如何出版一本書

 

原文出處：eHow：How to Publist a book

感覺上是學How Stuff Works的網站，有點粗糙，不過有提到一些出版的主題，之後陸續翻譯過來。

 

After months or years of researching, writing and editing a book, the hardest part is yet to come. Statistically, only about one of every hundred books written is accepted for publishing. Follow these steps below to maximize the chances of getting published.

 

經過了經年累月的找資料、寫好再編好了一本書，但是，最困難的部分現在才剛到。

從數據上來看，大概每一百本書之中，才能有一本是被接受可以出版的書。

跟著下列幾個步驟走，我們被出版的機率可以達到最大化。

 

步驟一

Learn about the business side of publishing. Read a lot of books about writing and publishing. Best-selling author Stephen King recommends Literary Market Place and Writer's Market to start. Publishing should be understood as a business as well as an art. Know what is marketable.

 

學習出版的商業面。

閱讀大量有關寫作與出版的書籍。暢銷書作者史蒂芬金建議首先要從文學市場與作家市場來看，出版要先了解出版是商業也是藝術，要知道市場在哪裡。

 

步驟二

Read the current best-seller list. This will give you knowledge on market trends and what is selling. Also stay updated with a monthly literary magazine like Boldtype magazine.

 

了解現在的暢銷排行榜會讓你知道市場脈動. 並藉著 閱讀文學月刊, 隨時了解當前文學趨勢

 

步驟三

Find the right publishers to whom to try to sell the idea. Research publishers to find which publish books similar in genre and style. Some publishers specialize in new authors; some specialize in publishing women or minorities.

 

試著把自己的好作品賣到好的出版社。研究各出版社的類型在種類與風格上是否合自己的作品一致。有些出版社專門出版新作家的書；有些則是專門出版女性作者或者是青少年文學。

 

步驟四

Get a literary agent. Finding a representative can be extremely hard, but a literary agent will find an editor and publisher for the writer. Find agents that represent certain genres and submit query letters before sending a manuscript. Look for an agent that specializes in new authors.

 

找到一個合適的文學經紀人是非常困難的，但是他可以幫你找到適合的編輯以及出版社。寄出手稿之前也可以先寫個信給專門處理這個類型作品的經紀人們。或者找個專門處理新作者的經紀人。

 

步驟五

Self-publish the book if your main literary objective is not making a huge profit. For example, this would be a good option for a genealogy book meant only for your family. This means that the author takes on full responsibility of packaging, marketing, promoting and selling the book.

 

如果你的文學創作的目標不是能夠賺大錢的東西，就自己出版吧！

舉例來說，你家族譜的讀者可能只有你家的人而已。這代表了作者必須負起包裝、行銷、宣傳以及販賣這本書的所有工作。

 

步驟六

Publish through a third-party vendor or small press. This is supported self-publishing offered by several companies. A price is paid for the services, which may include promoting and marketing education as well as the potential for placement in stores.

 

從第三方銷售員或者小出版社來出版。

這是一個使用幾個公司所提供付費服務的自行出版方式。付務內容可能包含了宣傳與行銷的教育訓練以及跟你說放在哪裡賣會比較好等等。

延伸閱讀：

商業與書