How To Get A Novel Published In Canada
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 at
11:35 am
How Deconstructing My First Novel Helped Me Recover My Brain – Episode 4
In my late fifties, recovering from a near-fatal stroke and looking for a project to help kickstart my brain, I came across the manuscript of my long-forgotten first novel. When I decided to re-work the manuscript, I embarked on a roller-coaster journey of self-discovery. This is the fourth episode in that journey. More will follow.
The First Chapter continued
I moved on to the next sub-chapter. As before, I typed and edited as I went along.
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1: You do not need an agent to be published. If you only have one book and one story to sell (and not a trilogy or saga of books) then go straight to a publisher. An agent is better for you if you are more of a Terry Pratchett and you have a whole series of books and inter-weaving characters.
2: It will cost you postage (plus it is advisable to send a stamped envelope with your manuscript) so the cost of double postage should be considered.
3: Copyright is assigned by the publisher at printing but you own the legal rights to your own work. If anyone steals your book (for technical reasons it is the publisher’s book but that is too complicated to get into here) then the publisher’s lawyers will be the first to pick up on it.
4: Send in a good strong envelop or an “easy open box”. Fasten your pages together with an elastic band. Never staple or have a fancy binding.
5: Expect a very long wait, these guys are very busy. If you stick to their submission guidelines then your wait will be a little shorter. If your manuscript sucks then you will either get it back straight away or you may never hear from them again. It is the way of this business.
6: Be reasonable when you consider parental consent. If in the eyes of the law you are a child then you should expect your parents to be involved in looking after your best interests. It is, after all, a parent’s job to look after their child’s best interests.
I hope this helps. I have been in this writing game a while so I speak from experience. I would also advise you to read Writer’s Market for further advice on approaching publishers and a list of them. You can find it at the library or order it from Amazon if it isn’t available in your town.
I would just like to finish by offering you the best of luck in getting to print. It is very hard but very rewarding.
Copywriting a novel in Canada?
If I wanted to publish a novel, would I have to register my novel with the Copyright Office and get an official copyright before publishing? Also, is a copyright a binding legal contract? How old would you have to be to register for a copyright?
You don’t absolutely need an agent. A lot of people think they can’t get published without an agent, and sometimes that’s true. An agent is very helpful. But some publishing agencies to look at works without an agent. An agent would help you, so finding an agent would be good.
Some agents and publishers have reading fees. For example, to read a synopsis, portion or your entire book they would charge you a certain amount. Usually the prices aren’t too dear.
Find some books at your library about how to publish a book. Look up the publishing companies of books in your genre (for example, if there are some authors that you write a similar genre to, find out who their publisher is). Then you’ll need to find out who, in that publishing company, would look at unsolicited first novels in your genre.
It’s a lot of work but if you’ve got a good manuscript it’s worth it and you might get lucky.
In Canada, what’s the best way to get your first novel published?
I was born to be a writer, and have been secretly writing my first novel, but I’m only 13. It’s so far 96 pages cover to cover, but I’m still working on it. I don’t know how I could get someone to read it since I can’t print it off at home without my parents freaking out, and I want to keep this somewhat ‘under the table’, especially if my story gets rejected. Any suggestions on what I can do? Does anyone know any good publishers that are local to me? Any suggestions that can try and keep this in secret and not involve too many people would be VERY MUCH appreciated.
I live in Ontario, and I think I’ll try writing a local author I love to read. Maybe he’ll have some further suggestions. Thank you responders for all your help! I’d been struggling with what to do when it’s finished for a while, and now I’m feeling much more confident.
How to get a novel published if you’re fourteen?
How would I go about getting a novel published without an agent? First of all, would it cost me money to send in a manuscript? Second of all, do I need a copyright before I send in my work or will my possible publisher do that for me? Thirdly, what do I send in and how do I send it? How long can I expect to wait for a reply? How old do you have to be in CANADA to publish a book without parental consent?
How to get a novel published WITHOUT an agent?
How would I go about getting a novel published without an agent? First of all, would it cost me money to send in a manuscript? Second of all, do I need a copyright before I send in my work or will my possible publisher do that for me? Thirdly, what do I send in and how do I send it? How long can I expect to wait for a reply? How old do you have to be in CANADA to publish a book without parental consent?
Do you have to register for a copyright to publish a book in Canada?
If I wanted to publish a novel, would I have to register my novel with the Copyright Office and get an official copyright before publishing? Also, is a copyright a binding legal contract? How old would you have to be to register for a copyright?
Join a writer’s guild. Find a writer’s group in your city or small town. Find someone who knows someone who’s a writer. In Canada, knowing a published writer is more helpful than knowing a publisher (unless you actually do know a publisher).
I live in Saskatoon where we have writer’s groups, a writer’s guild, and a writer-in-residence in the library who helps beginning writers (a novelist this year).
Where in Canada do you live?
Age will not be a problem since you’re thirteen. You will get a lot of advice. Heed all advice except when they tell you to give up. When they say that, keep trying. And trying and trying and trying.
If you are published through the proper channels via an official publisher and for sale in the shops, you have automatic copyright protection.
I hope this helps.