I have written a small book which would fall under the category of
"humor." I have 3 jobs and don't have time to research how and where
to get it published on a VERY RESTRICTED BUDGET.  I have never written
anything before - this is a first.  Please find for me, if you will,
the fastest, cheapest, cut-to-the-chase way of getting a fledgling
(sp?) book published!  :)  Thanks

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Request for Question Clarification by leapinglizard-ga on 30 Nov 2004 22:52 PST

Are you willing to pay for printing and marketing costs, or do you
expect to get a conventional deal in which the publishers make the
financial commitment and do the heavy lifting?

leapinglizard

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Clarification of Question by patrice1-ga on 30 Nov 2004 23:27 PST

My budget is very low -= My husband just died and I have a mountain of
debt. I was hoping that, if the book "went over" I could use the money
to pay off some of my obligations.  So, I guess - the latter - what
you said about the "heavy lifting."  :( Patrice

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Clarification of Question by patrice1-ga on 01 Dec 2004 09:03 PST

OKay...... So how do I get an agent? (A cheap one.)

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Request for Question Clarification by kriswrite-ga on 01 Dec 2004 09:49 PST

In the U.S., it's very difficult for a first time writer to get an
agent. However, if you don't have an agent, you have to do all the leg
work yourself. This isn't very expensive, but it does require a lot of
time. Would you be interested in learning how to do this? I could also
include some basic information about approaching agents.

In addition, it might be helpful to know what kind of humor your book
is. It is a humorous novel? Humorous non-fiction? Short stories?
Jokes?

Thanks,
Kriswrite

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Clarification of Question by patrice1-ga on 03 Dec 2004 21:53 PST

In response to the question about what kind of humor - It's just
simple, funny stuff that my incredible kids came up with.  I had some
of the "scenarios" drawn up into cartoons and wrote up the stories as
they really happened.  I have a few photographs.  I just want to have
it printed as a small, possibly spiral-bound, paperback thingie that
will fit into a purse or backpack and can be pulled out when people
get stuck in the bank line, maybe at red lights, etc. The stories only
take a couple of minutes to read.  I think life is far too serious and
would like to provide a few good, clean laughs.  Cheap entertainment. 
It's just that I don't have much time or money to work with..... I
guess this book is perfect for my own lifestyle!  :)

The cheapest way is to get an agent interested and then for him/her to
wrap up a deal with a mainline publisher - but this is difficult.

Publishers are inundated with manuscripts every day and many
now-successful authors got lots of rejection slips before striking
gold.

Publishing it yourself (vanity publishing) will cost you money that
you can probably ill afford. BEWARE of publishers who advertise for
manuscripts!

Sorry, but there's really no quick or easy solution for you to pay off
your 'mountain of debt'.

However ... where there's a will ... 

I wish you all the best and hope that you succeed in spite of my negative comment.

Bryan

well.. gerard here.
i think this site might help solve your problem.
http://www.lulu.com/

i think you can publish your book for free there. however, there are some cons.
read thru the site for more information


Truely,
Gerard

Cafepress.com works in a similar way, but you must be able to give
your book to them in the format they desire, which may take some doing
if you're not very familiar with creating digital documents.

Kriswrite

In addition, even "freebies" like lulu and cafepress require that the
author do the leg work for marketing their book. Which is fine, if
you're able and willing to undertake this big job.

Kriswrite

I can recommend Bookpublisher.com at http://www.bookpublisher.com.
They have a payment plan (50% down) if that helps.