5 answers
Kim
Student
Nutley, New Jersey
1
Question
Updated
1117 views
How do I publish my first book as a high school student?
A sophomore in highschool interested in becoming an author but not knowing the first steps as to how?
5 answers
Tom Foster
Freelance writer
26
Answers
Forest Grove, Oregon
Updated
Tom’s Answer
So far everyone here is giving great advice, so you might not like my answer, but here goes:
Get used to rejection.
I don't say this to discourage you, but to keep you alert and on your toes. You can be the best writer in your mind and the best writer that anyone around you knows, and it won't matter. I applaud you for wanting to write, it's a fundamental skill and one that not a lot of people have, but there are also a lot of pitfalls to navigate and a great deal of work to be done. With that in mind, my best advice is this: Just write.
Read, write, read some more, and write A LOT more. Pay attention to writing styles, develop your own, and realize what works and what might need to be trimmed, adjusted, evolved, or adapted. Writing isn't a simple matter of taking the correct steps toward your goal, it's a windswept path that might meander to one side or another at any given moment, leaving you wondering why you decided to take this course or thinking that you've got the world by the tail and can just coast. It's all of that and none of it.
If you're passionate about it, writing is what you'll do. If it's just a hobby, then you'll need to back away from it from time to time. With that being said though, I think the best you can do right now is write your book and hope for the best. Research editors, publishers, literary agents, all of it, and get ready for a ride that's going to thrill you even as it seeks to remind you that life isn't fair unless you're willing to sacrifice a great deal to make it that way. Once again, I applaud you for this desire and hope that everything goes well. Keep your eyes and ears open and your words flowing as long as you can, and remember that success isn't given, it's earned.
As for first steps, well...
Just write.
Get used to rejection.
I don't say this to discourage you, but to keep you alert and on your toes. You can be the best writer in your mind and the best writer that anyone around you knows, and it won't matter. I applaud you for wanting to write, it's a fundamental skill and one that not a lot of people have, but there are also a lot of pitfalls to navigate and a great deal of work to be done. With that in mind, my best advice is this: Just write.
Read, write, read some more, and write A LOT more. Pay attention to writing styles, develop your own, and realize what works and what might need to be trimmed, adjusted, evolved, or adapted. Writing isn't a simple matter of taking the correct steps toward your goal, it's a windswept path that might meander to one side or another at any given moment, leaving you wondering why you decided to take this course or thinking that you've got the world by the tail and can just coast. It's all of that and none of it.
If you're passionate about it, writing is what you'll do. If it's just a hobby, then you'll need to back away from it from time to time. With that being said though, I think the best you can do right now is write your book and hope for the best. Research editors, publishers, literary agents, all of it, and get ready for a ride that's going to thrill you even as it seeks to remind you that life isn't fair unless you're willing to sacrifice a great deal to make it that way. Once again, I applaud you for this desire and hope that everything goes well. Keep your eyes and ears open and your words flowing as long as you can, and remember that success isn't given, it's earned.
As for first steps, well...
Just write.
Karen Schnurstein
Poet - please check out my website at https://www.karenschnurstein.info/
2
Answers
South Bend, Indiana
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Check out this website that is very informative: https://www.tiffanyhawk.com/blog/how-to-get-your-book-published-traditionally
Check out the magazine Poets & Writers for everything writing and publishing.
An excellent source for finding publishers and agents is Duotrope. Anyone can join very inexpensively. They have a really good search tool.
For other opinions and angles, there are how-to books that your local library no doubt has.
Best of luck, and remember: never ever give up on your writing if you feel it is valuable. Never take rejections personally. Be daring, assertive, and ambitious.
Best of luck!!!
Check out the magazine Poets & Writers for everything writing and publishing.
An excellent source for finding publishers and agents is Duotrope. Anyone can join very inexpensively. They have a really good search tool.
For other opinions and angles, there are how-to books that your local library no doubt has.
Best of luck, and remember: never ever give up on your writing if you feel it is valuable. Never take rejections personally. Be daring, assertive, and ambitious.
Best of luck!!!
Amalya Sukiasyan
ESOL teacher at Washington English Center
298
Answers
Yerevan
Updated
Amalya’s Answer
It's great that you are interested in creative writing. Keep writing and improving your skills. What refers to getting published as an author, there are many opportunities in our times. You can submit your works to relevant literary magazines and publishing houses, asking for publication or if required, paying to get published. But some companies will pay you themselves for submitting your works. Also, you can use self-publishing opportunities and have a presence on different online platforms.
Enise Agel
141
Answers
Updated
Enise’s Answer
Hello Kim,
(I must warn everyone who read this, I am not a professional author, nor have a good advice on this, I give advice what I learned yet where I watched previously.)
If you enjoy writing, you may write your first book as a beginner. If you are writing stories, which type of writing this is going to be? (Short story, fiction, novel, poetry, non-fiction?). If you write story, you may start with (beginning-middle-end) as a starter, yet if you would like to structure the story differently, you can certainly twist them (middle-beginning-end). Yet you should note that you must write first person, second person, or third person narrative (Choose one - or second person in a few pages, and then third person, or third first, second person will be the second). If you have chosen to write third person narrative, you should choose the strategy:
1- introduce all characters, and tell your reader which they will know how characters have the main character, but the main character should not show that it is the main character; instead the main character must be an observer and tell the story for you.
2- introduce the main character which you can tell the reader who can visualise the character in their mind, and you can write other characters as they joined.
3- introduce one protagonist and other antagonist(s) which characters may be divided into, and you can write how they argued, or how all characters challenged each other.
You can learn more from other advisors here.
I hope this helps.
(I must warn everyone who read this, I am not a professional author, nor have a good advice on this, I give advice what I learned yet where I watched previously.)
If you enjoy writing, you may write your first book as a beginner. If you are writing stories, which type of writing this is going to be? (Short story, fiction, novel, poetry, non-fiction?). If you write story, you may start with (beginning-middle-end) as a starter, yet if you would like to structure the story differently, you can certainly twist them (middle-beginning-end). Yet you should note that you must write first person, second person, or third person narrative (Choose one - or second person in a few pages, and then third person, or third first, second person will be the second). If you have chosen to write third person narrative, you should choose the strategy:
1- introduce all characters, and tell your reader which they will know how characters have the main character, but the main character should not show that it is the main character; instead the main character must be an observer and tell the story for you.
2- introduce the main character which you can tell the reader who can visualise the character in their mind, and you can write other characters as they joined.
3- introduce one protagonist and other antagonist(s) which characters may be divided into, and you can write how they argued, or how all characters challenged each other.
You can learn more from other advisors here.
I hope this helps.
Katie Callahan
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
3
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Katie’s Answer
Hi Kim!
It's a great idea to keep improving your craft. We'd also recommend getting feedback from friends, teachers and other trusted resources who can help you make your writing better. When your work is ready, you could consider self-publishing OR looking for an agent who specializes in the area that you're writing. Agents can help you publish with conventional publishers with a fair deal/fair terms. Be sure to never agree to work with an agent who requests money up front, agents should only be paid when they've negotiated a deal with a publisher for you. We'd recommend checking out Publishers Marketplace as a trusted source for finding a publisher on your own or an agent. Conventional publishers help with marketing and promotion, one of the positives of having a publisher. Additionally, we recommend having a strong social media presence. For example, BookTok is a great place to start!
In order to find a niche, consider what is your unique story and your unique experience. Every diverse voice is sought after by content publishers, tell your own unique story. The best way to do that is to be very specific and honest about your own experiences.
Content tools which is great for brainstorming, but just have to be mindful of copyright/plagiarism:
- Chat GPT
- Grammerly (free account)
- Word Hero (small cost per month) - type in key words
- Scrivener: great writing tool with online support
Events/Resources to Consider:
- National Novel Writing Month is November (NaNoWriMo): a large online and in-person event that has writers of all ages and all genres, great place to find a writer community if you don't already have one. This is a great place to find trusted people to give you feedback. No matter where you are in your writing career!
- Mark Dawson's podcast: The Self-Publishing Show Podcast
It's a great idea to keep improving your craft. We'd also recommend getting feedback from friends, teachers and other trusted resources who can help you make your writing better. When your work is ready, you could consider self-publishing OR looking for an agent who specializes in the area that you're writing. Agents can help you publish with conventional publishers with a fair deal/fair terms. Be sure to never agree to work with an agent who requests money up front, agents should only be paid when they've negotiated a deal with a publisher for you. We'd recommend checking out Publishers Marketplace as a trusted source for finding a publisher on your own or an agent. Conventional publishers help with marketing and promotion, one of the positives of having a publisher. Additionally, we recommend having a strong social media presence. For example, BookTok is a great place to start!
In order to find a niche, consider what is your unique story and your unique experience. Every diverse voice is sought after by content publishers, tell your own unique story. The best way to do that is to be very specific and honest about your own experiences.
Content tools which is great for brainstorming, but just have to be mindful of copyright/plagiarism:
- Chat GPT
- Grammerly (free account)
- Word Hero (small cost per month) - type in key words
- Scrivener: great writing tool with online support
Events/Resources to Consider:
- National Novel Writing Month is November (NaNoWriMo): a large online and in-person event that has writers of all ages and all genres, great place to find a writer community if you don't already have one. This is a great place to find trusted people to give you feedback. No matter where you are in your writing career!
- Mark Dawson's podcast: The Self-Publishing Show Podcast
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