teenage author...?

[animalbuddy]

I'm a teenage girl who likes to write novels I dont want to get myself into anything I cant get out of or anything but Id like to maybe get a couple of books published and anyone know any good links for tips and advice?"
I want links that are basic and easy to understand for a very young very inexperienced author about printing, binding, publishing writing etc:

[Anayden]

Try:

http://www.lulu.com If you wanna try self publishing.

[liss]

very nice and comprehensive answer TM. I like your agent beware listing too. Good job.

Listen to Tm. It's way more than I would have written, lol.

lulu is good for people who self-publish themselves. In other words, if what you write is what you want to see on paper you don't want input, and you're willing to pay--lulu is the best of the self-pubs.

And tm is also right in that as a minor, you may not legally enter into a contract. What I would suggest is working on your writing, study hard. Craft of writing books are good. The writers digest does a great series you can get at your local library.

oops: edited to say. Ok, in one thing TM might not have the right answer for you. Don't hire a pre-editor. Find a critique group instead. A critique group is a group of people who will help each other to achieve. Usually they are at different stages in their writing so they can help the newer ones to become better writers. You can find a critique group through your english teacher or maybe she can help you to start one. Or your local college. Or...if you don't want to do either--and seriously, editors charge money to edit pre published work--I recommend a book called, "self-editing for fiction writers" which is a classic in the field.

[T M]

Finding an agent:
First you need to hire a professional editor that specializes *in your genre*. Not only will they give you invaluable information to make your manuscript better they will be able to give you great insight about the publishing world. They know what agents and publishers are looking for and they know how to help you in a way that will increase your chances of landing an good agent - which is the next step.

Once you have a revised and edited manuscript ready to go you will begin to query agents. A copy of "Writers Market" is a must at this stage. It contains information on publishing in general and lists agents and publishers across the country. Locate agents or publishers that specialize in your genre. Keep in mind that the top tier publishing houses only work with top tier agents. Some smaller publishing companies will work directly with an author. An agent is highly recommended though. They know the details that can make all the difference in the world. Here's a link for the "Writers Market:"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1582974977/ref=wl_itt_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I32O2J22VXO91H&colid= 3URGRDFGH8V92

After you've sought out potential agents, you are going to find out what their submission guidelines are and then you are going to send them a query letter and possibly a synopsis, depending on their guidelines.

A query letter is your lead-in to a synopsis. In the query letter you are selling yourself as a writer. The synopsis is where you sell the story by giving a brief yet detailed summary.

Every agent/publisher has submission guidelines that they expect you to follow EXACTLY when it comes to format and length. They might say that they want a one page query and a one page synopsis. Remember that you should not hold anything back in the synopsis - they want to know the twists and ending. Some agents may only want a query and no synopsis. Their submission guidelines will be clear about what they want. NEVER give them any more or less than they ask for.

The query "phase" is their opportunity to weed out the duds whether it be for bad ideas or for not following their submission guidelines. They figure that if you can't submit a proper query letter then you probably can't write a decent, sell-able book.

If an agent or publisher is interested they will request part or all of your manuscript. Again, they have VERY specific guidelines about manuscript submissions as well. You will make the appropriate format modifications and will then send it to them by mail or email or whatever they request. When sending manuscripts through regular mail do not use fancy packaging or use overnight certified mail or anything like that. Doing these things will make you stand out as an amateur. If they like your manuscript then they like it. There's nothing that you can do aside from your query/synopsis and manuscript to stand out in their eyes. Here's a couple of links to help you write a query letter:
http://nicholassparks.com/WritersCorner/Index.html
http://www.sfwa.org/writing/query.htm

Also, do NOT copyright - or place a little "c" on - your work before you send it to any agents or publishers. Some people are nervous about doing this but the truth is that *legitimate* agents and publishers have no interest in stealing people's work. It actually annoys them and, again, brands you as an amateur.

If you actually land an agent or publisher the rest is up to you. An agent is an invaluable asset in the publishing world. Part of the reason it takes so long to get a book published is contractual details. Legitimate agents know what to do. They don't get paid until you do so it is in their best interest to do everything they can for you. Which brings me to my next point.

It is EXTREMELY important to research any editor, agent or publisher that you work with. There are a ton of shady and unprofessional people in the publishing business. Always check them out at:
http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/
Also, be sure to find out what books they have edited, sold or published /before/ you get involved with them.

These two links (above) will help you learn of the legitimacy/reputation of editors, agents and publishers. Remember as a rule of thumb that you should NEVER pay agents or publishers. They get paid from the profits of the book. The editor that you hire before you query agents will cost you anywhere from $5 - 15 per 250 words. The editor *is* worth the money.

Some of the best advice I can give you is to STAY AWAY from self-publishing. Self-published authors have the worst sales of all authors. Some self-publishers pay $1 (yes, one dollar) royalties so that they can claim to be a traditional publisher. ALWAYS check the legitimacy of ANYBODY you work with at Predators & Editors and Absolute Write Water Cooler (links given above).

Other than everything that I've said all you need is the ability to take criticism and rejection. Of course, being a minor you will need your parents to be involved in every legal aspect.

Good Luck.

[Samski]

ask the moon!!