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.

A young man's fancy

Dear Author Enablers,

I am 14 years old and I've wanted to be a writer since I was seven. I know I am probably not going to get published soon, and that I should write something before I try to get published. Since I have no idea how someone would actually go about getting published, I was hoping you could fill me in on the basic idea. How do publishers look for writers and vice versa? I want to know anything that will help, because I know how hard it is to appeal to a publisher, and I need to be ready if I want to succeed as an author.

David Charland
Southwick, Massachusetts

Congratulations on your laudable goal! This is much cooler than wanting to do something ordinary, like dentistry or lion taming.

Publishers don't usually have to look for writers because writers and their agents are in hot pursuit of publishers. Here, in a nutshell, is a summary of the Author Enablers' brilliant (if we say so ourselves) Publishing 101 workshop, which we have presented to throngs the world over, as long as "the world" is defined as California, Miami and Mexico, and throngs are defined as writer's conference attendees.

First you've got to have an idea; then stay focused and get it written and rewritten. A good idea presented in a well-written manuscript is rarer than you think. For fiction, the manuscript must be complete before you begin looking for a publisher. Next, you need to write a proposal. There are some wonderful books that outline how to do this, so we'll direct you to your local bookstore or library. Now it's time to find an agent—Literary Market Place is an excellent resource. Next, you sit around biting your nails while your agent sends the proposal to publishers; an acquisitions editor and some other key players need to believe in you and your project. When it is sold, you will sign a contract and be given a schedule—yikes, more rewriting. At this point you may start feeling like the publishing company is taking over your book; that's because they are. Someone in the art department will design a cover, and you'll be asked to provide an author photo and help get endorsements from other writers. Your editor will suggest changes and may even revise the title! You may not agree with every revision, but it's in your publisher's interest to make your book a success. Meanwhile, the sales, marketing and publicity teams will start selling your book to the bookstores and you to the media; the idea is to get your book into the hands of readers. You may or may not go on a tour, appear on radio, etc., but you can help your publicist by sharing any media contacts in your Rolodex. Most books are published first in hardcover, then a year or so later in paperback—right around the time you start getting really tired of talking about the book and are well into writing your next one. Write on, David! Keep us posted and best of luck!

Dear Author Enablers,

Do authors interviewed on TV shows receive payment for being interviewed? Or, are they so happy to be on the show that it doesn't matter?

P. Emile Carr
Palm Coast, Florida

Most authors who are interviewed on television do not receive payment. They are happy to get publicity to boost book sales. Exceptions must be made for those in professional guilds such as the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists (AFTRA) and other organizations that negotiate union-scale payment for their members. Most authors are not members of these guilds, however.

Dear Author Enablers,

I am a retired teacher trying my hand at writing—not as easy as it looks. I was writing about a public figure and copied a page from the encyclopedia, but only with the intent of using the information. I found the exact same encyclopedia-page wording in a published book by an established author. Is something copied verbatim out of an encyclopedia considered plagiarism?

Lucy Ringold
Des Moines, Iowa

Yes.

Thanks for writing,
THE AUTHOR ENABLERS