Help finding Publisher

Why not consider publishing on the internet? I found I had some interesting material about my father’s wartime service but it would not be enough to interest a publisher and I found vanity publishers not much use. With internet publishing, I found that I could add photos and text as I unearthed more information, your readership is limitless and the most you will pay is a few quid for your own domain name if you really want one. I found a friendly teenager who told me how to set up a site. A side benefit is that anyone interested in your subject can contact you and send you additional material. I now believe that I have been in contact every living member of 137 Squadron RAF and that has been very satisfying. Only drawback is that sites need a bit of time to maintain and I have been neglecting mine lately due to domestic upheaval.

I just whant to say well done on getting it published.

Well done.

It’s ‘Pen and Sword’ (not Swords)

Details for those interested in a copy seem to be:

From Dogfight to Diplomacy. A Spitfire Pilot’s Log 1932-1958.
Author Air Cdre Donald MacDonell CB DFC RAF, 22nd Chief of Glengarry.
Details Pen & Sword Publishers. Release Date 20 Oct 05.
ISBN 1844153207

Hope no-one minds me opening this up again, but the book I was enquiring about a publisher for is now available, so thanks again for those who gave suggestions.

It’s been published by Pen and Swords (and available from them) and is the memoirs of Donald MacDonnell, CO of 64 Sqn at the start of the BoB. He ended the war in a PoW camp (Stalag Luft III, where he helped in the Wooden Horse escape) where he was hedld for over 4 years. He then went on to serve as Air Attache in Moscow during the Cold War.

The book is his memoirs from 1932 – 58 telling much of the story of his RAF service and is titled “From Dogfight to Diplomacy”.

Thanks or those that passed on any advice (anymore more suggestions welcome!)

I’ll pass it on.

Hi,

I can’t really give you advice on how to get published. I just thought you might like to know how I was able to get my first book published.

I had been researching the Gloster Gladiator for over 15 years with the thought of getting it published, but I did not have a clue on how to go about it.

I have a website devoted to the Gladiator and about 4 year ago I was approached by a Spanish publisher who, having visited my website, asked me if I would be willing to write a book on the Gladiator. I was a bit dubious at first but eventually sent them the text. So far nothing has been published but I have been told it will not be long. They are currently preparing two volumes on the Hawker Fury then they will get round to mine.

At about the same time I submitted an article on Irish Gladiators to a modelling magazine, the one which JDK is associated with. I noticed they had just started to write books as well. Taking the bull by the horns I asked them if they would be interested in publishing a book on the Gladiator. To cut a long story short, well shortish, they agreed and in May 2002 my book was published, and amazingly it was their best seller for 2002, much to my delight.

Since then they have agreed to publish another couple of my books plus the one I am working on just now. They have also asked me to write a book on a subject of their choosing, to which I have agreed. Having a book published also helps with future reaserch projects as people are more inclined to help.

If my book had been a flop would they have agreed to publish anything else? I don’t know. The publishers themselves have a good idea on what will sell and what won’t. I think I was lucky becuase at that time there were no books on the Gladiator available. Interest in the Gladiator had been generated by the proposed release of the Roden Gladiator kits and as such when my book was released it was an instant hit.

All I can say good luck on your venture and don’t give up.

Alex

Pue Freeding.
Ya gets wat ya pais fur. 😀

Prerequisites for JDK…

….because, as we all know, there’s no money in publishing! 😀 :p

…a good ‘prufe reader’.

apologies for ‘in joke’. 🙂

Mark

Hi Euan.

Among other sins I’m a publisher. Not, I hasten to add of biographies. Some advice 😀

0. Why would someone hand over 15 quid for a hardback version of this book? If you can’t think of a good reason guarenteeing lots of sales, quit here.

1. Get a copy of ‘Writers & Artist’s Yearbook 2004’ either buy or your local library has a copy in the reference section.

2. Read relivent bits & inwardly digest

3. Look at similar style books, and see who publishes them. Talk to those publishers. (John’s examle is a good one)

4. Unless your friend has writing experience it’ll almost certainly be unpublishable (unsaleable) in it’s current form, and will need major editing / a rewrite. Factor that into the thoughts.

5. DON’T go with a vanity publisher (see W&AYB)

6. IF you decide on the self publishing route (suck of teeth noise – good way of losing lots of money) talk to some who’ve dun it – Kev35 is in the process here…

7. Good luck, you are going to need it!

Cheers

Try this

http://www.woodfieldpublishing.com/

They specialise in aviation/RAF themes including one a friend of mine had published 6 years ago

or get in touch with Dave Berry at

http://www.keyhambooks.freeserve.co.uk/