Hi all

My manuscript has been selected for a National Publishing Inititative (Singapore's). It's a cross between a children's picture book and an adult's read - like Shel Silverstein's.

Ideally I would love the book to have a market base beyond Singapore's shores, but I have onlt till Sept to publish the book.

Realistically speaking should I self-publish or can I still find and agent or publisher in time?

If the answer to the latter is yes, would it be more efficient to get an agent or publisher direct? Any leads on which agents or presses?

If answer is no, can anyone advise me on options of offshore printing (seeing that almost all books are now printed in China), shipping and warehousing, as well as distribution methods and channels in the States and UK?

I mean, if I printed the book in Singapore, and get an ISBN no. for it, are American and British bookstores and also web-based sellers willing to take on a non-local self-published first-time writer/ illustrator?

Do I absolutely have to publish it in the countries I want to market it? Do I do this by launching the book in US/ UK or can I do this after launching in Singapore, presuming the sales isn't THAT fantastic? Or can I try to sell the books to distributors before it is printed in Singapore, using its reputation as having been accepted and polished by the nation's Media Development Authority as selling point?

Does anyone have contacts or information on marketing and distributing the book in US/ UK myself and on such service providers, since I am not local and lack both the local expertise and general publishing expertise? Are there companies who handle distribution and marketing?

Does distributing in US/ UK mean I have to get a new US/ UK ISBN number?

The book has a twisted ending, not an entirely happy one like in most children's stories. Itz a tad Shel Silverstein/ Tim Burton like. Going by this vague description, is this more suited for UK or US market? Oh, and it rhymes ...

I have read bad reviews about vanity publishing, so I would place this as my last option. Is it true that traditional channels of distribution like bookstores will not touched books from Vanity Publishers?

I am not interested in small scale publishing. I wish my book to be read by as many as possible to get the message across about the abuse Asian elephants suffer. Many may love this majestic animal, cause it even more abuse through touristic activities simply due to lack of knowledge, and even plan to donate a portion of the proceeds to buying an abused elephant off the streets to recover in a good elephant sanctuary. Of course the book is not blantantly outfront in its message. It is a fable, and simply illustrated much like Shel Silverstein's. So I do want my book to do well and am not interested in vanity publishing.

Many thanks to the kind souls replying to my numerous queries!

Best,
JP