If I want to become a serious author..?

What do I need to do?

If I already have a finished manuscript, what do I do? Mail it to publishers and editors? Or do I give it to an agent or what?

Also, how much money can I get for a finished manuscript? (I know it's rude asking about money, but I want to know.)

Mudkip2010-06-15T13:42:49Z

Favorite Answer

They don't JUST pay you for the manuscript. You get a contract with them and you make money based on the books sales.

You really should get an agent, at least until you understand the publishing process enough to do it on your own :)

Written sgnisuM2010-06-15T20:42:07Z

well if you have a finished book, it really helps to get an agent. They just know a lot more about the industry. Some publishers require agents. To get an agent you need to send a query letter in. This website really helps with that:
http://queryshark.blogspot.com/
Depending on your length, how well it's written and the contracts you use money varies.

Anonymous2010-06-15T20:43:39Z

You have to find an agent first (you'll need to write a query letter, google it if ou don't know what it is).
Umm...i think they will find you the publisher, and then comes the money and everything. I'm not published, so I am not completely sure, but I hope i helped anyway...

snazzy2010-06-15T20:42:27Z

write good