Publishing

[Nighthawk]

NTSMS probably isn't the right place to post this, but I thought I'd give it a go.


Does anyone here know how publishing your works works (Geddit? Geddit?) in Europe?


This, of course, goes to you who actually live here. I'd especially like to know how one would approach such an enterprise without actually living in the country he would like to publish a book in.


If someone out there has some connections but isn't from Europe, I'd still gladly buy you a drink.

[Markus]

Hey Hawk,

what kind of work are we talking about?

Basically, the process is the same everywhere - find a publishing house that likes your book enoug to publish it or do a book-on-demand.

Cheers!

Markus

[Nighthawk]

Hey Hawk,

what kind of work are we talking about?

A collection of stories, mostly humoristic in nature.

Of course, we could be talking about plays, full-length novels and whatnot if I'm not too lazy. I'd like to start with, as I've said, a collection of stories.

Basically I have two parts of the book in mind:
1. Tales from the Infernal Abyss (working title) - stories that, in one way or the other, feature the devil, a devil, a demon or something that comes from that giddy place we like to call Hell, Hel, Hades or whatnot. Humoristic.

2. And then some - not so humoristic... this and that, bits and pieces.

I can give you an example of both, if you want.

Basically, the process is the same everywhere - find a publishing house that likes your book enough to publish it or do a book-on-demand.

Yeah... that's what I'm interested in - where to find such a publishing house. Here, back home, I'm not so sure there would even be a demand for some of the stories I write (or that a publishing house would find it in their interest to publish these stories - I guess a minor one might, but then there's the question of marketing and I'm not sure anyone would even know the book is there). For some strange reason, I think that maybe in Germany or somewhere else in Europe (oh, that fabled bastion of truth and spam!) someone might be interested.

I dunno.


I'd like to send some e-mails, but don't know where to start.

[Markus]

Hey Hawk,

I happen to know someone from a publishing house that is specialised in more serious literature. So that one won't be able to help to you much. I also happen to know someone from a publishing house specialised in science-fiction, but that is also a very, very small house.

You'll also need translators, don't you? I happen to know someone who speaks English quite acceptably and German rather well... If that guy translates an example, you could send it to bigger publishing houses - if they're interested you'll find terms regarding the translation of the rest.

Something tells me that our Evil Queen might be able to give you a hint or two, too.

Cheers!

Markus

[Nighthawk]

Hey Hawk,

I happen to know someone from a publishing house that is specialised in more serious literature. So that one won't be able to help to you much. I also happen to know someone from a publishing house specialised in science-fiction, but that is also a very, very small house.

Define more serious literature. Remember, I'm a wannabe writer *and* I study philosophy *egotrip mode*


All kidding aside, he might. I mean, I could give it a shot - I've got more than one ace (or, um, at least a 10 or a 7) up my sleeve.

You'll also need translators, don't you? I happen to know someone who speaks English quite acceptably and German rather well... If that guy translates an example, you could send it to bigger publishing houses - if they're interested you'll find terms regarding the translation of the rest.

Yup, I will.

I mean, I took Germany as a random example. Anywhere will do, really

Still, I'd appreciate any help.

Something tells me that our Evil Queen might be able to give you a hint or two, too.

*raises his right eyebrow questioningly*

A'right. I'll wait for the Evil Queen to emerge from her slumber

[Markus]

Hey Hawk,

of course your humour is utterly serious, but trust me - that publishing house is not the right one for you.

Still, send me a PM when you intend to invade the German book market.

Cheers!

Markus

[Nighthawk]

Hey Hawk,

of course your humour is utterly serious, but trust me - that publishing house is not the right one for you.

That's not what I meant, but nevermind

I'll trust your judgment (and may Cthulhu have mercy on my soul).


Thankiee-sai. *bows*

[Lucy]

Well, once I knew somebody from a publishing house, but... I didn't accept a job there and this is the only thing I regret in my life.

Is Hungary an option for you?

[Nighthawk]

Well, once I knew somebody from a publishing house, but... I didn't accept a job there and this is the only thing I regret in my life.

Is Hungary an option for you?

'fcourse. Hungary's actually closer than Germany

I'm looking to publish a few things... the wheres and hows are a bit blurry.

But the will is there and I suppose that's what's important.


...


I tell myself that's what's important. If I repeat it enough times, maybe it becomes true.

[Lucy]

I can give you an example of both, if you want.

Please, do that!

Why do you want to publish abroad? Maybe you have already published something in your home country and now you want to expand the territory of your readers?

[Nighthawk]

Please, do that!

PM me your e-mail address and I can send you an example. I'd post it here, but as I've said to Markus, 10 Word pages just copy-pasted into a post wouldn't look particularly pleasing.

Why do you want to publish abroad? Maybe you have already published something in your home country and now you want to expand the territory of your readers?

Ah yes, and to that end I post on strange and obscure forums in hope that someone will catch on... *evilgrin*

No, I am yet to publish anything... I mean, in an official capacity. I've had my works published in various magazines but that was more or less just a part of this literary contest or that literary contest. I'd like to throw a book at someone and have them discover later that it was, in fact, my book that gave them a concussion.

I mostly write in the good ol' Anglo-saxon, because wordplay isn't all it's cracked up to be in Croatian (my glorious mother tongue) and I feel more comfortable writing in English. That's not to say that I'm better at it - I just feel more comfortable. Social interaction in the said foreign language is also easier, so I thought I'd combine the two.

[Lucy]

I'll pm my email adress to you.

Then translating your work would destroy its wordplays... So would you like to publish in English?

And what about publishing in the internet? Making an own site and spreading the link to all places you can?

[Nighthawk]

Then translating your work would destroy its wordplays... So would you like to publish in English?

Yeah, publishing in English would be the optimal solution. Then again, publishing in English here in Croatia is... well, something you don't really do. I think.

I mean, I can hear people say: 'Yeeeeaah, English, that's nice, but you better stick with Croatian.' which is kinda a bummer.

And what about publishing in the internet? Making an own site and spreading the link to all places you can?

The internet is, by all standards, the playground of the imagination. Anything you can imagine, anything you can think of, you can put online for all the world to see - anyone can be a writer, anyone can be a painter, anyone can be a publisher. The jugglers and the clowns form unions here and march down Trafalgar square waving anti-war, pro-creation, neoconservative neon signs claiming that their word is the law, and no one can question them because the internet gives them the right to be right. It's every libertarian's (and his dog's) dream come true - and that's why I like it.

That's why I don't like it. It's chaotic and unpredictable, it's a bastion of half-truths and he-said-she-saids which serve as we-saids once enough people start believing in what they read.

It's, in a way, the easy way out. Anyone can be a writer here - because everyone reads everyone. You can't be not-read on the internet - someone will at one point come along and say 'hey, thats great u roxxorz cum vizit my site lol' and with that one comment you lose all perspective on how good you really are and how many people really read you. When you have your words on paper, you feel like you've accomplished something, no matter how small or trivial it is. Look at me ma, I'm in the papers.

Blogs can serve my purpose just as good as any other site... especially considering I'm low on cash - even lower are my prospects of acquiring any. But, even with that in mind, I'm not too keen on the internet option. Tried it, in a way. Didn't work out.


I hope that answers your question

[Lucy]

'hey, thats great u roxxorz cum vizit my site lol'

Alright, I understood.

I got the mail, thanks!

I'll do my best - so don't expect anything!

[Elizabeth]

Hey, Hawk!

My humble self must admit having a great surprise reading that you're from Croatia. I was almost sure you live in the US!   

I cannot contribute at all with the publishing process: have a vague idea about the process, but reading is my thing, not publishing. I could just translate into Romanian or Spanish, if that makes any difference 

Could I get the teaser too, please? 

[Nighthawk]

PM yer e-mail and I'll see what I can do

[Luth]

I'm not an expert, but I know something about publishing... I can't read all the topic now neither preperly reply (I'm at work). If I have some free time to read and post (unlikely) or when I'll have connection at home again, I'll reply you, I promise!

Although I don't know if someone has already replied you and I didn't read it... 

[Luth]

After a very-fast reading of the topic, there's my answer:

Best way to get something published is, of course, be famous enough to need no search for the publishing house, but the publisher searches you! As I suppose it's not your case, second best way to get it is to have a someone who represents you (in Spain there's an important tradition of representants, I dunno about the rest of Europe). But... it is expensive, and not easy, because the representant will only accept you if s/he trusts in your future success.

The other way is to search for the good publishing house, looking which one uses to publish literature alike yours, and send them your work. What I've ever seen is writers sending their book written in paper, not in word, but to send it to a foreig country can be really expensive. You can also send only few of your stories, the best ones of course, and cross fingers the publisher will enjoy them...

Another last option is to know somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody who knows.... in the correct publishing house, and expect this person had relevance enough in the house to be listened. The fewer "who knows somebody who knows...", the better for you!

I think it won't help you too much, but tried