Hi everyone. I'm Dean, a new author and new member. I'd really like some feedback on my work, which you can see if you visit the web site to compliment the book at:

http://www.stonehengeobservatory.com

Although I've printed the book myself I'm struggling to find a literary agent or mainstream publisher to work with, possibly because there are so many unsubstantiated theories about Stonehenge floating around (some of them from respected archaeologists as well). If you can help I'd really appreciate it.

I'm also working on new material, which you can see at http://www.gizawavemachine.com.

If anyone is interested I do freelance 3D model work for illustrations and can weave these into web sites as well.

Thank you.

Hi, Dean, and welcome to WriteWords.

Although I've printed the book myself I'm struggling to find a literary agent or mainstream publisher to work with, possibly because there are so many unsubstantiated theories about Stonehenge floating around (some of them from respected archaeologists as well). If you can help I'd really appreciate it.

Firstly, if you intend to write a non-fiction book, the normal route to publication is to send publishers a book proposal and only write the book if any of them are interested in commissioning the work.
You don't need and agent for that.

Secondly, if you have already written the book, you could go with option one, above, or treat it like a novel and submit sample chapters and a synopsis to Agents to see if any are interested in representing you.

However, you have taken option 3 which is to self publish. Regardless of the subject matter, Agents and publishers are not interested in self-published books unless you can prove it has a market. And the only way to do that is to rack up sales in the thousands. (I'm sorry, but those are the realities of the publishing industry).

However, there is a niche market for books on Stonehenge, but it is up to you to do the legwork/marketting/publicity targetting this readership. Shops in places like Glastonbury would be a good place to start. Giving talks to groups, societies, etc. is something else to look into. Advertising in specialist magazines....etc. It won't turn you a profit, and should be treated more as an expensive hobby, but it will be fun.


- NaomiM

Thank you for the advice. I don't think I've "published" the book myself at present. All I've done is get some copies printed as samples - I haven't been through the formalities of obtaining an ISBN, placing copies with the authorities or putting it on Amazon, etc. Do you suggest I do that myself now or is option 2 still open to me and, if so, is there a channel you can recommend?

Your take on the process of publishing non-fiction suggests self-publishing is absolutely worthless - I hope so because that's the conclusion I came to after several months of discussion with one of them.

Without an ISBN, Yes, option 2 is still open to you. Most non-fiction is published without going via an agent, and so publishers do prefer option 1, even if you've already gone ahead and written it.
A book proposal includes a section on your target readership, so you will need to do a bit of homework on that. - You are basically acting as your own Agent and pitching the book direct to the publisher.
Publishers of non-fiction also like authors to have a 'platform', ie, what qualifies them to write that book, eg, if it was a book on birds, you might be head of the bird watching society in your local area and give regular lectures on the subject; If you were writing a teaching aid, you'd be a senior lecturer in the subject; etc - so you'll need to sell yourself, as well as your book.
It is best to target publishers who have published similar books to yours - most publishers have their speciality subjects, so pitching to those publishers who don't publish such books is a waste of time. You may find there are only a handful in your specialist subject, so concentrate on putting together a professional-looking book proposal.


As for self-publishing, while it is not suited to adult fiction, it does have a niche market for specialist non-fiction books - there are always readers out there, somewhere, interested in the subject, and, although it might not generate many sales over the years they can add up.
My Aunt is an ex-lecturer and an active member of her local bird watching society, and, together, they compiled several decades of data, wrote the text, commissioned photos, drew the illustrations, and self-published a learned tome on birds in the county of Oxfordshire, and the first print run of 200 copies was a sell out despite being priced at around £50 each...but it's a hobby, and shouldn't be undertaken for profit, nor as a step onto the traditional publishing ladder.



- NaomiM

<Added>

PS, on your website I would suggest spelling archillogical, as arch-illogical. And then it will look deliberate, and not a spelling mistake.

<Added>

I see you mention 'fully interactive 3D models' in the book details. Does that need a specialist printing process to achieve? If so, that could put off publishers as it'll make the book uneconomical to print.

Thank you! I will take that as good news and proceed as you suggest. I explain the reason for mispelling when the archillogical page opens. I've removed the reference to the 3D models on the book page. I was referring to the 3D models on the site, which are better reviewed in conjunction with the book, but realize that it does indeed suggest the 3D models are in the book. Now that would be some technological leap!