BY KATHI KAMEN GOLDMARK AND SAM BARRY

The Author Enablers are here to answer your questions about writing and publishing. Together, Kathi and Sam have more than 25 years of experience in book publishing. Kathi is an author, radio producer and former publicist; Sam is a marketing manager at a major publishing company and a freelance editor. They are also proud members of the Rock Bottom Remainders, the all-author rock band founded by Kathi in 1992.

Taking the plunge

Dear Author Enablers,

I've loved reading since I was a child and have always wanted to write a book of my own. How do I get my feet wet? Do I just start writing and hope for the best? What advice would you give an aspiring author about where to start?

Stan Lubas
Columbiaville, Michigan

It's great that you love to read, because being a good reader is essential to good writing. If you haven't done so already, consider joining a book club or see what your local school offers in the way of affordable literature classes.

"Thanks for nothing, Author Enablers," we can hear you thinking. "Now tell me something I don't know." OK, Stan, if you're going to be that way, here goes: Journal writing is one way to get past the initial fear of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). Try writing a short piece every day. Don't be afraid to use your imagination and go wild; the beautiful thing about writing is that no one has to see your work before you're ready. As for technique, there is no one "right" way to start. Some writers need to outline the whole book before beginning. Others jump in and allow themselves to be surprised as the story unfolds. You'll figure out what works for you as you gain experience and confidence.

You might volunteer to write for a publication in need, like your neighborhood weekly, your church or temple's newsletter or a small literary journal. When you feel you're ready to be critiqued, join a writer's group or take a creative writing course. Don't forget to dedicate your first book "to Sam and Kathi."

Dear Author Enablers,

I have a problem. Like many people in America, I have written a book. Unfortunately, I live in a small town in Ohio. Do I know anyone to tell my wonderful news? No. Can I send it to someone/anyone willing to read it? No. I do not know what the next step is. I have allowed one friend to read it and she says it's a wonderful book. Is she biased? Probably not. I believe I've written a great mystery. My question is, now what? Who do I call? Who do I send it to? What are the first, second and last steps to getting it published?

Laura Walkup
Ohio

First of all, it's never a problem to have written a book. The correspondent above, for example, would love to have your problem. We don't agree that it's necessarily unfortunate to live in a small town in Ohio. And sorry, but we think your friend probably is biased.

But seriously, we recommend that you join a writers group and show your work to a few other writers. If you can't find a local group, ask your librarian, or start one of your own. There's this thing called the Internet where you can find online listings for free writers groups, and—no doubt—others in the same boat. When you're ready, check out Literary Marketplace for the names and addresses of literary agents who handle mystery writers. Then start sending out those query letters.

Dear Author Enablers,

What are the legal issues involved with writing a book that includes input from many different sources, like they do in those Hundreds of Heads Survival Guides? Would I need to get written permission from each person? Are there any particular ways of going about soliciting input from masses of people?

Leslie Pelecovich
Stamford, Connecticut

We directed your question to Maureen Watts at Hundreds of Heads Books in Vancouver, which publishes a series of survival guides for getting through life's challenges (college, dating, marriage, raising a teenager, moving, etc.). Here's what Maureen had to say: "We interview people across the country to collect the best tips and advice on a variety of subjects. We have all our contributors sign a waiver (or complete it online) and indicate how they wish to be identified in the book."

One method to attract contributors is to take out an ad asking for people's input. Another is to set up a website or blog. And of course you can do some combination of the two. Once you figure out how to easily solicit information from masses of people, we suggest that you go into business as a consultant.

Thanks for writing,
THE AUTHOR ENABLERS