what do I do?

[southernhoneysuckle]

I have some questions--
I am so new to this whole thing and have no idea as to what direction to go in.
I have heard so many things about this PublishAmerica. I saw recently that a lady in our local paper had her book published by them and thought, "Well, if she can do it, I can do it." I have sent my queries to several different agents but no one is interested in my writing. My first question is, do I have to have an agent? Next, if so, does anyone know of ones interested in historic Southern stories.
Well, I guess I made the boo-boo of sending my manuscript to PublishAmerica in hopes that I could get published. I have not signed any contracts as of yet. Can someone lead me to the light as to this whole process. I'm as lost as a blue goose...:cry:

[CheshireCat]

Have you read any of the threads in this very informative forum?

Seriously. Get the beverage of your choice and settle down at your computer for a few hours and just read.

This place is better than a college education for writers, but you have to freakin' use it like the priceless resource it is.

:Lecture:

[Azraelsbane]

DO NOT SIGN WITH PUBLISH AMERICA.

::cough:: Sorry for the yelling. I'm usually not that offensive... Okay, maybe I shouldn't start off with a half truth.

First off, :welcome: to the boards. You are in the right place. These guys and gals around here know a thing or two about the biz.

You don't want to sign with Publish America, as they are the devil in publisher's underwear. There is an entire section of the board dedicated to why that is so.

Next, as for the agent, you do not need one, but it is preferable, as they do your selling for you, and will have a better chance of hooking a better publishing house for you.

If you look around the boards you'll find what you need. Good luck!

-Oh, and I'm from Florida too. Jacksonville, so NE, just across the panhandle. ;)

[JoNightshade]

PUBLISH AMERICA = NO

As for the rest, you'll get it on this site.

[southernhoneysuckle]

This is my first time on a site like this and the whole posting idea is something I am gettin use to. I don't spend a whole lot of time on the internet, other than checking my email. I do appreciate the advice and will have to really try to spend more time looking around here. It is just SOOO overwhelming! I'm glad to find someone a little close to home. I am about 30 miles north of the Destin/ SanDestin area.

[Azraelsbane]

Ah, Destin is pretty, but so far from me. You should move east. :tongue

[Williebee]

Honey, they're right about PublishAmerica.

But more particularly, listen to the wisdom of the cat. Read, wander, read some more. Particularly Uncle Jim's thread.

This place has everything from agents to amateurs (and amateur agents), multi published authors and absolute beginners.

Everyone's opinion is welcome, and, if offered with a good heart, read and respected.

And no question is taken for granted.

Oh, and find some fun. Try some challenges, visit the Office Party (OP), Post a challenge or quiz of your own.

:) Welcome!

[southernhoneysuckle]

Gotta stay here and take care of all of the bad guys...in my case...the terrible drivers on Hwy 98...what a bunch of boneheads! There's hardly ever a day that passess that I don't work a wreck. People are so centered on themselves and in their own worlds that they can't pay attention to the road. Like you said though, the surroundings are mighty nice!

[J.S Greer]

I have some questions--
I am so new to this whole thing and have no idea as to what direction to go in.
I have heard so many things about this PublishAmerica. I saw recently that a lady in our local paper had her book published by them and thought, "Well, if she can do it, I can do it." I have sent my queries to several different agents but no one is interested in my writing. My first question is, do I have to have an agent? Next, if so, does anyone know of ones interested in historic Southern stories.
Well, I guess I made the boo-boo of sending my manuscript to PublishAmerica in hopes that I could get published. I have not signed any contracts as of yet. Can someone lead me to the light as to this whole process. I'm as lost as a blue goose...:cry:

In hopes? Shoot, they will publish just about anything. Wait, I mean they will "Print" just about anything, as the word "Publish" denotes a certain amount of editing, advertising, bookstore shelf space, etc...

As the others said, read through these forums and learn. There are plenty of people here to help you along your way:Hug2:

[Saundra Julian]

Go to the "Beware and Background" forum on this site. Everything you need to know is there.
Welcome to AW!

[tjwriter]

I have some questions--
I am so new to this whole thing and have no idea as to what direction to go in.
I have heard so many things about this PublishAmerica. I saw recently that a lady in our local paper had her book published by them and thought, "Well, if she can do it, I can do it."

As others have said, stay away from PublishAmerica. They do nothing good for you.

I have sent my queries to several different agents but no one is interested in my writing. My first question is, do I have to have an agent? Next, if so, does anyone know of ones interested in historic Southern stories.

There are publishers that take unagented manuscripts, and those that require an agent. Go to Beware and Background Checks (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=22) where you can search on a particular agent or publisher.

There are also several things to consider about you and your work. Plenty of writers here have trouble writing those queries that get the request for their manuscript. In fact, if you go down to Share Your Work (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=26), there is a section where people post their queries to get feedback and improve them before they send them out.

Well, I guess I made the boo-boo of sending my manuscript to PublishAmerica in hopes that I could get published. I have not signed any contracts as of yet. Can someone lead me to the light as to this whole process. I'm as lost as a blue goose...:cry:

One of the first things I particularly recommend to any new novel writer is to read, study, and learn the Learn Writing with Uncle Jim (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6710) thread. There is more information than you could ever imagine in that thread. You'll learn about writing your novel; sending it out to beta readers, agents, and publishers; how and when you can/should make changes; and of course, BIC time every day!

Welcome to the boards! Before you flip out, sit down, relax and let the resources here help you.

[Bufty]

Welcome Honeysuckle, and whatever you do don't sign anything with Publish America. Drop them like a hot brick.

And don't get into any discussions about them with anyone who is excited about having their novel currently going through Publish America's pipeline.

As you said about that lady 'If she can do it, I can do it'. Good luck to her. Yes, you could do it too, but the truth is you would find - like the missing thousands before you - that the crock at the end of Publish America's promised rainbow is just that - a crock!

Publish America would publish your last 6 month's grocery lists if you sent them. When did you last see a Publish America book in a bookstore?

Good to have you aboard.

[benbradley]

Hi, southeernhoneysuckle (what a name, I'm in north Georgia and I can smell you from here!), historical Southern fiction appears to be a popular field, there was that popular "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" book about Savannah, GA, then there's a woman in Atlanta who achieved some success with another such novel, Margaret Mitchell...I'm not much of a history buff (except history of technology, does that give anyone any ideas?), else I'd start writing something in that area myself.

Have you read any of the threads in this very informative forum?

Seriously. Get the beverage of your choice and settle down at your computer for a few hours and just read.

This place is better than a college education for writers, but you have to freakin' use it like the priceless resource it is.

:Lecture:


"A Few Hours" is plenty to get you the consensus in the PA threads and probably what to look for and watch out for in publishers and agents...and then get trapped poking around the "off topic" threads in Office Party and TIO (Take It Outside)...but I digress (and have done so for the last six months!).

Go to the "Beware and Background" forum on this site. Everything you need to know is there.
Welcome to AW!

That forum has the stuff I mentioned, but then there's the Uncle Jim thread that I've been meaning to read more of it, but it's f'in huge. It's like a 2,000 page book on writing. I suppose I'll have to eat that elephant "one bite at a time."

Oh, and uh...:welcome:

[stormie]

Yeah, I get so tired of reading in my local paper about the latest much-published "author" and the publisher is PA. Or Dorrance (where some spend upwards of a thousand dollars to have one book pubbed). And they, the writer, churn out several books a year. No problem, since PA and other vanity publishers will pub anything.

Get hold of the 2008 Writer's Market and go through it. You'll find a lot of info there on reputable book publishers and reputable agents. Also, spend time here at AW. You'll learn a lot.

Welcome to the boards!

[jodiodi]

Hi and welcome.

I was born in Jacksonville but grew up in Georgia. I like seeing people from 'home' on the boards.

As for agents interested in southern tales, I think the Knight Agency in Madison, GA has a special interest in southern stories. They're obviously very good--they turned me down. :D

www.knightagency.net

Good luck.

[Fox The Cave]

Ask Uncle Jim. Go on. I dare you.

[southernhoneysuckle]

Thank you all for your comments. I think that maybe I am pointed in the right direction now. I appreciate it greatly!:D