autobiography

[devilwoman]

i know its difficult to get a book published if you're not famous but my autibiography is now ready, its called my search for love and charts my early life up to the age of 16, my family and friends say its a good read and urge me to have it published which i would love to do but how? does anyone know of any good publishers in the uk , any help would be much appreciated many thanks.

[B00]

I've heard, though im no authority, that's it extremely hard ot get a book published, well if you're an unknown anyway! but there's no harm trying! Go for it.

I googled UK book publishers, and it threw up these pages, hope they can help.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=uk+book +publishers&meta=

Good luck!!

xxx

[mccfluff]

i read the ice station the other day, when it was first published the author could not get any publisher to take it so he 'self published' according to the blurb at the back of the book, however i have no idea how you go about doing this or how expensive it would be, but various options come up if you google self publish
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=self+pu blish&meta=

[Marguerite02]

the writers' and artists' handbook (published by a&c black www.acblack.com) lists all uk agents, editors and book publishers. most publishers prefer to receive books through agencies, so you could give that a try.

[nickmo]

Here's a list of agents from the Yearbook in case you can't get a copy - should be in your local library - http://www.writersservices.com/agent/uk/index1 .htm

Suggest you do not self publish - especially if you want to get the book into the shops, which would happen if the content is of interest to a publisher anyway.

You will have to find a publisher - if you don't go the agent route - that is interested in the topic of autobiogs., and expect a lot of rejection slips which is par for the course in getting a book to the reader.

You will need to submit a synopsis of the contents - double spaced is best - and an SAE if you want the MS returned. Not all publishers not agents return what is sent as they receive too many to be viable. Expect to have some sort of reply at the least to say thanks but no - if one doesn't come back to you don't watse your time chasing as they would have contacted if of interest.

There are a a lot of resources on the net about publishing your bbok, but start by finding either the aganet that can give you honest critiscm, or a publisher that can handle a niche title - be prepared for negartive comments too, by the way - not being nasty but your friends will always say it is a good read - you need to get that from a commercial/dispassionate source to see if it is true.

Don't be put off by any rejections though and take the comments on board, and if you are serious, you will achieve your aim. Good luck!

[devilwoman]

thanks for all your replies, i have been down the agent route for the last 12 months and had about 20 rejections so far, thinking seriously about just paying a good publisher to get it published and onto the shelves. thanks again. :0)

[spinchimp]

Be careful if you pay for it to be published yourself (its known as vanity publishing) - you might get the book into print but you won't get the marketing - and its the marketing that gets it into bookshelves. If you are not careful you will simply end up with a large pile of books in your spare room!

[spinchimp]

oops -0 meant to say 'into bookshops'

[spinchimp]

oops -I meant to say 'into bookshops'

[devilwoman]

oops thanks spinchchimp, lol

[butterfly23]

I work in publishing (we don't publish autobiographies unfortunatley). My advice to you as nickmo suggests is to find a publisher that specifically publishes autobiographies. You can do this by looking at Writers and Artists' Yearbook http://www.acblack.com/Department/Article.asp? article_id=22&dept_id=8 or by looking at the names of potential publishers in the relevant section at the library or in a bookshop. Your biog sounds as though it maybe suitable for 'Young adults'.

You'll then need to contact the publisher in their preferred method (you can usually find this out on the website), but if in doubt call them and ask to speak to person responsible for commisioning new titles (usually the commisioning editor), and find out if they would be interested in seeing your manuscript. Be prepared to answer questions about who it would appeal to, what its about etc. Usually they'll ask you to send a synopsis and 2 or 3 sample chapters. If you would like this sent back enclose an SAE.

Don't send any material to a publisher unsolicited, they won't view it. Some publishers will only view submissions by a literary agent. Dont be disheartned if they don't want to view it, there are plenty more fish in the sea as they say!

Good luck.

[joko]

unless you have an amazing personal story to tell, like a triumph over adversity or something, i think you will struggle - if its just your life story and an account of your past - who really will want to read it?
who will be prepared to pay out to read about a complete strangers life?
and to be honest, you say it only goes up to the age of 16??
so its an autobiography of child?
search for love? do you mean family love or boyfriends?
is it up to 16 because you are 16 now?

do you know any published 16 year old authors?

your friends and family like it because...well...they are your friends and family - they know you, they may even be in the book, but i think i will be of no interest to anyone else.

i think you may be best going for vanity publishing, and giving copies away to bookshops, libraries etc.

is this more about wanting your story out there or making money?

i really would not pin any hopes on making your fortune from the book.

sorry if that sounds blunt, and i don't want to put you off if you genuinely believe you have a great story to tell, but you need to be realistic.