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Publishing a book on games
metatorial
Registered User new member
Registered User new member
As part of a hobby over the past year or so, I wrote a nonfiction book of about 300 pages. The topic is related to video games; I'm deliberately avoiding more specificity than that to maintain anonymity. It has received several revisions and been edited, though not by a professional. I'm currently looking into publishing options and could use some advice. Self-publishing is an option, although it kind of seems like a way to ensure that no one will know my book exists. The alternative of going through an established publisher, though, seems like it will be lengthy, stressful, and random.
What are my options with this, and where should I be starting? How can I maximize the likelihood that this book will actually circulate?
What are my options with this, and where should I be starting? How can I maximize the likelihood that this book will actually circulate?
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It really isn't that much hassle: basically, you just find an agent that likes the manuscript, and they will pitch it for you. You can also just submit it to any publishers that will take unsolicited manuscripts (but don't hold your breath waiting for a reply; a lot of unsolicited manuscripts just go into a slush pile that is slowly weeded through).
Self-publishing is an okay option so long as you understand that you will need to do the marketing for your work, and so long as you are able to actually do said marketing. Paying for ads, knowing where to go and pimp your work, etc (basically, all of the stuff a traditional publisher will do to sell your book is something that you yourself will have to do).
But seriously, just find an agent and go with the traditional publishing route. You'll build important business relationships, you'll get paid up front, you might be able to get advances on your next work, it's less hassle in the long run, etc.
1) Expect a lot of rejection notices. This is totally fine and totally normal - it doesn't mean the manuscript is bad, it just means you need to find the right publisher. You can also save yourself some time by making sure you're submitting to places that are a good fit for the genre you're writing in.
If you ever get discouraged, just type the words 'Clive Cussler' into Google. If that man can find a publisher, anyone can find a publisher.
2) Do not - do NOT - pay anyone any amount of money for reading your work. Or pay anyone 'marketing fees'. Or... well, ever send anyone money in exchange for some promise to publish your work. Almost all such 'agents' are scam artists. The money should always flow towards you (the author), and nobody should be asking you for money. Unfortunately, there are a lot more matchstick men preying on people now than there were a few years ago (I'm not sure what caused the surge in scams), so you have to be extra cautious when shopping around.
Familiarize yourself with this extremely hideous database that looks like it was made using the Angelfire web tools. It may not be pretty, but it is the best resource I know of for avoiding scams & setting yourself on the right track with legit publishers / agents.
3) Even though you edited your work already, be prepared for another go 'round. Most publishers will have an editor go through your work - this is totally normal and, in my opinion, totally awesome. Don't be offended if what you think was brilliant prose is blocked-out for removal by the editor when they send you back the revised manuscript; they didn't necessarily think it was bad, they just know what their reader demographic does/doesn't like.
Dirk looked at the rugged man across the bar from him who had just killed twelve terrorists and rebuilt the engine of a 1928 Plymouth at the same time.
"That bad ass seems familliar Al. Did you catch his name?"
"Clive Cussler, I think he said"
It's hysterically awful.