In these early years of my retirement, I just completed a life long dream: I wrote a novel. Over the years, I had many friends encourage me to do this.
I realize I need a literary agent to publish, and I have no idea how to find one. I have a friend who wrote a YA novel (I read it, I think it is good!) and self published. Her journey of this is one of such frustration that she gave up after the first book. She is not a person who is easily defeated, either, she's had many difficulties in life that she overcame. This discouraged me from taking this route.
As a retiree from a major publisher and someone who spent five years writing an unpublished novel, I would advise anyone who wants to write a novel not to count on getting it published. There are rare exceptions, but the opportunities are shrinking except for the field of romance novels (because that audience buys more books than others) And don't forget that agents are not invested in one book wonders; they need clients who will continue to be productive. Self-publishing is a decent option if you want that book on people's shelves. I don't regret the time I spent on my novel, because I explored a family story that had always troubled me, but I'm glad I had a side gig, because I needed it.
You might try joining the American Society of Journalists and Authors. I don't know if you can, unless you were a journalist, or at least have published a few articles, but it won't hurt to inquire, because they definitely help people get agents. They're in NYC. There are probably other groups of this sort.
I can't remember whether Stephen King's book, On Writing, would be helpful or not, but I very much enjoyed reading it. Actually, now that I think about it, he did talk about how he got started, so I think it might help.
The University of Iowa caters to people who want to write books, and there are probably certain profs who are more in tune than others with fiction. Perhaps a call to one of them out of the blue, after googling to see who looks more likely to cater to fiction might net you some valuable information.
Maybe someone among the encouraging friends might also have ideas about how to proceed. I certainly wish you success!
I also really liked 11/22/1963. I'm not into horror, but this book, the first of his books I read, well, I wanted to see how he handled the time travel, and I wanted a story where President Kennedy was saved. I got adventure, romance, and especially nostalgia, and a really good time. He did use horror in spots, but it was not the main dish, by any stretch.
I also read maybe 2/3 of one of his horror books before I quit.
And a ps to the reply below, my friend who self published? In the long run, I do believe she got taken. It cost her a LOT of money and she sold probably 50 books via Amazon. All to friends.
Thank you, David. I also read Stephen King's book. I have never published anything. (I don't consider some letters to the editors to magazines as being "published" but perhaps if my name was George Santos............ )
I have done some Googling and with internet sites, it's difficult to know who is genuine and what is just phishing.
I will consider your suggestions. My attempts so far have led to dead ends.
Mark I started a new career at 58-80 and it paid me a $$$ pittance, though tremendous personal satisfaction. As Joseph Campbell said: тАШfollow your bliss,тАЩ
Following my bliss is the trouble!! As an artist I followed my bliss all these years. I did ok and live well. I just never considered the world would do these tumblesaults, inflation would be so crippling and these cool new tech tools would come along! I am having fun!
After a career mostly in civil service clerical work, I went to the middle east and taught English for 5 years to children and adults. I'm sorry I never became a teacher here in the US because I had the time of my life. It turned out that I was actually good at it, and I loved it. Best of luck!
I just started a new career at age 68!
Maybe this career will pay me what I am worth? One can hope!
In these early years of my retirement, I just completed a life long dream: I wrote a novel. Over the years, I had many friends encourage me to do this.
I realize I need a literary agent to publish, and I have no idea how to find one. I have a friend who wrote a YA novel (I read it, I think it is good!) and self published. Her journey of this is one of such frustration that she gave up after the first book. She is not a person who is easily defeated, either, she's had many difficulties in life that she overcame. This discouraged me from taking this route.
Good luck to us both, Marj!
As a retiree from a major publisher and someone who spent five years writing an unpublished novel, I would advise anyone who wants to write a novel not to count on getting it published. There are rare exceptions, but the opportunities are shrinking except for the field of romance novels (because that audience buys more books than others) And don't forget that agents are not invested in one book wonders; they need clients who will continue to be productive. Self-publishing is a decent option if you want that book on people's shelves. I don't regret the time I spent on my novel, because I explored a family story that had always troubled me, but I'm glad I had a side gig, because I needed it.
My best friend wrote a novel, didn't get it published, and then went to grad school. (This was years ago.)
Self publish! Cheers!
You might try joining the American Society of Journalists and Authors. I don't know if you can, unless you were a journalist, or at least have published a few articles, but it won't hurt to inquire, because they definitely help people get agents. They're in NYC. There are probably other groups of this sort.
I can't remember whether Stephen King's book, On Writing, would be helpful or not, but I very much enjoyed reading it. Actually, now that I think about it, he did talk about how he got started, so I think it might help.
The University of Iowa caters to people who want to write books, and there are probably certain profs who are more in tune than others with fiction. Perhaps a call to one of them out of the blue, after googling to see who looks more likely to cater to fiction might net you some valuable information.
Maybe someone among the encouraging friends might also have ideas about how to proceed. I certainly wish you success!
I agree with you about Stephen King's book.
I also really liked 11/22/1963. I'm not into horror, but this book, the first of his books I read, well, I wanted to see how he handled the time travel, and I wanted a story where President Kennedy was saved. I got adventure, romance, and especially nostalgia, and a really good time. He did use horror in spots, but it was not the main dish, by any stretch.
I also read maybe 2/3 of one of his horror books before I quit.
And a ps to the reply below, my friend who self published? In the long run, I do believe she got taken. It cost her a LOT of money and she sold probably 50 books via Amazon. All to friends.
That's sad. I hope you do a lot better!
Thank you, David. I also read Stephen King's book. I have never published anything. (I don't consider some letters to the editors to magazines as being "published" but perhaps if my name was George Santos............ )
I have done some Googling and with internet sites, it's difficult to know who is genuine and what is just phishing.
I will consider your suggestions. My attempts so far have led to dead ends.
Ha ha ha! George Santos: Frequent contributor to the New Yorker. You made my day.
Mark I started a new career at 58-80 and it paid me a $$$ pittance, though tremendous personal satisfaction. As Joseph Campbell said: тАШfollow your bliss,тАЩ
Following my bliss is the trouble!! As an artist I followed my bliss all these years. I did ok and live well. I just never considered the world would do these tumblesaults, inflation would be so crippling and these cool new tech tools would come along! I am having fun!
Marj Joseph Campbell of тАШfollow your blissтАЩ also described life as тАШtroubleтАЩ:
тАЬWhen youтАЩre laughing
Keep on laughing
And the Whole world laughs with you
When youтАЩre cryingтАжтАЭ
Wishing you the best, Marj!
After a career mostly in civil service clerical work, I went to the middle east and taught English for 5 years to children and adults. I'm sorry I never became a teacher here in the US because I had the time of my life. It turned out that I was actually good at it, and I loved it. Best of luck!
Mary congrats! You found your bliss!
I started a new career at age 60! In France. Best years of my life.