Published! I finished my manuscript (my first one) on Friday, solicited three publishers Fri night and heard from an editor on Sat AM who is VERY excited to read my book. WAHOO! I am so excited. Anyone have any experience/words of wisdom?!

By Pamt on Sunday, May 1, 2005 - 06:11 pm:

What is it exactly that you are trying to publish; what type of book? Did you send the whole manuscript or just a couple of chapters and an outline? Did you submit it to reputable publishers and where/how did you find them?

I have been published in magazines and used to do freelance magazine writing. The reason I ask all of those questions is because it is unheard of to hear back that fast, UNLESS you have an in with a friend in the publishing business or a particular publishing house.

If you get an offer make sure the publisher is reputable, make sure the book is copyrighted to YOU, and read all of the fine print. Hope it works out for you! Sounds exciting!

By Mommmie on Sunday, May 1, 2005 - 06:45 pm:

How exciting! I'm a former newspaper journalist, but have never had a book published. My dad has had a couple of books published. It's all very exciting! Can you tell us what the book is about?

By Clarabel on Sunday, May 1, 2005 - 11:29 pm:

I would love to hear about your experience writing a book while raising two kids.
How long have you been working on it?
When do you work and are your kids in school/daycare or home?

Writing is a passion of mine and I would love to get something published, but I rarely find time even for journaling anymore.
You are an inspiration.Maybe there's hope for me yet.

By Lauram on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 08:33 am:

I have been working on it for eight years. It is a series of letters I have written to my oldest son on his birthday documenting his life. There is a three year hiatus when the letters become too painful to write because his life beomes very difficult. I started out documenting his development, but the book turns into something much, much more as his life has. They end at age eight.

The publishing house is very small. The editor has Tourette's, which is why I think he's so interested and responded so quickly.

IF we get to the legal aspects- I will definitely have my dad help me with that. He's a lawyer....

As far as time- I always kept "notes" by my bedside table and in my car and then wrote a chapter a year when I had a chunk of time.

Clarabel- I also work full time- so my plate is pretty full. Yes- my kids are in daycare- but only when I'm teaching. I worked on the actual writing part on weekends during nap time.
I sent him the entire manuscript. I found him because I've read one of his books. A friend of mine in publishing had suggested to find books "like" mine and to submit it to those publishers if they accept unsolicited manuscripts. THis publisher also is interested in first time authors.

By Kym on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 08:18 pm:

I have something "almost" done, famous last words, and have started working on something else, so I have no experience in actually publishing, but wish you the best of luck, it's a dream of so many to write something, have something published, but never start, I think a lot of it has to do with not thinking the material is something anyone else would find fascinating! Your series sounds wonderful! My mom told me a woman is never complete until she plants a garden, has a child and writes a book!

By Lauram on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - 08:37 am:

LOL! That'll be the day when I plant a garden! ROFL!

BTW- it sat for 3 years. I didn't finish it until this month when all of the sudden it hit me that I "had" to. I didn't set out to "get published" either, but I have always wanted to write a book. THurs night, before I finished, I told some friends that I wasn't sure I would ever show it to someone. I finished it Fri and realized it MUST be shared.... It's funny how that all happened....