On Sun, 25 May 2003 13:42:10 +0100 (BST) lynn.mundy{at}btopenworld.com
writes:
> Now that I am nearing the end of my book, can someone please tell me 
> the steps to getting it published.  I don't want to put the cart 
> before the horse, so to speak.  Do I have to have an agent, someone 
> to watch my back so that I don't get ripped?  How do I get a 
> copywright for my work?  As you can see, I am totally new at this.
> Thank you,
> Lynn
> 
> 
> Lynn Mundy

First, don't be so worried about "getting ripped." It's not a high enough
risk to obsess over.

Second, the requirement or lack thereof for an agent depends on the genre
you're writing in.

Third, get yourself up to speed on the basics by doing a little research
(but, beware: writing books can become a form of procrastination in
themselves, and remember, despite the tone of the author, there are no
(ok, few) "set rules." For every "Thou Shalt" you can
find a dozen dozen
contradictory "Shalts." So treat writing advice (in general) like a
grocery store. You don't plan to buy every flavor and every brand of
yogurt, right? Or every box of cereal.... So don't get yourself caught up
in a particular writer's "rules" -- one of the early skills every writer
needs is a well tuned shit-detector....)

Those disclaimers posted, here are a few spots to start your education:

A friend of mine has had a lot of luck (3 nonfiction book contracts) with
           
Getting Your Book Published For DummiesŪ
by Sarah Parsons Zackheim (Author), Adrian Zackheim (Author) 
(List: $19.99 amazon.com $13.99).

This was linked (amazon.com special buy) with a book called:
Get Your First Book Published: And Make It a Success
by Jason Shinder, Jeff Herman, Amy Holman 
and the amazon.com copy says:
Editorial Reviews

>From Library Journal
The title of this handy how-to manual might smack of hubris, but it is
recommended by the Associated Writing Program, and the contents are part
directory, part inspirational anecdotes. Drawn from responses of
published writers to a questionnaire, the contents include writers'
favorite first novels and their thoughts on their first books, addresses
of publishers "favorable to unpublished first-book manuscripts,"
addresses for grants and contests for unpublished writers by state, and
the obligatory chapters on negotiating contracts and publicizing one's
debut novel. In tone and substance, this book is to unpublished writers
what What Color Is Your Parachute is to the unemployed: comforting,
inspiring, and possibly even useful. Shinder is a published writer (Among
Women; Tales from the Couch: Writers on Therapy) who directs the Writing
Program at Sundance Institute; Holman directs the Literary Horizons
program for Poets and Writers, and Herman is the editor of Writer's Guide
to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents. Recommended for public
and academic libraries in spite of possible overlap with other
directories. Robert Moore, Itworld.com, MA 
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. 


Book Description
The official resource used by the AWP (Associated Writing Program) and
the YMCA National Writer's Voice, Get Your First Book Published goes
beyond the conventional advice for writers. The book includes hundreds of
awards and publishers that are exclusively in the market for first-time
authors or favorable to unpublished authors. Each award listing is
complete with deadlines, names of previous award winners, advice from
directors, and much more. Each publisher's listing represents large
and... read more 

And has reader ratings from one to five stars.


The Writers Market books by Writer's Digest also have a lot of good
beginner info.

Writer's Digest is a good magazine for beginning writers -- but apply a
big dose of caveat emptor to the ads (particularly the so-called Poetry
contests and vanity (you pay them) presses). 

If you are writing a particular genre, there are genre specific guides as
well.

Anyway, GOOD FOR YOU!!! to have actually stuck with the project long
enough to finish (or be near finishing) the book.
That raises you above 98% of the wanna-bes.
Of course, here's where the hard work and heartbreak begin -- or you
might be Blessed Among Mortals, and breeze right into a book contract.
[It happens. So do lightning strikes =gentle smile=]

All sincerely best;

BarbJ


====
The hardest of all is learning to be a well of affection, and not a
fountain, to show them that we love them, not when we feel like it, but
when they do. --Nan Fairbrother
====
I've learned....that no matter how serious your life requires you to be,
everyone needs a friend to act goofy with. --Andy Rooney

--- Rachel's Little NET2FIDO Gate v 0.9.9.8 Alpha