I’ve written a book, or 3, now what?

[Whatsthematterwiththebatinthecave]

I’ve written 3 books and now I’m thinking perhaps I should seek to get them published but where to start!

they’re all so different.

The first is a family adventure guide, non-fiction, filled with photos, anecdotes and “how-to”s

The second is a thriller based around a career driven mum at the centre of exposing a conspiracy

The third is a children’s book that I have co-wrote with my 10 year old son (and maybe I’m bias because of it but it’s my favourite out the three)

These all started as “for fun”. The first two were my way to unwind with a glass of wine. The third came about as my son saw me writing and he wanted to turn our on-going imaginary game into a story.

But now I’m thinking perhaps I should actually look to get at least one of these published! I would really appreciate some advice. I have a synopsis and covering letter (which I understand I should tailor for each agent). I also believe each of these books would be best sent to different agents too?

Should I seek out an editor first? I’ve had my friend’s book club analyse the thriller book and made some huge edits to that from the original book.

I believe you can self publish via Amazon.

I’ll take a look! Thank you

If you think they are of decent standard then there is no risk (except to your ego) of sending a tailored message to agents. It's worth researching to see which publishers/agents would be suitable for each book. Self publishing is always an option if nothing happens.

I'm just finishing my first book of a trilogy and the above is my plan. See if there is any interest. Even if I get some interest that goes nowhere that will be very validating and then I will happily go online to find a market. The real satisfaction is finishing the book for me.

Yes I agree, it feels wonderful to have just created something like this.

that’s a good idea to reach out to agents first before going the self-publishing route. Would you know if there is a central place to find agents or is that just Google?

Would you know if there is a central place to find agents or is that just Google?

The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook.

I don’t think going out with three books in very different genres is a good idea. Choose one and go with that.

Most agents specialise in particular genres or types of book, and if they're interested in the thriller, they won't want to hear about op's children's book, they'll be wanting to hear about her plans for writing more thrillers.

Thats amazing.

i would suggest getting a critical friend who is academic with a strong command of English (assuming they are in English) to read them over for you.

I’m sure you are a wonderful writer but you have made some errors in your post, so getting someone to check your writing can only be a positive thing. We all do it.

Should I seek out an editor first? I’ve had my friend’s book club analyse the thriller book and made some huge edits to that from the original book.

I know very little about publishing and I'm not trying to be critical, but there are grammatical mistakes in your posts which make me think it would be a very good idea to seek out an editor, especially if you were thinking of self-publishing.

An agent will probably only want one of those - if you’re going to write more, what genre would they be in?

I agree, but I'd also advise having a "disinterested" party read and advise first to pick up things like continuation errors etc. By disinterested, I mean not mum or friend who will tell you it's all wonderful - and they will even if you ask them to he honest.
You need someone who will be honest, preferably a few people, who will be brutally honest - people that will tell you that the character that comes in at the third chapter doesn't really work or that chapter six to eight are boring and don't advance the plot, even though you think that's your favourite part etc.

If anyone tells you that it's all wonderful and they can't think of any way of improving it, then they aren't looking at it deeply enough. It is vanishingly unlikely that you have written three books that couldn't be improved in any way.
You've obviously done that with the thriller. That's round one. Now you've made those edits, you need to find a different set of people to look at it.

Only after you've done that, think of paying an editor.

Focus on one of them and query agents representing that.

If you're going for the children's book don't tell agents it was co-written with your child, they'll stop reading before getting to the end of your sentence.

Seek out an editor first.

Use a voice reader to read the text to you. You will catch gramarical flow errors and lots of repeated words. I cannot tell you how much this has helped me recently! So much, so i am working through my existing work as fast as i can! Good luck. Amazon self publishing works, pushing your work is harder than writing it!

@verbsand Is it a big no-no/cliché to co-write with a child? We’ve got a poetry book written by a little boy at home and it’s very sweet. Just curious

Generally speaking, yes. Agents and editors are interested in books they can sell. How many books written by children do you think Waterstones stock? Parents are hardly neutral when it comes to the talents of their own children. If a child writes a great story, that's something to cherish and maybe present to the grandparents or rest of the family. For the general public, it would be a hard no.

Thank you everyone! Yes definitely need an editor as I’m dyslexic and ADHD so mistakes are almost guaranteed (no matter how many times I reread, I still miss them!)

the voice reader is a good idea, I shall take a look

with the children’s book, perhaps I’ll not mention it was co-written. See if there is any interest and if so, I’ll then mention it.