did you ever publish something?
- Thread starter runwolf
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hope dies last
I must say I find it encouraging to see that so many people have managed to publish something
Maybe it is achievable for us mortals too? 
But how did you all solve the publishing house vs. self-publishing issue? And where did you get help to decide everything about the book?
I must say I find it encouraging to see that so many people have managed to publish something
Maybe it is achievable for us mortals too? But how did you all solve the publishing house vs. self-publishing issue? And where did you get help to decide everything about the book?
Editing maybe? If so then that's the hardest part of self publishing. I did a lot of my own editing and it shows!
I decided to self publish as getting a publishing house interested in a niche market book (in my case) proved practically impossible. I write for fun but at the same time I think my writing is good enough to be read by others. Not only that, I want my books to be read by others! Amazon make it easy to self publish so I didn't waste any time dithering about it.
I decided to self publish as getting a publishing house interested in a niche market book (in my case) proved practically impossible. I write for fun but at the same time I think my writing is good enough to be read by others. Not only that, I want my books to be read by others! Amazon make it easy to self publish so I didn't waste any time dithering about it.
SexyGreyWolf : It's really amazing you managed to publish these, and also such a cool ideas - so I take my hat off to you!!! Especially since I myself dream of publishing a science book for kids one day, so it seems to be in a similar spirit.
Edrof : But how do you know if a publisher is a vanity publisher? I mean it's not like they advertise themselves as such right
I would class a vanity publisher as a company that will take your money and publish anything, no matter how bad it is. A true publisher will want its (your) product to be perfect; a vanity publisher just wants your money.
I recently read a kid's book about the adventures of a giraffe and it was so terribly written I couldn't believe it. It was quite well-presented and, aesthetically, not out of place amongst the others in the genre, but the writing inside was dire. Intrigued, I Googled it and found that it was one of about ten in the series the author had penned (merchandising and all), so I checked the publisher online and it was a vanity publisher. The author seems to be dreaming of being the next Julia Donaldson and, in my view, the publisher has taken advantage of that despite her having little ability as a writer. She's probably sunk thousands of pounds into 'being an author'.
I must say I find it encouraging to see that so many people have managed to publish something
But how did you all solve the publishing house vs. self-publishing issue? And where did you get help to decide everything about the book?
It's definitely doable. If I can do it - you can do it!
Sorry if I wasn't very clear - I meant all the external features of the book that the writer himself or herself might have difficulties deciding on. So for example, the layout, the cover page, the size, etc etc.
@ SexyGreyFolk: What a thing to achieve, I still looked at what u sended us - very delightening to see someone's career go so far - congrats to that accomplishment.
@ hortensia: again, what about vanity publishing, where did u see advantages so far?
@ hortensia: again, what about vanity publishing, where did u see advantages so far?
Man of Honour
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I've had about 50 game reviews published online over the years, including one for Playboy (yes, that Playboy). I actually miss writing quite a lot, but I don't really have the time I used to. I've always thought I've got a novel in me as well, I just need some inspiration to start writing it.
Soldato
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Not quite what OP was talking about but I used to write articles for a Japanese car magazine a few years back.
My wife writes children's stories but never got to the point of publishing due to cost and market trends (was at the time Harry Potter came out so everything was about magic etc).
My wife writes children's stories but never got to the point of publishing due to cost and market trends (was at the time Harry Potter came out so everything was about magic etc).
Has your wife looked at self-publishing? Lots of children's authors go down that route.
Soldato
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Yes, I think she would have but she really poured her heart and soul into it and got nowhere. To scratch the writers itch she even went as far as applying to write columns for womens magazines...
Things have changed a great deal since then so I'll test the waters - thanks for that.
Just about to start looking for a publishing avenue for my first novel. Finished it as part of the National (well, International) Novel Writing Month last November and am about to finish the second draft. 120,000 words at the moment, so may be a little long; the genre is commercial fiction / adventure.
@ Dave:congratz man! Sounds like a good deal!
I hab a look at the novum publishing site even to have done and sounds not quite uninteresting, I mean you get a load of help for your work.
The most important thing is to geht publsihed and hold your baby your hands - must be that wohhoo effect! I would like to experience that once in my life.
I hab a look at the novum publishing site even to have done and sounds not quite uninteresting, I mean you get a load of help for your work.
The most important thing is to geht publsihed and hold your baby your hands - must be that wohhoo effect! I would like to experience that once in my life.