Okay, here's the story.
I'm wanting to try and publish my story, Home of the Heart, in a few more years, after I finish it and add more touch ups.
I have asked around on what to do and have gotten the ring around.
My husband and Mother-in-law say I will be paid to get it published yet people on the internet, 30 and 40 year old people, say they have to pay for it.
Can someone shed some light on the subject and possibly give me some guidelines on where to start?
Thank You,
Blackdawn_70631

Black Dawn,
If you look at what you wrote...

Quote:

I will be paid to get it published yet people on the internet, 30 and 40 year old people, say they have to pay for it.

You sort of answer your own question. You will be paid if you get it published, They will pay YOU for it.

I have a friend who was really set to get a story she wrote published, it was a vampiric bodess ripper type story, not very well written, but she was sure it would do well. It came from her own desires and dreams.
She spent a large chunk of money sending it to a proffessional Editor/proof reader. She would pretty much have to do a complete re-write of it, and found it would then be not the same story. She also had sent it the outline and first few chapters to publishing houses and got nice rejection notices.. telling her to send it to an Editor.

So you will have to put up some money to have it proffessionaly proof read and edited, do some rewrites of it, and make sure you have all copies, working titles, working copies and the like Copy writed!!!.
There is a cheap way, but not full proof way to do a copywrite,
Make copies of all your work..... Send the originals to yourself, Registered and insured mail. Sign for them BUT do not open them. NO MATTER what!!.
It is called a poor mans copy write, the post marked date proves you had the material and since its original. If the same publishing house puts out a book or product that gave you a rejection letter then uses material that is too similiar or is the same from your book or characters You can sue them for copywrite infringement.
I have another friend who had a role playing game that came out in the late 70's early 80's : In antartica a group of japanese scientists discover a ring shaped gate that will transport people to other worlds. The description of the area around the gate is a long sloping platform up to a gate that is spinning and will take you to other worlds accross the universe.

Sound too familiar.. Star Gate the movie and T.V. show.
The game has the UN take charge of it, not the US government, and only 1 in 100,000 are able to penitrate the barrier to paths that lead to other worlds. The game is called Fringeworthy.
The creator had a lawsuit against the movie makers and the t.v. production.. but one lonely game creator VS multi million dollar lawyers .

So you can get it published, it will cost you some money, for copies of the first couple of chapters, an outline, and getting it edited, looked at, edited agian and then getting a final work, then you get to send it to dozens of publishers and then you wait.
You can see about electronic publishing, book on tape or internet publishing. Stephen king did that for one book.
I was at a party in Berkeley once where one of the first electronically published books was done. I met Paul Zimmer ( a historical/fantasy writer who does a lot of Vikking type books), Diane Paxton another fantasy writer who does stuff with Celtic/Authorian times. It was her son who had published his book electronically. The party was held at her home "Gray Haven" also the title of a book by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Paul ZImmer. The house is a crossroads for time/space/fantasy .. full of short stories.. great book.
I also later met Marion's daughter. SHe is a proffessional Harp player.

So you have some options. it will cost some money, but if you stick to it.. you can do it.
I hope this helps.
Da'Yeyinde

can i have some advice??

okay well what colour bra would u wear under a white shirt if u have a choice between black and blue? as in light with white stitching and white frilly... well?

Black. ^_^

Kaht'ay that is totally inappropriate for this forum.