The Book:
It was like giving birth, only more excruciatingly painful than any ten pound infant could have possibly been. Instead of the nine months it took to deliver my child, the book took three years and at least ten re-writes. Even after all that time, I still find punctuation errors and awkward words that don't seem to fit with the point I'd tried to make. I thought it would never be released from me, but when it finally appeared, I must admit, I shed a few tears.
I wrote a book! It's my creation! Still, I find myself clueless as to what to do with it, so here it sits. In case you are wondering, I've already thought of this:
Write an amazing query letter and send it to at least one thousand book agents. I did, and so far I've received zero replies. The problem with that idea is that most agents won't read beyond the query, unless you've already been published. My question is this: How does one get published if no one will publish someone who hasn't been published?
Self Publish? Yes, that's something I've considered too. The problem is that it can be very expensive, and that's if you can find a respectable self publishing company among millions. Besides, you don't have the benefit of an editor, which brings me to the next problem with self publishing. Who is going to proof read for you? Your mother? That's fine and good, but I'm not sure that anyone's mother can see the errors like a total stranger can and always does.
I could put my book in a box and in the back of my closet. The problem with that idea, which I haven't rejected yet, is that if I do, who is going to read it?
The Message:
My book, like yours I'm sure, is filled with wisdom. It is! The message I have to give is one no one else can give. I don't mean to sound presumptuous, but the fact remains that no one else on this entire earth is me. This is exactly why your book should be received, like mine should be. What you and I have to say is uniquely expressed and no one else will ever see how wise we can be, unless we find a way to publish it!
The Solution:
I found a few sites on the internet designed for this very thing. One of them is called, “Writer's Café.” Everyone in the place is a writer like me, who believes our carefully thought out thoughts, documented in print, are words that people should see and read.
It's amazing! I might post one chapter of my book and get a review immediately. Someone I've never met will actually proof read for me, and more importantly, it's all free!
The Conclusion:
Although I'd still appreciate an agent to represent my newly born creation, I'll have to admit that writer's café has been the best way I've found to publish my writing up to now. There are no, “rejections” there and your readers will be from everywhere under the sun.
No, you won't get paid, but if you're a first time author, who wants recognition for what you've created, I can think of no better way than writer's café. By the way... in case you are a book agent, you'll find me there every day.
