Questions

I will soon be finished with a short story I am writing. It’s about 4000 words.
My story ***?lls into the mystery and suspense genre. I would like to put together a list of potential publishers/magazines. I would appreciate any advice from other ***?ople that have submitted their short fiction work.
Thanks,
Rachel
- Rachel

Mind you, this would not be for any academic study ****? purely in my own fiction.
Would I need any ***?rmission from their authors and publishers?
- tgchild

I would really appreciate personal experiences and good references.
Thanks y’all.
- OJ

The answer is YES. And I am living proof of that yes.

After graduating from college in beautiful downtown Worcester, MA, it was my single-minded goal to write and publish a book. My own book. It consumed me. I could imagine nothing less. (Looking back I wonder if me being so naive didn’t actually help me in the long run.)

And like many, many others before me and since, I thought a great idea and superior writing would be all I needed to accomplish my goal.

Whoa. Was that flawed thinking.

Truth is that the big publishers play the 90/10 rule. Ninety percent of their effort goes into 10% of their authors. The PROVEN authors who make them money with every new book that comes along. If you think about it, it makes perfect sense from a business point of view.

I even knew those unflattering 90/10 odds going in. (It’s well known that publishers aren’t WAITING for you to arrive at their doors.) So I didn’t even get into query letters or writing first chapters on spec or networking to see who knew who. These and other familiar routes are well-travelled and the horror stories about their usefulness literally pushed me to think differently.

You have to remember…I wanted to be published and I wasn’t going to allow anything to stop me!

So I didn’t. I spent several months waitering at some of New Yorks’ finest eateries and writing and laying out pages, and sending in proofs, and making edits, and checking cover colors, and getting book deliveries and distributing press releases, and doing radio interviews…and, um, everything.

The result of me wanting to earn a living through self publishing: over 12,000 copies sold in 19 countries. Not New York Times worthy, but not too shabby.

This article is not a plug for that book which was actually a short story collection much like the old Twilight Zone television series. That’s not my intention. I’m not trying to sell you anything.

Except hope.

(It was called “NIGHTALES” if you want to make sure I’m not a fibber!!!)

If you truly feel that a book is inside you and that it has to come out, I am living proof that the answer to the question ‘can authors really earn a living through self publishing?’ was answered by me and many others like me.

But that it takes an amazing amount of work to do it.


- Kevin Browne

I have been hearing lately that the fastest growing area of romance fiction is porn (erotica). The agents and publishers are just so excited about it, however, they never release actual numbers or percentages of growth. I (as a man) find it hard to believe that porn has become so popular with women (I have a higher opinion of women than men in most regards).

Does anyone know how much actual growth in the porn romance novels there has been? Has it gone from 1% of the novels to 2%, or more like 1% to 30%?
I’ve noticed some interesting answers, but I should note that I have no interest in romance writing, but my Wife is breaking into the industry (Paranormal, not porn).

As for the terminology, some of you are nitpicking the term “porn” v. “erotica.” The fact is, “erotica” just means porn for women.”
- bewerefan

I’ve gone through all of the mainstream ones, about 30 of them, but at some point it just seems like I’ve completely exhausted the market.

I don’t have the time or the resources to self-publish, and it’s a hassle going straight to publishers, any tips?
- Dapple

I need to make a cover page for a short non-fiction piece that is going to be sent off to publishers. It’s due tomorrow, and I have no idea how to do it or what to do. Help please!
- E.r.i.c.a.

Do you get them yourself or does the publishers get them? For photos. For example, a famous sports photo. Would I have to supply copyright info or would the publishers do that for me? Also how do non-fiction works’ sources get cited? Author or publisher?
I should’ve said obtain copyrights. I have no idea about writing books. It’s just an idea I have. I’m not going to start anything until I have more information on these kinds of things.
- intelliracer

I have just completed my first book of short horror fiction and was wondering if anybody knew of any agents or publishers who would consider my work for publication? The book is around 88,000 words and covers a wide range of horror subjects, from vampires to ghosts.

I hope I CAN find a publisher, as I cannot afford to self publish!
- alan213006

I have what I believe is a good idea for a non-fiction “season in the life” type sports book. The story will be more compelling a year from now and I am wondering how to go about seeing if any publishers may have interest.

Can anyone with experience tell me how to get started? Anything from who I would contact at the various publishers to see who to send my submission to and what to include in my proposal. Any type of protocol really.

Clearly I have very little experience in this realm, any further advice would be appreciated.
- fightintitan2006