Posted on 07/11/2022 8:55:07 AM PDT by The Louiswu
I've just finished a rough draft of a book length sci fi story, it's taken me a year and I've still got some rewriting to do but I was starting to think about the next steps in possibly getting it published.
I've not been on the internet in any depth for over a year and I don't know what sort help and resources are available these days so any help from published or even aspiring authors would be greatly appreciated.
Like I said, it's not finished yet, but the rough draft is good, it has a beginning a middle and an end, the story makes sense and with a couple of rewrites and with some punching up it might actually be worth reading. Thanks for any help.
Congratulations. That’s an accomplishment.
“The thing she has told me is editing is the hardest part.”
Not joking. I use ProWritingAide (catches a lot of stupid mistakes), text to voice (to listen how it reads and catch more mistakes), and then send to an English Major Fiverr Editor. I do this one chapter at a time during the second edit. Then listen to how it reads again.
My first technological thriller got 4.6 star average reviews, but knocked on editing.
Congratulations! Find a good agent and go for the best publishing houses. Sci Fi is hot now, people tell me.
Research online how to make the best presentation. Good luck.
I agree. Have a smart, creative, plain old person who really loves reading, read it and give you notes. Take them for a nice lunch for their help. Most people that love books would be excited to help. I used to be a story analyst at several large film studios. I could spot a winner book. Good luck.
It might take awhile, but find a critique group or partner wo can help you polish it before querying agents.
Thanks for all the great comments there is a lot of useful to go through. It felt good even getting through the first draft and I realize I still have A LONG away to go before the story is fully realized. Thanks again FR, folks here always come through.
Try over at the community at https://timelessauthors.com/
New novelists always think their first draft is good to great. Take a breath. Your vision may be a little biased and you may have missed some problematic constructions or scene jumps because you are so close to the story that your brain doesn’t notice them or makes the jump for you.
See if you can find a local group of writers (critique group) who will read your chapters and make recommendations based on their observation in return for a reciprocal read of their stuff. Hopefully, the group will be comprised of writers whose genre interests coincide with yours.
The more difficult and harder the group is in their criticism the better for your end result. If all their discussion is platitudes about how wonderful it is, find another group who will be honest with you.
I love sci-fi so go for it. I have looked on amazon how it works. From what I understand you can do kindle download and they offer a publishing version as per order.You only get about 25 % of the sale for printed copies because of the cost.
I read some peoples remarks on other sites about making a living on Amazon with self publishing. They say you do best if you keep kicking out several books within the year.
seeing it took you a year to write that would be hard.
I personally would try agents first. It may take some time to find one.
I would think an agent if they think the book is good but needs work can hook you up with a professional who does editing. But do not tale my word. I have never worked in the field.
Just a suggestion.
I wish you luck.
Maybe you can pay a college professor or school English teacher to critique it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.