Let's All Get Published!

There are several energetic young agents at Writer's House (a top agency that represents many bestselling and award winning authors) who are very open to new writers.

Interesting subject. I do not consider myself a writer, but I have written a book. It was the only way I knew of getting out some extremely important information that I received from the spiritual realm subsequent to a transcendent spiritual awakening about 13 years ago.

When I wrote my book I was convinced that the world would be ready for the information and that I would not even need an agent as a publisher would surely recognise the importance of the message and the worlds need for it ... not to mention the rarity of my experience.

After all, my INsight once known would transform everyone and the world along with them. It is the BET, the "Basic Equation of Truth" after all, what our top scientists have been searching for that they call the TOE, the "Theory Of Everything."

Now why would not something like that just take off on it's own ? ... Maybe because an unconnected first time writer has no way of getting the attention of anyone, let alone the people really needed to promote such a truth.

Maybe the message is way too serious for a world stuck on titillation and entertainment where fiction is so much more interesting for those that put so little stock in real truth ... there is no greater liar than the one that claims to be truthful ... so why should anyone believe me, especially when I claim the ultimate and absolute truth ... and it is at the same time a paradox. ... just how truthful could a paradox be after-all ???

Well, I am old, the world is destructing fast by the thinking of the people just described and I have not the time to query one agent at a time as they seem to prefer ... with paper copies and snail mail at that.

So I just did it all on the Internet with a POD self publisher that promised much and delivered little. Causing me to develop my own crude web site where I have made the entire manuscript freely down-loadable for anyone that does not want to gamble the purchase price from Amazon ... but what the hell ... who cares anyway if the earth rotates around the sun or the world is not flat ... or truth is a Trinity of (+=-) ???

I keep hoping that someone wise will come across my book, recognise the greatness of the positive potential of what it could do for humanity, then tell the right person that could promote the wisdom in time to make a difference ...

But I am not holding my breath ... what will be will be ...

Spirit Calls ... but who will listen ? ... maybe YOU ???

This is exactly what I am talking about. There are so many talented people out there, and we may never know it, unless they are published. We won't be able to enjoy the Art, and yes, we eventually become frustrated. I want to see what you wrote, Jerry. Thank you so much Patry.

This may not be for everyone, but I wanted to get more practice and gain more writing knowledge and experience before I tried to find a publisher. I decided to join a writer's guild apprenticeship program where I have been partnered with a published author who reviews my assignments every two weeks. For me it was the Christian Writer's Guild that was a good fit, but I know there are many others out there.

Hi Sharon,
Take a look at my article, "Email or Snail Mail an Agent?" where I interviewed several New York agents and gathered their thoughts on the best way to query.
Go to: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976967932

Thanks.

Hello again,
One of the best, up-to-date web sites for agents is http://www.agentquery.com
You can search for agents who handle the kind of ficition or nonfiction you write and there are helpful articles.

Here is the link to Mr. Bradford's profile on the site:
http://www.agentquery.com/agent.aspx?agentid=828

Lots of luck.

Anthony, thanks for all of the useful information. After I wrote my book I finally began to think about publishers and agents. I had no prior concept of just involved and 'limiting' that was for a first-time like myself with an unorthodox subject matter.

So I just threw my hands up in the air and e-mailed off to a POD publisher in Charleston, BookSurge, because they had been recently bought by Amazon who I thought I could trust ... the jury is still out but looks to be coming up very negative.

I have been so disheartened about the whole thing that I have basically given up.

But maybe one of these days I will reattempt to seek an agent. In the case of my particular 'message', it is a spiritual 'mission' to just get the 'word' out to the public ... what is your view about sending my entire book in it's current finished form to an agent rather than what they 'usually' ask for ?

Try Lulu.com

Thank you Anthony for the valuable info.

Jerry,
The agents told me that they only want a synopsis of the work. This gives them the general idea. It is a way of slipping them info without sending out the whole thing.

Of course, someone else may have had different experiences.

I know what you mean Jerry. I too, am having a difficult time "staying in the game." I took some time off from quering, when I did not hear from the last three agents.

Personally, I am thinking about finding a conference. Has anyone been to a conference, and how was your experience?

Thanks Sharon. For clarification, I did 'go' with BookSurge.com as a POD publisher, so I do have a completed book, both hard and soft covers available through Amazon and others. I have full rights to it also, so am willing to negotiate with another publisher to go the 'standard' route and get it 'on the shelf' of stores.

I paid up front over $4000 to BookSurge for an expensive 'package' that 'promised' much in the intended sales message, but delivered extremely less in actuality. They have a 'way' of wording their promotional message that SEEMS far more promising than it really is. I suspect that many of 'them' are like that ... whatever the market will bear.

Good luck on 'your' project. Keep us updated.

There are numerous grants that writers can utilize for their writing projects. Publishers are often more interested in a project that someone has already put money into...it's already gone through a review process. If you live in KY and happen to be a woman, The Kentucky Foundation For Women is an organization that supports you during your grant and loves to promote your work after your grant.

Wow! I wish I lived in Kentucky!

Thank you for the information, I did not realize there were grants for us.

So, it looks like we have to look up grants if we have a project we are working on. I will definately look into that!

i will add the agent u are talking about as my friend in myspace and then lets see how its goes..thanks for the info

Six degrees of separation right. The generous amount of information here is greatly appreciated.