&^%$# middlemen
 

This country is so damn stupid, you can't deal with anyone unless there is some damn middleman in there with his or her hand in your wallet.

So I finished the novel 26 chapters and over 248,000 words but the only chance it might ever be published is if I hire an Agent (read $$$$$).

Screw it, it was fun writing it anyway.:)

Have you looked at self publishing Rob? I'd buy a copy (fine print: if it was less than $50 :p).

Pete

What he said.:)

In some instances the middle men are really necessary and earn their money.

You mean like the mortgage finders who caused the housing bust.

I have found two Canadian publishers who accept direct submissions and since I have dual citizenship they accept direct submissions. A good part of the story does take place in Canada anyway.:)

Thoose people are leeches, I downloaded a paper from one of them and a week later I get emails and then phone calls. So I sent the lady some random chapters. Next phone call she tells me how great the novel is, but she can't tell me specifically which passages really impressed her. I mean that I know it is not all of a piece, some bits are more attention getting than others. So as a half price special they would print me six copies for a mere $695. Have you ever seen a modern offset printer? Hit start then hit stop and you have at least 100 prints admittedly not bound.

Go that route, if you can. Screw these American shyster businessmen. They'd probably just rip you off and tell you it's for your own good anyways.

Dave

I'm pining for a copy with dedication and signature. Don't give up Rob.

There are jillions of manuscripts, and only 24 hours in a day. Most publishers don't even look at unsolicited, unrepresented manuscripts. If you find one that does, your ms. will go into a 'slushpile,' it will be months and months and months before an intern-type looks at it, and it's then very hit-or-miss as to whether they will recognize the true worth of your effort.

So if you want to be published by a commercial house, have the book marketed, and thus having the potential to find an audience, you most likely need an agent. A real one, not a scammer. Real ones don't advertise, and they don't ask for $ up front.

So, how do you get one? It's a process, of course. Agents, after all, have the same problem as publishers--lots and lots of writers seeking publication. Here's a helpful online article. It's from the Science Fiction Writers of America, an author's organization. The info is perfectly good for non-SF authors.

http://www.sfwa.org/real/

Personal contacts and networking are largely how publishing works, I think. If you know anyone, or anyone who might know anyone, see if they can help. Info on who to send query letters to would be good stuff.

Beyond that, 'help,' would be the person has an actual ongoing talking relationship with someone, and is willing to talk about you. Names you can drop, even with permission, count for nothing.