BootsnAll Travel Community

This is not strictly a travel writing question, and I'm asking about how to go about getting a book published, rather than a shorter article.

I have the opportunity to look at and rework someone's manuscript, which is essentially an autobiography - the story of this man's flight from Bulgaria and how he eventually made Los Angeles his home. I have heard pieces of the story and I think it is worthwhile but I won't know for sure until I get the manuscript next week.

In any event, once I have reworked his writing and it's polished, what do I do? Does one just start sending out copies to editors? Try to get portions published elsewhere to stimulate interest? If anyone has had something published into book form, or know someone who has, or can point me in the right direction to find more information I would greatly appreciate your input.

With nonfiction, you pretty much never send out a completed manuscript.

First, you send a query letter. If they bite, you send out a proposal package (which includes everthing from marketing info to chapter samples to the author's bio). Then, if that is successful and they want to buy it, you talk contract and terms. And then, once you have a contract, you finish the writing.

So basically, right now, you need an outline and some sample chapters. A really good book on this topic is this book, but there are a variety of books on the topic. Make sure you check it out so that you don't end up spending all your time on the wrong part of the process.

And check out "Writer's Market" an annually published book which lists publishers, agents, magazines, etc. and their individual submission guidelines.

Good luck!

get a literary agent first. Otherwise it'll be tough, unless you're thinking along the lines of a vanity press, or somesuch.

As Keppie said, but I agree with Anna: send out query letters to agents because most publishers won't look at unagented scripts.

This is a long-winded procedure and requires lots of patience. Research the agencies first as they tend to specialise and--whatever you do--resist the temptation to publish excerpts as that is a sure way to turn off publishers.

Saying that, it may be OK to publish an article/ 'story' which is loosely based on the biography but not a direct excerpt.

Ah, BTW, it looks like you have a finished manuscript. While you shouldn't send out more than a few sample chapters and synopsis, it is good to let the agencies know. Personally I wouldn't query without having a complete novel, but I'm writing science fiction and editors/agents won't consider novice writers with incomplete manuscripts because it is so easy to get stuck or 'lose the plot' (writing a first novel can take years. I guess non-fiction is different).

Thank you for the replies, good people. I was vaguely aware of the agent thing and having to send out query letters, but was hoping that there might have been alternative. I suppose if there was, everybody would be doing it and I would have heard about it. Any suggestions on where to look for an appropriate agent when the time is right?

And here's a bonus question. I do not actually have a completed manuscript. What I will have in my hands in a day or two is a draft written by the subject. I know that his English will be rough and the entire thing will need to be rewritten, but I am trusting that the essence of the story will be there, and I can always turn to the primary source for details and explanations. As a ghost writer I will need to rewrite the entire thing, as I said, as well as do some historical research to give the story context etc, etc.

So the question is, how much should I be asking for as compensation? Is there a standard percentage? Or should it be an amount agreed upon between friends? I am not looking to exploit the man, but I would like to cover my costs, and, if enough copies are sold, make some money on the venture.

I realize this is premature, but couldn't hurt to know upfront. Thanks again.