# How to get a first novel published **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 3, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-first-novel-published/211235 "2003-11-03T23:31:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MrAndrewV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@MrAndrewV](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAndrewV)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-first-novel-published/211235/1 "2003-11-03T23:31:45Z")
Hey guys. I have just finished the first draft of my frist novel. Ok. Now what? Seriously. I have no idea of how to get the darn thing published. My book is in the scifi/horror genre and I think it is quite fun really. But then I would wouldn’t I? 😉 I just need to get someone in power to read it. Living in Cape Town South Africa I do not have access to many resources to help young writers that you lucky Americans and Brits have 🙂 I could really use any advice that you could give me. Thanks guys -Andrew V ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-first-novel-published/211235/2 "2003-11-04T00:41:19Z")
The best bet would be to prepare a submission and send it to a US publisher. The big problem would be to get postage for a reply, but if you send off a disposable manuscript, you can include International Reply Coupons (IRCs). You can get these from your local post office (be firm; some don’t know they exist). You’ll need at least two for a one-page letter from the US. As far as publishers are concerned, [http://www.ralan.com](http://www.ralan.com) has a list of US publishers and what they are looking for. Note that **No unsolicited subs** means you should never send a manuscript (or proposal) to them without asking. In addition, if they say “no unagented subs,” they mean it. Alternatively, you can look for an agent. This will be especially useful since you’re not located in the US. When choosing an agent, however, there is one iron-clad rule: **Never, under any circumstances whatsoever, pay money to an agent.** If they ask for a single cent before they sell your novel, run away. Fast. Check if the agent is a member of AAS, and ask for them to list authors and recent sales (if they refuse, run away). Ignore any of these rules and you’re screwed. Also, beware of vanity presses, especially the electronic variety. Any publisher that asks for money in advance is out to rip you off. Don’t be fooled by “print on demand” publishers – they’re just high-tech vanity presses. There isn’t a chance in hell that you’ll make any money back from them, especially with a novel. Even “PublishAmerica” – which doesn’t ask for money up front – hits you with hidden fees and doesn’t indicate the true cost of publishing, which you will be required to pay. Stay away. You can find some general writing advice at [http://www.sfwa.org/writing](http://www.sfwa.org/writing). Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-first-novel-published/211235/3 "2003-11-04T00:53:09Z")
Go to a local bookstore and look for a listing of Agents. I’m sure Writer’s Market publishes one. Find those that deal in horror/scifi. Collect rejection notices. Maybe get published eventually. Or that’s the way you do it in the States. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-first-novel-published/211235/4 "2003-11-04T02:06:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MrAndrewV \* > \*\*I have just finished the first draft of my frist novel. > > Ok. Now what?\*\* Proofread. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![raygirvan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac91a4/32.png) [@raygirvan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raygirvan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-first-novel-published/211235/5 "2003-11-04T03:47:57Z")
Cover yourself in tattoos and piercings. Be extremely young/old/female/attractive/ethnic. Have a background in crime/drug abuse/insanity. Publishers are as interested in marketable personalities as in quality of work. ---
**Author:** ![SandyHook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-first-novel-published/211235/6 "2003-11-04T05:07:49Z")
You can contact all the publishers you want and it will do you no good. Almost no publishers accept manuscripts, “over the transom,” any more. You have to have an agent. Ideally an agent that has a long working history with more than one publisher. There are several sites on the internet that list agents and their addresses, areas of interest, etc. My advise is to start writing them. A cover letter, 20-30 pages, and a SASE is what you need to send, usually. It also helps to have a thick skin. I wish you luck. ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-first-novel-published/211235/7 "2003-11-04T05:31:59Z")
A publisher I know suggested looking at other titles in the sci-fi/horror genre that you like, or that are similar to your story. Call up the publishers to find out who edited these books - if an editor’s name pops up more than once, then you definitely want to contact them. Write to them along the lines of “I’m looking to get a book published, and noted that you edited X, Y and Z. I think my book would appeal to a similar audience, would you mind taking a look at it?” And if they say yes, you’ve instantly elevated your book above the piles of unsolicited manuscripts they receive every day. She also suggested that if you do send in an unsolicited manuscript, write an interesting cover letter (not the sort where you send out 40,000 and only change the name of the publisher), and make sure the manuscript is presentable. Double spaced, neatly typed, no stains or torn pages, etc. That’s all I can remember of what she said. I hope it helps! ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-first-novel-published/211235/8 "2003-11-04T06:34:16Z")
You might want to check out Xlibris at [http://www2.xlibris.com/](http://www2.xlibris.com/) Their blurb: > [@](#): > > At Xlibris, we give you everything you need to publish and sell your book. We work with you to finalize your manuscript with our Copyediting Service, create an attractive book with our Publishing Services, promote your published book with our Marketing Services and then print copies on-demand for your readers. Of course, you always keep all rights to your work. I read a news article about this a year or so ago. But there is also at least one person who does not recommend the company: > **[About Xenite.Org](https://www.xenite.org/about/)** > > Xenite.Org is a privately owned and operated science fiction and fantasy domain.  Founded in March 1997, Xenite.Org is one of the first 1,000,000 domains registered on the Internet and is also one … Not my area of expertise. If you use this type of self-publishing, please let us know how it works out. Good luck! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-first-novel-published/211235/9 "2003-11-04T06:40:17Z")
Xlibris is a vanity press. You won’t accomplish anything by using a vanity press. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-first-novel-published/211235/10 "2003-11-04T13:41:29Z")
**friedo** is right. Xlibris is one of the electronic vanity presses I mentioned in my first post. It is a utter waste of your money. The average sale for these electronic vanity presses (based upon their own sales figures) is 75 copies. And most of those 75 are books bought by the author himself (to give to friend and to distribute to reviewer and bookstores). Stay away.