Book Publishing

Question:

Hello! I just wanted to express my major gratitude to you for writing the Alice books. You have no idea what an impact they have had on my life growing up as a teenager. I really appreciate your dedication to the series and that it be as realistic as possible, no matter what that takes.
I was wondering if you could help me. I’ve wanted to be a writer basically all my life, and you have been a true inspiration to me. I just finished my rough draft for the first book that I have actually stuck with to the end. I know it’s a long long way from ever being any good, but I would like it to be published someday. I went to a class on self-publishing once, but otherwise I know nothing about how to publish a book or get it out there. And I obviously don’t have the funds to get a publisher or editor or agent or anything like that, being I’m only sixteen! I’m not sure what to do. Could you give me some advice on a way to get my book published? I would be so grateful for any help.

Phyllis replied:

Congratulations on sticking with a project to the end, even though it’s still a rough draft and will take many more rewrites before you should send it anywhere.  Each Alice book goes through about six drafts before the editor ever sees it.  I know almost nothing about publishing a book electronically, so you would have to get that information from someone else.  As for paying a vanity publisher to publish it for you, that costs a great deal of money, and there is no distribution or advertising, so I wouldn’t go that route.  After it has been revised many times until you are sure there is nothing more you can think of to make it better, you should get a copy of The Writer’s Market in the reference room of your library.  A new edition comes out every year, and you should look up publishers who will accept the type of story you have written, then make sure they will look at manuscripts that come in the mail, not through an agent.  Not too many publishers will.  The best way is to attend writers’ conferences where editors will be speaking, especially those who will read a certain number of manuscripts while they are there.  It will cost extra, but it’s worth it.  You may well get an editor who likes your writing and will work with you on it.  Best of luck!  Don’t lose your enthusiasm or your hope of being published!