Once you’ve completed your memoirs, unless you have no intent of sharing your recollections and confessions with anyone else, the next step is finding a publisher. Locating a publishing house, however, willing to print and promote the memoirs of someone who isn’t famous or, for that matter, infamous, isn’t easy, especially in today’s book-publishing climate, where competition with the World Wide Web and electronic gadgetry has resulted in fewer books being printed and, consequently, fewer authors locating agents and/or publishers willing to handle their books.
Not that it’s impossible to find someone willing to handle your book, but whether or not you actually will find someone depends upon several factors, including how you present your work to an agent or potential publisher.
Finding a Traditional Publisher for Your Book
If you’re a celebrity or retired politician, high-ranking military officer, or CEO of a major corporation, you probably won’t have any difficulty locating someone who’ll be interested in publishing your life story; but if you’re a “nobody,” well, your chances are slim; yet they aren’t nonexistent. First, ask yourself these questions, though:
- Is my story original?
- Is it unique?
- Is it interesting?
- Is it entertaining?
- Is it perhaps even outlandish?
- Will it appeal to a wide audience, not just my family and friends?
How to Present Your Book to an Agent
If you can answer yes to one or more of the questions above, chances are you might at least pique the interest of an agent, and, yes, you need an agent if you wish to have your book published by a major company. First, of course, you need to write a query letter, telling potential agents a little about yourself and even more about your book.
- Provide a brief synopsis, explaining the book’s contents, as well as what makes it unique.
- Stipulate the intended audience.
- Tell why your memoirs will appeal to a broad readership.
- Tell "who" you are that makes your life story appealing.
- If you've had previous publications, mention them.
Note: Do not provide sample chapters unless the agent’s submission guidelines stipulate that you should (Visit the agent’s website).
Publish Your Own Book for Free
Today there’s an avenue available that allows new and unknown authors to be published. It’s called “self-publishing.” Self-publishing today, however, doesn’t have the stigma it had in the past when it was viewed as the last resort of the desperate.
Given the ever-growing popularity of e-books, self-publishing has become a reputable and highly respected option for thousands of writers. What’s more, you no longer need the services of a so-called “vanity press,” since you can publish your own book and, even better, do it for free. Plus, in no time at all, your book will be available for download to Kindle, Nook, other electronic readers, and applications like iPads and Smartphones, etc.
And, if you would like your book in hard-copy, that alternative is available as well, although unless you can design the interior yourself (you do have that option), you’ll probably pay a design fee, with the amount depending upon whether or not your book contains illustrations or photos, as well as the individual service utilized since some e-book publishers charge more than others. .
Free Publishers of Kindle and other Electronic Books
When you’re ready to select a company to make your life’s story available to the reading public, you’ll have a good many choices, given the growing popularity of Kindle and other electronic book formats. Some of the more established and popular services currently include:
- Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing
- BookSurge.com (recently acquired by CreateSpace, a subsidiary of Amazon)
- Smashwords.com
- CreateSpace.com (hard-copies)
In addition to allowing authors to set the price for their books, online book-publishing services provide:
- Tools and directions for formatting books and designing covers
- Competitive royalties, with companies keeping only a percentage of earned income (average 30%) and the majority going to authors
- Acquisition of ISBN numbers
- Availability of books on other booksellers’ sites, for example, Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million.
- Ability to set the price for your book (the service keeps a set percentage)
In summary, if you’ve written your memoirs and are in the market for a publisher, don’t despair if you can’t locate a traditional publishing house willing to print and promote your life’s story. You do not have to resort to paying someone to handle your book. There are other avenues available, and these avenues allow you to call the shots and earn more money for your hard work.
Sources:
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, “Welcome to Kindle Direct Publishing,” retrieved August 29, 2008 from amazon.com
BookSurge, “Book Surge Is Becoming Create Space.” Retrieved August 30, 2011 from booksurge.com
Create Space, “Publish Your Words Your Way,” retrieved August 29, 2011 from createspace.com
Carol Rzadkiewicz - Carol Rzadkiewicz has taught college English for over 14 years and is the author of three published novels and numerous short stories.
