Has anyone published a book in real life?

I'm currently working through a short novel that is soon to be coming to completion, and I have been reading about how to get it published.

Seems like a fucking challenge in itself. Yet another road to cross.

Have any of your ever gone through this and what were your experiences like??

I'm particularly interested in successfully published authors experiences.

Have you looked into self publishing, I myself am looking to take one of my ideas to print and was looking at using: http://www.lulu.com/

Its print on demand and they help you get an ISBN so you can sell on Amazon. Not sure if its something you were looking for but hopefully it helps

Getting published is virtually impossible. You need connections, a reputation and a hell of an agent (most publishers won't work with authors directly). If you have never published anything, self-publishing is your best bet.

I have illustrated two books for self-published authors, it's the fastest route to seeing your name in print. Good luck.

Speak for yourself, HireThisArtist. Two years ago, I used Lulu to self-publish a book that I had written back in high school. It was fuckin' amazing, and I sold a little over three thousand copies. Best part is, minus Lulu's small fee, I got the profits (like $31,500). Good times, good times. I'm working on another one right now, taking a different direction.

But yes, I have been published. I did it myself, but that's what all the cool kids are doing these days.

I was surprised to see this question today. I just received my proof copy in the mail of my book. I self published through Create Space. I just approved my book for selling tonite. It should be on Amazo*n within 15 days. I was very happy with the way my book turned out.

I thought the book was going to turn out cheezy ( like it would look self published)- but it turned out great!

I also thought it would be hard to self publish, re-formatting issues. I've only written 1 ebook before. Writing a real book is the same as writing an ebook.

Not that hard! Don't get hung up on fear & technicalities or you'll never succeed.

Lex Leto said:

Speak for yourself, HireThisArtist. Two years ago, I used Lulu to self-publish a book that I had written back in high school. It was fuckin' amazing, and I sold a little over three thousand copies. Best part is, minus Lulu's small fee, I got the profits (like $31,500). Good times, good times. I'm working on another one right now, taking a different direction.

But yes, I have been published. I did it myself, but that's what all the cool kids are doing these days.

Click to expand...

Wow, that sounds pretty nice...
I'm a pretty good writer, but just wondering what do you guys write about (fiction stories, non-fiction, childrens, teens, adults?), how long are your books, and how long do you spend to write it?

If I could seriously make like 20k+ off writing a book..I'd try it out.

One more question, what are the costs associated with it?

adrien23 said:

Wow, that sounds pretty nice...
I'm a pretty good writer, but just wondering what do you guys write about (fiction stories, non-fiction, childrens, teens, adults?), how long are your books, and how long do you spend to write it?

If I could seriously make like 20k+ off writing a book..I'd try it out.

One more question, what are the costs associated with it?

Click to expand...

My novel was fiction. This guy is a skilled hitman, but he fucks up and goes all the way back down to the bottom of the ladder. He works his way up, but the entire time has a plan to kill the leading guys. It's a pretty interesting story, albeit done to death a bit. It took me a year to write, doing an hour or two a day every other day or so.

The book was 554 pages long, too, formatted correctly. I got everything I needed to across without the need of an outline. Open Microsoft Word > new blank document > write.

With Lulu, there are no costs, they just get a commission on every book sold. It's a pretty nice deal, to tell you the truth. Brilliant if you know how to drive the traffic to it.

My book is non fiction. Page count is 53 pages. My idea came from the Amazon method. It was in the dl section here. Basically create smaller guide type books on a mass scale, self publish and then you have residual income. It took a couple of weeks to gather info and then write the book.Then 1 more night to create the cover.

The only cost through Create Space is buying your proof copy at a discount. They automatically list on Amazon and of course they get a commission. I have 6 more books planned so far. Knowing some about IM will really help with marketing a book.

Also if you can't find that Amazon ebook in DL's -let me know and I'll check the do not share list. If its not on the list- I will post a mediafire link for it.

back in the 80's, when I was well connect I wrote and investment guild.

I had connection, so it paid off, I made about 1.50 a book and sold a decent amount.

if I had to do it again, I would do it around a web site, build a membership site, start writing different chapter that mirror topics within the web site. when it hits about 20K in paid members, toss up the idea, see what the response is, get feed back on what people want, this way you can filter the book to the 80% group ( the group that will buy ) and not waste paper or time writing.

go the self publishing route, if your moving 400 copies per week on amazon, you'll see how quickly you'll get picked up by an agent.

again, start off with a web site, build the demand for your book, then grow it out. before long, you'll bank on both

Seems like there really is no realistic way of getting published then. Seems as though I will have to do this myself, just like evrything else of late.

Self publishing does look very interesting, perhaps I can even bring in some IM to help it out. Pfft, who needs publishers anyway?! On second thought...a lot of people do

Book writers and blackhatters. Hmm. Surprising combination.

As for me, I'm working on my first book. I'm planning to publish it at CreateSpace.com just to get me started and see my name at Amazon.com. I think it's the fastest way to get published at practically no cost to the writer.