Trying To Get My Book Published, Would You Be My Agent?

[Knowledge_Seeker]

I am currently in the process of trying to publish a book. But I have already faced with an obstacle. Should I say that I am simpily a Student or should I say that I am A Fourteen Year Old Student?

Put yourself in the shoes of an agent. Would you agree to help publish a book that seems invoative, or unique, or would the idea of a fourteen year old writing it change your opinions?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that is the idea of a fourteen year old publishing a book something that would get readers to buy, or is it something way ahead of my age? (Which is not)

[paulie jay]

It's the content of a book that will ultimately decide whether it is published or not. The "novelty value" of publishing a book by a fourteen year old would not be enough to secure publication on it's own.

If the ideas in the book were well thought out, supported and sourced (if necessary), your age would not need to be a factor. :)

[Knowledge_Seeker]

so you are saying that i should just go ahead and say im 14? or just say im a student?

[paulie jay]

Why mention it at all? Let the book stand on it's merits, I say.

[randb]

Maybe you should tell us a little more about the book. Is it something to do with astronomy/astrophysics? If it has technical stuff in it, the author would have to show that he/she has a thorough understanding of the subject, and has researched the topic well. You can't just write something without proof, and you can't copy some other person's work, even if it isnt copywritten.

[randb]

but wow....thats amazing..writing a book at that age!!!! truly awesome.

[Enzp]

Publishers publish books because they think they can sell them. That's all. Unless you go to the vanity press or self- publish. Perhaps those are the same thing.

Your age only matters if it matters. In other words tax tips or a marriage guide from 14 year old would be pointless in my view. But the story of making some youthful accomplishment or overcoming an age related obstacle is another thing. Earning a MAsters degree by age 14 would be a good story. Youngest person to ever do something - climb a mountain, solo a jet fighter, etc. And something like a teen's perspective on teen celebrities might be more interesting to other teens than my views on them would. In those cases age is an interesting vsriable for better or worse.

A cookbook, or a collection of NASCAR stories, or databases for dummies would make your age irrelevant.

If you are 14, it goes without saying that you are a student. What else would you be? Yeah, yeah, what else would you be if you can write a book?

Same thing with height, weight, gender, and any other parameter. Unless it is significant - my life as a 7 foot tall grade school freak, or my story as the first female hocket goalie - it doesn't matter, and no one cares.

Good luck, I hope you get where you want to go, keep us posted. I am working on a book myself, though no one here will want to read it. (A sort of Zen guide to professional audio systems) I am a bit older than 14 though.

[Lianachan]

A girl in Scotland recently had a book published. I can't remember the exact details, her name or the book's title - it was something about coping with your parents divorce or something like that. I think she was around 11.

So, like everybody's been saying - age doesn't really come into it. A book will be published, or not, on its own merits.

[Knowledge_Seeker]

The only reason i was asking about whether to include my age was because in my proposal i have to explain a little about myself in the introductary paragraph. but i think that i will just exclude my age.

the title of the book is,[Removed]

you could say it is a 'recorded' jouranl from the big bang, to the "end of the world". but this book is unique because it sets out to question and answer, "What next?"

if you want more deatil, feel free to email me at [email removed to prevent spam] :)

[Andromeda321]

A member spacecadet who used to hang out on BABB mainly published a book at age 16 if I recall correctly. Can't remember the name of it though.

[jkmccrann]

So is it something of a philosophical journey of discovery? In any case, sounds interesting, and I don't know if age would be particularly relevant or helpful in trying to get this book published.

All the best :)

[Knowledge_Seeker]

thank you