Dynamo1 said:
I just noticed this thread and was going to suggest asking Mr. Goddard (see above post) and Keith R.A. DeCandido (who goes by the user name of KRAD). Being published writers, I figured they could provide some tips. They have both posted in the CSI book thread over in the Merchandise forum.
Be happy to offer what little I think I know about the publishing business.
First, a few things that most of you who have been working to publish a story/novel/book probably already know: 1) you really do need a literary agent to represent your work because the publishers have long since been overwhelmed by the volume of unsolicited manuscripts that arrive in the mail every working day; 2) there are fewer publishers (because of consolidation) and fewer readers because (my opinion) of competition from TV, DVDs, blogs and the internet, and thus fewer paid-publishing opportunities for new writers; 3) publishers are increasingly less likely to spend limited advertising funds on new authors; 4) you need to have a first manuscript completely --- and well --- written before contacting literary agencies to look for an agent; 5) you should expect --- and not be discouraged by --- rejections from literary agents (until you convince them otherwise, you simply represent a potential drain on their time and profit-margins); 6) you shouldn't have to pay a good literary agent to look at your work (that's their job!); 7) be prepared to describe your plans for future manuscripts (they don't want to waste their time on "one-shot wonders"; and finally: don't ever give up (the only guarantee in publishing being that if you give up, you don't ever publish)!
On the bright side: 1) older authors (myself more-or-less included) are continually wandering off, dying, or getting tired of meeting deadlines ... so there are always going to be opportunities for new authors as long as publishing exists; so 2) one of those new authors might as well be you.
Having said all of that, I suppose I should add that while I've been lucky to have one very good literary agent over my entire writing career, I still argue with her (and my publishers) over what I'm going to write and when it's going to be completed ... and I still have to do the vast majority of my own marketing and advertising. And I would never give up my day job to write full time (that's a great way to either starve or be done in by your spouse)!
Okay, enough of my ramblings. I'll be happy to respond to any other writing/agent related questions.
Oh, and "Ken" will do fine. "Mr. Goddard" sounds like one of those old-fart authors I used to be amused by at writing conventions ... the ones who would wander off muttering to themselves.
