure it isn't obvious that it's them, then you should be in the clear.

5. I'm not sure what country you're from, so I can't suggest any specific ones, but there are novels out there called 'writer's marketplaces' and things like that which have almost every detail you'll need for publishing.

How to get a book published?

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