I have $0, can I still get published?

@Ctyolene thanks !!!!! :D im really skeptical because im not sure whether the story i want to publish is good enough :(

Reply Report

@Shanniboo402 I had a quick look at one of your stories on WP, and I think it needs a lot more polishing before you even consider publishing it. Remember, people browsing on Amazon will be thinking, "Will I buy Stephanie Meyer's book, or JK Rowlng's book or Derek Landy's book or Shanniboo's book?" Your book won't be like theirs, but it should be possible that it matches theirs in some way.

Reply Report

@Ctyolene my story "Cowboy Casanova" is by far my longest and probably a lot better then my others. but yea, thats the one i want to publish when i am done. but obviously a lot more polishing and reviewing/ revising to do

Reply Report

@Shanniboo402 That one needs more editing before you should publish it.

Get an ruthless editor to pull it apart. If you don't, the reveiwers will.

Reply Report

@Ctyolene how do i get an editor?

Reply Report

@Shanniboo402 That's where it gets difficult. If you have a traditional publisher, they will give you an editor. If you self-publish, you are responsible for the editing. Some of it you can do yourself.

Get really picky about spelling and punctuation. Read your story out loud to listen for phrases which don't work. Read "Checklist for a good editor" (It's in my library) for more specific stuff.

But really, you need a critical reader with a sharp eye to go through it and pick out all the stuff that needs fixing.

Reply Report

@Ctyolene okay thanks :) you're an awesome help :D

Reply Report

@AngusEcrivain also, how do i get the money i make.? im only 14 so i dont have a credit card or anythin like that

Reply Report

@Shanniboo402

If you go through Amazon for example, you can get paid via check :)

Reply Report

@AngusEcrivain do you know about Lulu.com? I'm interested in trying them :)

Reply Report

@Shanniboo402

Yeah I use lulu.com myself. I'd recommend giving them a try!

Reply Report

@AngusEcrivain Really? And you actually make pay? That's awesome! (sorry im only 14 and I need some money) you know, family issues. My mothers always sick and such. I also want to publish because I have a passion, and when I'm sad that's what I write about or so on and so forth with different emotions I feel.

Reply Report

@Shanniboo402

I do, but to be fair the amount is negligible. Don't be under any illusions, it's not an easy way to make money. Sure you'll be able to convince friends and family to maybe buy a copy but beyond that, you need to market yourself.

As @Ctyolene rightly says, your work needs to be as close to 100% as possible. Readers (outside of Wattpad) are cruel. The odd typo will be forgiven... but you really need to edit edit edit... then rewrite and edit again! It's a long, drawn out process, but one that is ultimately worthwhile!

Reply Report

@AngusEcrivain Oh, okay. And one last question: do u know if Lulu pages are different then wattpadd pages?

Reply Report

@Shanniboo402

haha yeah they are... although they have a few sizing options... the standard one they offer though is different to Wattpad sizing.

Reply Report

@Shanniboo402 Lulu is fine if you want to produce print books, but the truth is that very few people will buy a print book. You think all your friends and family will, but many of them will either expect free copies, or say "It's not my sort of book."

Also, any mistakes will multiply and jump out in print. It's amazing how often a document which looks fine on your computer will turn into a mass of random characters and punctuation when you get it printed. And once it's on paper, you are stuck with it.

If you have a book which you really think is as good as anything you can buy in the bookshop, then upload it to Amazon, and price it so that browsing strangers will take a chance on it. Sales generate sales so a decent book will gradually sell a bit more every month.

Reply Report

@Ctyolene @AngusEcrivain Okay :) thank you guys!

Reply Report

@AngusEcrivain What I mean is... You can stay home even though you are publishing a book at lulu.com or amazon.com?

Reply Report

@Miss_Claridad Yes. But you can stay home no matter who is publishing your book.

I have a book being pubished on July 11 by a big publisher, there will be a lot of publicity and advance sales, but I haven't left the house. I deal with my publisher and editor by mail, e-mail or phone. Oh, and my publisher is in America, and I'm in Europe.

Reply Report

@Ctyolene wow.... and it hasn't cost you a single penny?

Reply Report

@Miss_Claridad No, I get paid for the books. I get royalty cheques. The new book obviously hasn't sold any copies yet, so I have no income from it yet, but once it is selling, I'll get cheques for it as well.

Reply Report

@Miss_Claridad However, I would mention that before you get to the stage where a book provides an income, you have to do an incredible amount of editing and polishing. You cannot publish a first draft.

Reply Report

@Ctyolene You mean, you never-ever paid for the publishing but you receive the get paid for the books? (Sorry, newbie.)

Reply Report

@Miss_Claridad Yes. I wrote the book, submitted it to a publisher, got a contract, got a list of edits they wanted fixed, returned them, got another list of edits, returned those. Got a form to fill out about my ideas for the cover, got a cover to approve (formality, I didn't really get a vote), then had to write six blurbs, and they picked the one they liked, then I got a publication date. When the book has sold, I'll get royalties.

I have two other books already pubished with a smaller publisher, and I get regular royalty cheques from their sales. I'm hoping that this publisher has a bigger promotion so I'll sell more.

Reply Report

@Ctyolene Its really interesting though...

Reply Report