Books?

[Welshwizard]

If I want a book published, who do I show it to? And is there anywhere I can get advise about writing my own book?

[ravenhair]

You need to get an agent, who will tout your book round all the appropriate publishers and negitiate you a deal. I assume you have The Writers and Publishers Yearbook (it should be your Bible) - you can find a list of literary agents in that. There are several very good books relating to getting published for the first time, but my advice would be to avoid all the ads ("Become a published writer in one week!!! kinda-thing) like the plague.

[Quizmonster]

Before employing an agent, go to your local library! Any UK reference library will have copies of the two key books published annually for writers..."The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook" and "The Writer's Handbook". In either, as an earlier answer here suggests, you will find which publishers want to publish and which agents are prepared to handle the type of book you have to offer. These are the only ones you should approach, obviously. In addition, the ordinary lending library will have many books offering good advice on presenting your manuscript, plotting your story - if it's fiction - and so on. Just ask the staff where to find them. Definitely...make the library your very first port of call...and good luck!