Any writers out there?

[kakkarot]

what's a manuscript?    (really, i don't know!)

~kakkarot

Secret of Secrets

[WalkerInTheWoods]

I am not sure about this, so I could be wrong but I figure it does not hurt to say this so you can check. It seems like a few years ago I heard something about Steven King being big on giving info to new writers and trying to help them out. I am not sure if he had any info posted somewhere, had a book on helpful info or what. I keep wanting to think he had some kind of written material about how to find a publisher and what is a good contract and such. So you might want to look him up on the net and see if maybe he has a web site giving this info.

[Tisha]

I write.  I've been published . . . arty and scholarly, magazine, newspaper. Nothing big.  I didn't even keep copies of half of them.  

'm giving you advice on style even though you did not ask for it:  The best advice is to keep it REAL.   Your best writing style reflects your soul (which is a call to work on your soul, when you think about it, yes?).  Do stream-of-consciousness as long as you can keep it up.  Clean it up later.  

The best books are the ones that talk about "stuff" but are really about feelings.  Deep feelings.  Dare to go there.

If you have not yet published small things, I recommend it.  It provides good experience with publishers and makes you feel good, to see your stuff "out there."  It also provides name recognition and good contacts.

Use 12-pitch, easy-to-read type, double spaced.    A publisher might ask for something different . . . but while you are working your book, this format is good.  BACK IT UP FREQUENTLY.

Listen to your good friends who offer to edit your book.  They may be wrong in your mind, but hey, they ARE reading it. Be gracious and thank them, and think about what they said.   No one likes a primadonna - - remember this.  Keep a sense of humor, keep it real, even in your worst throes of arty angst.

COPYRIGHT IT.  After you copyright it, give it as much exposure as you can.  Just send it off (in electronic format).  Over and over and over.  Expect it to be dumped over and over and over until someone grabs it and says, "hey!"

Actually, I've never been dumped by a publisher.  But I know what other people go through.  It's actually been MANY years (over 15?) since I wrote anything creative/scholarly . . . everything I do now is connected with, ug, work.  Publishing training handbooks and military directives?  BORRRINGGG.

Oh . . .  you probably know this because you are doing your research:  In a world of CDs and desktop publishing, the world is your oyster now.  You don't need a big publishing company, you can go with a small one or publish it yourself.  It's that cheap!

tisha

[WalkerInTheWoods]

I was just wondering, how do you actually copywrite something? I am writing some stuff of my own and maybe some day something might come of them.

[Cylentpanthur]

I unfortunately don't have any advice to give, but I just wanted to say thanks for posting the thread. I'm working on a book as well that I think will be good. I haven't got a lot of it down yet, but I've got a lot in my head. And I would like it to be published some day, so reading this stuff helps.

MEOW http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/images/icon_Smile_sleepy.gif" border=0>

[PeacefulWarrior]

fallnangel- thanks, I'll check that out.  About copyright, I recently read that when you finish something and prep it to send out to publishers, all you have to do to protect it- at least initially- is to write "Copyright" your name and then the date.  You can even insert that fancy little copyright symbol.  Then, from what I understand, when/if you are pusblished they do it for you.  Good luck with whatever you are working on!

Tisha- thank you for all the info, some of it I knew but some of it was new to me.  I really appreciate it!





fides quaerens intellectum

[PeacefulWarrior]

I am writing a book.  You know, it feels good to say that!  My book may end up being horrible and boring, but I am going to write it regardless.  Anyway, I need some help from anyone out there who has written or knows anything about it.

My questions are not regarding style or tecnique but regard, instead, the formalities of writing.  Anyone know anything about writing manuscripts (my book will be fictional by the way).  My other question regards finding publishers and sending out manuscripts.

Believe you me, I am researching this stuff on the net and in books, but I want some practical knowledge.  Thanks!

-Dan



fides quaerens intellectum