Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

I KNOW that Marymoon meant her remarks very 'tongue in cheek' ... and that it just translated poorly here. That is unfortunately one of the biggest drawbacks of online communication, you miss the inflection of a person's voice or how the remarks was truly intended

Along with Marymoon, I am sorry if you were offended

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

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Posted by marymoon

OMG, Don,,that was WAY out of line!

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come on i was defending you

Re: Has anybody ever wrote a book?

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Posted by Soontobekunz
Thank you for your KIND response. I was just curious about it - I was thinking about writting something - just as a hobby

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I'll be honest...it is tough to do as a hobby. If you really want to be published (and successful), it is something you need to stay on top of and work at.

I have worked in the publishing field for more than 10 years (previously at a division of a well-known publisher and now at a smaller science journal).

If you have something that you think is good, have friends, family, others read it and get their feedback. I would start with something smaller (an article, short story, whatever) and send it to as many magazines, journals, newspapers (depending on the style) as possible. You never know where it might 'stick.'

I will tell you writing a book is A LOT of work. I helped my FI with his book, and we were pulling our hair out. It was worth it in the end, but there were days I thought I'd have an ulcer before the project was over.

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

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Posted by frosty

I have worked in the publishing field for more than 10 years (previously at a division of a well-known publisher and now at a smaller science journal).

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I work in STM publishing too - where do you work?

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

A friend of mine started taking a class at NYU that teaches the basics about writing a novel. If you'd like I can get some information on the class for you.

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

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Posted by Soontobekunz

it was just a question...i am not perfect, so i made a silly grammer error BIG WHOOP - people do it all the time. it really is not necessary to make me feel embarrassed about it.

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Don't worry, grammatical errors are what keep me in a job! (I'm an editor)

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

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Posted by Soontobekunz

Thank you for your KIND response. I was just curious about it - I was thinking about writting something - just as a hobby

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If it's a hobby, I'd start either by keeping a journal or writing short stories. You can later expand on either or both of these if that's where you want to head with it. But by dividing the goal into smaller pieces, it's more easily attained.

ETA: I'm starting to speak like a counselor already and it's only been 1/2 a semester!

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

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Posted by marymoon

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Posted by Soontobekunz

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Posted by usuk2004

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Posted by Soontobekunz

it was just a question...i am not perfect, so i made a silly grammar error BIG WHOOP - people do it all the time. it really is not necessary to make me feel embarrassed about it.

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Oh, these boards can be quite rough at times

Marymoon was really just joking. Please don't be offended

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trust me it takes a lot more then that to offend me - it was just a rude and unnecessary comment

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I agree with you. I apologize.

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Thanks...apology accepted.

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

I work for a children's book publisher, so some of my writing has been published, but I haven't been credited (i.e. I wrote/am writing the jacket flaps for a middle grade series about girls and horses in different times in history)

Getting published is a tough thing. Start with magazine contests and then try to find an agent. Most houses don't accept slush anymore (unsolicited manuscripts) so agents are the best route.

Good luck.

For a list of publishers and agents addresses, go to the library and check out the Literary Market Place (LMP) or check them out online.http://www.literarymarketplace.com/lmp/us/index_us.asp

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

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Posted by THEKLIQ



I AM BRIDE WHO WAS NOT A MEMBER OF THIS SITE BUT WHO WAS A 'LURKER'. THIS TYPE OF REPLY IS EXACTLY WHY I NEVER POSTED UNTIL NOW. I'M SURE THAT NONE OF US ARE PERFECT.

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Welcome to the boards, THEKLIQ!

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

Thank you! *phew*

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

I've written a book-length manuscript of poems (my graduate thesis to be exact), but poetry is a different ballgame. First and foremost, I would check into enrolling in a creative writing class. You will learn so much from that, including whether or not you have the patience/raw talent/dedication it takes for all the hard work, as well as techniques on how to go about starting one. The Writer's Market, too, is a good resource for publishers when the time comes for sending your work out into the world. I also agree with the statement someone made that an agent/publishing company/journal/etc. will often look on your work more favorably if you've had short stories and such published first.

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

i am taking a class in November with the Gotham Writers Workshop ....my goal is to start writing articles for the local paper for extra $ etc...work my way up and eventually write a fiction novel. Something I always wanted to do and would be awesome when we have children....i dream of my office at home....

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

I think the suggestion of a writing class is excellent. I am pretty sure most colleges offer classes in 'novel' writing. It may be a great place to start, since you will not only learn how to do it, but will also learn the discipline that is needed to write such a long piece of work.

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

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Posted by xjulietx

I work for a children's book publisher, so some of my writing has been published, but I haven't been credited (i.e. I wrote/am writing the jacket flaps for a middle grade series about girls and horses in different times in history)

Getting published is a tough thing. Start with magazine contests and then try to find an agent. Most houses don't accept slush anymore (unsolicited manuscripts) so agents are the best route.

Good luck.

For a list of publishers and agents addresses, go to the library and check out the Literary Market Place (LMP) or check them out online.http://www.literarymarketplace.com/lmp/us/index_us.asp

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Other then that are there any online places to look? For example I was looking for my little project and was curious about a few of these sites. For example there is a site out there called book surge I too was curious but was going to ask a few people I have a few children books I would like to try and get published.

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

My DH is a freelance writer and he's in negoitations right now to write a book of profiles of comic book artists. He has an agent though, and he got that from contacts and from writing magazine articles. It's hard, and it doesn't pay all that well, honestly. Do it cause you love it.

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

Thanks everyone for your replies and words of encouragement we'll see what happens...i'm not sure i want to be published or anything...i was more into writing for myself...as a stress release. Thanks though!!!

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

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Posted by Soontobekunz

Thanks everyone for your replies and words of encouragement we'll see what happens...i'm not sure i want to be published or anything...i was more into writing for myself...as a stress release. Thanks though!!!

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I think that's a great idea! If you're looking for something less formal, and more just for yourself, there are tons of books out there that you can find on the Borders or Barnes and Noble websites that will help you get started and walk you through the process. For example, here's one an instructor in one of my undergraduate fiction workshops picked for us to use - it was very easy and user-friendly. The Hands On Fiction Workbook

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

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Posted by t

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Posted by xjulietx

I work for a children's book publisher, so some of my writing has been published, but I haven't been credited (i.e. I wrote/am writing the jacket flaps for a middle grade series about girls and horses in different times in history)

Getting published is a tough thing. Start with magazine contests and then try to find an agent. Most houses don't accept slush anymore (unsolicited manuscripts) so agents are the best route.

Good luck.

For a list of publishers and agents addresses, go to the library and check out the Literary Market Place (LMP) or check them out online.http://www.literarymarketplace.com/lmp/us/index_us.asp

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Other then that are there any online places to look? For example I was looking for my little project and was curious about a few of these sites. For example there is a site out there called book surge I too was curious but was going to ask a few people I have a few children books I would like to try and get published.

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I think it all depends on what you want to do with your book. Do you want to publish it to say that it is published or do you want it to be successful? Sadly, if you want it to be a success, you will eventually need the help of a marketing team, which a large publishing house can provide.

A perfect example is Walter the Farting Dog. The book was published by a small house and did okay (actually better than okay) but when they wrote books 2 & 3 they shopped it around to bigger houses. My imprint of the house where I work, made an offer and our marketing dept was able to generate such a hype about this book that not only did it make the NYTimes children's bestseller list, but it brought the 1st book to the bestseller list as well.

If you want to get your feet wet, you can try one of the online places, just becareful and read ALL parts of ALL contracts. Make sure you don't need to pay them. A legit publisher pays YOU!!!

Re: Has anybody ever WRITTEN a book?

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Posted by xjulietx



If you want to get your feet wet, you can try one of the online places, just becareful and read ALL parts of ALL contracts. Make sure you don't need to pay them. A legit publisher pays YOU!!!

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I work for a publishing company that requires subventions. ( AKA money. . )