Q&A for How to Write and Publish a Book

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  • Question
    Should my book be written with double spaces, or does it matter?
    Community Answer
    Before sending your book in to be published, check the publishing company's requirements for the layout. Some need double spaced pages, and some don't.
  • Question
    How do I add pictures in my book if I am using MS Word?
    Community Answer
    See How to Add an Image in Word . If you want to do hand-drawn illustrations, you can draw the pictures, scan and save them to your computer, and then follow the same steps to insert them.
  • Question
    Can I get a publisher at 11 years of age?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it is harder when you are younger, since your parents will have to deal with the legal obligations and the finances. Don't give up, and keep trying until you find the right publisher, using your parent's help.
  • Question
    Can a 10 year old writer publish a book they wrote?
    Community Answer
    A writer can publish a book at any age if their manuscript is accepted.
  • Question
    Does it work better to write a book on a laptop or a PC?
    Community Answer
    Either are fine. With a laptop, it is easier to bring the story to inspirational places if you like.
  • Question
    What can I do if my publishers don't advertise my book for me?
    Community Answer
    Talk to them about the lack of marketing to find out why this is so. Then be proactive and use social media and other online resources to self-promote the book. Also tell your friends about it and talk to a few local bookshops about a week-long window or front space display for a "local author made good".
  • Question
    Do I need to have a soft copy of my book?
    Community Answer
    Yes, nowadays all publishers prefer soft copies to hard copies. It makes it easier to edit, pass the manuscript back and forth from you to the staff, etc.
  • Question
    Should I type my stories on book creator?
    Community Answer
    You could if you wanted to. There are many programs and applications at your dsposal.
  • Question
    How can I advertise my book myself?
    Community Answer
    Try social media. Facebook and Twitter are good social media websites to promote your book. Also, making a website is a good idea.
  • Question
    If I am writing a book about my memories, do I have to have permission to use a person's real name if I am only using first names?
    Community Answer
    It should be okay if that person says it is. You should probably ask the publisher you are going to use to be sure.
  • Question
    How can I tell if my first story is good enough to get published? And if it is, how can I get it published?
    Community Answer
    You can always ask your friends and family and coworkers to look over it and give you their feedback. And if it is ready, the best thing to do is to find an agent to help you or you can post it on some sites for readers to read.
  • Question
    Is it okay to write two books at a time to prevent myself from getting bored?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but you may have trouble keeping the stories and their details separate.
  • Question
    How can I advertise it if I can't use social media?
    Community Answer
    Advertise first to friends and family, or find someone who can use social media and tell them what you want posted.
  • Question
    Once I've finished writing my novel, can I get it copyrighted and published with an agent?
    Community Answer
    As the creator, once you've written your story down, your have the exclusive rights for use and distribution. When you find an agent, they will typically guide you through the publishing process. As stated in the article, be patient, this will be a long process.
  • Question
    Do you have any advice for young teens who are co-writing a book and want to get it published?
    Community Answer
    Jump in and do it. Co-authoring can have its challenges: duellng egos, especially if one is a control freak and a lack of commitment or imbalance of writing relationship. The other side, however, is a hoot. Collaborating is a wonderful and exciting journey. And when one of you slows down, the other just might pick up the pace. Have a solid written agreement so there are no unfulfilled expectations. You could even do one via Skype and email. It can be an amazing and rewarding experience and there is never a dull moment. So go for it and have the time of your lives!
  • Question
    After handwriting a novel, what are the steps there after to getting my work published?
    Community Answer
    You will need to type up the story, then follow the steps to get published.
  • Question
    I'm 10, and I don't know anything. Where do I start?
    Community Answer
    Start by brainstorming. Think of an idea you'd like to read about - there are a lot of examples on tumblr - and pick one. Create your story around it.
  • Question
    My daughter wants to become a writer. What should I do to help her?
    Community Answer
    Support her! Ask her what she wants to write about and help her with getting the tools she needs for writing (notebooks/laptop).
  • Question
    If I don't have money, can someone sponsor me?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as your story is good enough to convince people to sponsor you. You could also take up donations (like through a site like GoFundMe) to pay for the publication of your book.
  • Question
    How can I get some advice regarding my book?
    Community Answer
    Go to a book club or attend a book signing. Get to know people in the business, or ask them if they have a list of people who can promote your book. If you're in school, talk to teachers, counselors, or librarians. If you have friends who like to read, you can always ask them to take a look as well!
  • Question
    Is it a good idea to write a book about basic physics concepts for kids and the general public?
    Community Answer
    Yes! If you have a basic step by step knowledge in any subject, especially science and math, this could be very helpful. Write letters to charter schools and home school companies and gauge interest. You could also try starting an educational channel on YouTube. Many people have used their popularity on YouTube to secure a book deal.
  • Question
    Can a 9 year old write and publish a book?
    Community Answer
    Technically yes, but it will be significantly more difficult than an older person.
  • Question
    How much does it cost, from start to finish, to publish a book?
    Community Answer
    You can ask published authors for their input, as the cost will vary, but it shouldn't be too expensive. The publishing company is in charge of editing and printing the book, so as long as you can write and print your story, most of the additional costs will be pushed onto the company that decides to publish your book.
  • Question
    Could I type my book using a typewriter?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can write your book however you want on whatever you want!
  • Question
    Do you follow an MLA or APA format for citing sources?
    Community Answer
    When citing sources, it's best to use MLA format for literary arts. APA normally is for research papers, lab reports etc.
  • Question
    How many pages should a book have to be perfectly bounded?
    Community Answer
    Fifteen or more for thickness is best, but it depends on the thickness of the paper you're using.
  • Question
    Can I write and publish a book for free? This is not including a printer, paper, and a computer.
    Community Answer
    It is possible. You have to find websites which publish online or on pages for free. Mostly, they charge a fee.
  • Question
    What should I do once I have completed the process of writing a novel?
    Community Answer
    The first thing you should do is have someone read it and give you feedback. Then you can try contacting different book publishers.
  • Question
    After publishing my book can I still make changes to the book?
    Community Answer
    Generally, no. If a second edition of your book is printed, however, you might be able to make changes to your manuscript between printings.
  • Question
    How do I print a hard copy?
    Community Answer
    Instead of using your own personal printer or a library one, go to a store that prints paper at a set amount of price per page, like Kinko's.
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