Good afternoon all. I've been reading a number of posts about your inquires and notice some are professional writers. (ie. Editors, journalist, ect) So my question is simple, as the title asks, could someone like me who does not work in the writing field stand a chance of finding an agent and getting my book published?
yes - nearly every professional writer was an amateur first... its not easy but its possible theres also the self publishing option these days
True, however I am trying to avoid the whole "self publish" route. money, time, and not knowing what I'm doing stuff. Plus, I'm not very good at selling myself. (Too humble I guess)
My plan is to try to get an agent and a book deal first - if that doesn't succeed I shall self pub with create space and KDP (theres lots of info on this forum to learn what you are doing) End of the day failure is not an option
In the end it doesn't matter your 'day job' or writing history, it's the project that will sell itself. Yes, having experience in a certain field night garner a closer initial look, but the story is what an agent looks at, must believe in most. It's how the agent makes a living, earning roughly 15% of an author's advance/royalties, which come from the sale of the work to a publisher and subsequent purchases by readers.
Sure, if it's a good book. Agents/editors sign new authors all the time. You don't need to work in the field.
Yes, you just need to have a good story and good marketing (query letter, synopsis, etc...). If you're concerned about figuring out improving your writing I'd recommend writing groups. I find it keeps me motivated and it gives me a group to figure out how to sell myself with.
I got my first "break" when I was jobless, living with parents and not in any formal education. I had articles published online which impressed a magazine editor, which lead to me getting work experience at a car magazine. After finishing my work placement I got into writing freelance articles. Two years later I was employed by one of the biggest, and most successful publishing houses in the UK (Bauer Media). Turns out I didn't like being in a office, so I left. But it taught me you can make something from your merits alone. My point is your present situation doesn't have any bearing on what you can achieve in the future. Every day is a clean sheet, and you can write on it whatever you want. Don't let yourself, or other people try and tell you that it ain't true. Decide you're going to do it. Then actually go and do it.
For a previously-unpublished fiction author, the manuscript is all that matters. Day job, platform, social media - all irrelevant unless you're some kind of celebrity. Usual advice is to mention your day job if it's relevant to your manuscript or if, like me, you're a professional writer. But I honestly don't think it makes the slightest difference to whether you get an offer or not.
Great question, and one I myself ask every day too! I can't say I'm new to writing, but I'm definitely new to writing seriously with publishing my work in mind. At any rate, I'm enjoying the process and that's all that matters right now.
