Book Publishing in Germany and England

[CrysaniaMajere]

Oh my, I know what you mean, it is the same here, both in films and books, but of course books have the worst of it, and especially fantasy books. Sometimes the translator just decide to change something and that makes me furious. When I was little, one of my first fantasy books, had that problem. Half way through something was so absurd! and I blamed it on the writer, not knowing any better!

[raisindot]

We have a lot of SF&F publishers in germany, though they seem to just care for that the story can be sorted in these genres, not how the quality is.
Well, before I do anything I should really finish one or two more stories.

Are you trying to get a book published or a short story? The processes are completely different. You can submit a short story anywhere (well, outside of Germany probably), and they'll either accept it or (more likely) reject it on its own merits. You can even submit it to multiple publications at the same time (some pubs ask you not to do this, but you don't have to tell them you're doing it). Given that it often takes month to get a response, there's no reason you have to use a one-by-one policy.

As Jan has said, book publishing is a completely different animal, and she is absolutely right that agent route is the best way to go. The problem is is that (at least in the U.S.) agents are flooded with unsolicited manuscripts, and unless you've got a killer query letter and your idea grabs them by the lapels and doesn't let go, chances are not high that an agent will take you on.

Still, if you think your work is good enough for publication, and you're willing to take a lot of rejections, go that route. However, you may be putting yourself at a disadvantage if you rely on a translated version of your book, mainly because it's quite likely that the translation will preserve very little of your personal style, and, depending on the quality of the translation, the English may be so clunky that it turns an agent or publisher off.

So, before you spend the money on translation, I'd recommend you have friends, relatives, and coworkers read your book in the original language, and ask them to provide both positive and negative feedback. If they don't like the book, chances are no publisher will.

However, this is all a moot point is you decide to self-publish, since then the marketplace will determine if it's a success or not.

[LilMaibe]

Right now what I am trying is rather a mess of short stories and full-lenght novels. I also really worry that people will say I am ripping off Discworld as I am greatly influenced by Sir Terry and his style.

[raisindot]

Right now what I am trying is rather a mess of short stories and full-lenght novels. I also really worry that people will say I am ripping off Discworld as I am greatly influenced by Sir Terry and his style.

Well, the only way you'll know what people will think is by having others look at them first. If they think you're ripping off DW, then chances are a publisher might think the same thing.

Then again, I can imagine that when Pterry first published The Colour of Magic, some critics might have said that he was 'ripping off' Douglas Adams' style and simply applying it to the fantasy genre. Forty novels and millions of books sales later, Pterry evolved to become a completely different (and far better and more insightful) writer than Adams ever was.

[deldaisy]

Then it must be a universal law. I can't help you. You probably need some one like Jan or someone who has had a book published. They'll know.

Jan had a book published? I never knew that! She's a dark horse that one! What is it?

[Jan Van Quirm]

I wish! That statement needs punch-oooo-ation

like Jan... OR, someone who has had a book published

I do know someone who's had a book published and she's still selling remainders of the last and only printing from 20 years ago. She's looking to publish some other stories from the same series with me and others who write on DreamWorlds in this anthology project we're working on in the other place - later in the year

Afterthough edit: On the subject of when parody becomes plagiarism - it's all in how much you twist the tale of the original and make the 'homage' different enough.

Parody - Bored of the Rings. Takes LotR and twists until it hurts and Tom Bombadil and Goldberry become Tim Benzedrine and Hashberry and Eowyn become Eorache a Nazi pig-riding berserker...

Plagiarism - Prisoner of Zenda. The 1952 film version simply adds colour to the equation of the 1937 original talkie in which the same screenplay and sound track are used and aren't a patch on the first outing despite a bigger budget and (on paper) better casting. Who'd have though Douglas Fairbanks Jr. could have out-charismaed James Mason?

[deldaisy]

Sign me up for a copy.

I will take collections of stories over a novel most times. I used to collect them. Love them. Its like a tasting plate in a restaurant.

[LilMaibe]

I'm currently rewriting one of my WIP-Fanfictions to become a fully original story... That is so going to get wrong

[raptornx01]

pfft, plenty of authors started in fanfiction.

There's a group of women in Japan who started off by doing Doujins, fanmade comics (often dirty), they became so popular they are now one the most popular and well known creators of manga and anime in the country (if not the world). They go under the name CLAMP.

Steve Alten (Meg) wrote up an article on his site talking about his experiences on getting published as a way to teach new authors about the process. http://www.stevealten.com/writingtips.htm

[Jan Van Quirm]

that's a great link raptorn and echoes my own excursions into 'how to get published'. I'm hoping to mostly circumvent the 'hand over some dosh to get this edited properly' phase by getting reviews and using a competent friend who's great at editing (she's the lady who's already published) and doesn't mind doing it for free if I do the same for her via the DreamWorlds forum and other mates on here who've been reading the first draft of my book as I go. This way I'm progressing slowly but the actual story is getting honed via the feedback I get as I go and I can see how I'm improving on the 'pace and pull' factors as I write it so although some of the deeply felt and emotive writing of the early chapters were my initial benchmark I'm actually finding new avenues of plotting and dramatisation as I go along and some of the later chapters I've written in the last year I simply couldn't have done as well without the commentary and constructive crit I've had on the way since I started posting a chapter at a time in 2009

This all began through my meeting people on roleplay/fanfic forums which are great places to find friends because they share similar tastes and who you can judge for yourself are great to read (whether or not they're published) because that's why you like 'em! There's a wealth of experience and empathy out there if you want to grab it. I have three v.g. friends made in the last 7 years who I met on the same forum and have partnered my own fantasy RP writing and had an absolute ball with them and creating 2 more forums culminating in DreamWorlds which though v. small makes up for in talent and support in that we're changing focus this year (whilst keeping the forum which we all love going) to go on this self-publishing adventure together with the anthology as a way of raising awareness and income for the site (with luck at least) and also to get our own toes in the water for our personal projects as very often publishing houses and agents DO want to know you if you're already published and making a name for yourself in some small way, not because they're worried about copyright infringements, but because they want to see if there's a possible market for your writing if you can give them an original story to handle that isn't under contract.

What getting published is all about is having something sellable and the most important elements to attain that is in establishing that you have a lean, mean punchy product and some indication of how it will be received by the market it's aimed at. Like Steve Alten, you may need to invest in the project at some stage - there's really no such thing as a free lunch, but there are ways to help the process along that don't necessarily mean beggaring yourself and, as we've been saying, self-publishing has never been easier or more reputable. Trying to stay focussed and optimistic in the face of rejection is key to this, so you take the route you need and you take every scrap of help open or offered to you on the way.

[raptornx01]

Yeah, he got lucky in alot of ways. he took a risk, and practically did beggar himself to get his story out there. but managed to find the right agent, and ended up with a product that was popular. It makes you wonder how many authors made the same sacrifice, but weren't so lucky.

He wrote that many years ago, and i would have liked it if he had continued updating it. Not to long after, after his first two meg books had been published and gained a level of popularity, he had a falling out with the publisher he mentioned. lots of behind the scenes drama, and ended up finding a new publisher for the rest of his books. the one interesting thing was he had enough clout then that he was actually able to take the books with him, he managed to get the rights. So later, he republished the first book under the new label and was able to create a "remastered" version if you will. Thats why if you look there are two versions of the book. the newer one he got the chance to use the experience he had gained since then to tweak and refine and ended up with an even better and tighter story.

I had wanted to write a book since i was a teenager. my problem though was on the creative side of things (and being able to get motivated). i could never get far enough in to get to the editing stage. its something that plagued all my writing, even fanfiction. usually what would happen is i would have a story planned out in my head (i usually spent a good deal of time with this so it was right in my head before proceeding), sometimes even getting it far enough to actually write things down, but then would see or read something similar to (or even the same as) what i was thinking. it was always discouraging since even when doing FF i wanted to do something new or original. Lol i even saw that in an old FF short i had to write in 5th grade. years later i ended up seeing bits of that in another work. I do have one thats been knocking around in my head for awhile from a character i had thought up when i was 14 but never did anything with, but even with that i've read about (even quite recently, a la that last few weeks) a few similar elements in another story. but i may just push ahead anyway.

One thing that gave me hope, and made me feel better about it all was seeing an old interview with Steven Spielberg. In it he talked about the same thing. he would have an idea in his head, but before he could bring his idea to fruition he would find out someone was already doing it. Its one reason why i think TP hit the nail on the head when he talked about raw inspiration sailing through the universe, he just never went the extra step to talk about what happens when it hits more then one head at the same time

[LilMaibe]

Okay, I checked the laws and regulations and apparently everything up to 1000 words seems fine to be posted. Want to see something?

[Jan Van Quirm]

Do it to us Meebs!

[LilMaibe]

I posted something similar before, but this is the final version of the first two paragraphs of the first story. Don't mind if the english is off, it is but a quick translation:

In the beginning, there was nothing. But what's even more important is that before that there was nothing too. And if Nothing wouldn't have gotten bored it wouldn't have went to create anything. But it did and then there was darkness.
Though that isn't where our story begins. Unless you want to be picky and say that is when all stories began in the long run.
But this specific story begins, well, with darkness too.
Not that much of an important darkness, but a significant lack of light in any case.

They were planning. In fact they weren’t just planning, they were plotting. After all, there weren’t many things a group of people could do in the dark room.
“We shall take care of your little problem”, a rather highpitched male voice said, “And you’ll take care of ours.”
“I am still not all too pleased with the possible inconveniences”, a female voice, dripping with arrogance, answered.
“You mentioned that often enough, Madam”, a second, much more sonorous male voice interrupter, its speaker was obviously trying very hard not to let his distaste become obvious. “And our answer remains the same. If your people carry out their part as intended, you shouldn’t worry about such inanities.”
“And even if”, the first man spoke up again, “As I have been mentioning before, it would be in our joint interest in the long run.”
“Good. Gentlemen, I hope for you your plan will prove successful. Don’t disappoint us.”
Something was moved over the floor for a short moment, fabric rustled and high-heeled shoes clacked on wood.
A door was opened and closed again and then there was a moment of silence.
Till a leather armchair creaked and the second man frowned deeply.
“I hate elves.”
“She’s a necessary evil, would we want to finally succeed in a long necessary change. But see it like this: She likely hates us just as much.”

[Jan Van Quirm]

Translation aspects aside (and stylistic influences too) you've set up the atmospherics well and the general tone gets your attention on the 'what's happening here?' front. You've established antagonism quickly without actually telling us much about what the plotters are up to and had a good shot at characterisation through the sound of the voices. I'd want to read more is the bottom line, but with reservations if this was a serious submission because it's in no way slick enough.

From an editorial/reviewer perspective (is this what you want?) it needs work to get the language tightened up and de-cliched to some extent, but that does go to having an adequate translation as well. There's also the fact that we know you admire Terry because stylistically it's very similar - an editor who doesn't know you wouldn't necessarily be making those conclusions, so it's not so much of an issue but something to be aware of if you're striving to get away from a fanfic label, even though it's really only the elves comment that confirms it.