Book publishing process

Would anyone here know how to begin the process for having a book published?

My wife had gastric bypass surgery four years ago. She kept a journal about her experience before and during that time. The added twist to this story occured this year when she gave birth to our third child (a healthy baby boy).

She has had a lot of people (men and women) want to talk to her about the surgery, the good and the bad. Many of these people are contemplating having this surgery and are very curious about her experience. SHe is quite happy to talk with them and explain, to the best of her ability, the situation involved.

We were discussing this situation a few days ago and joked about having her write a book about her journey through this experience, from the days before, during, and her successful pregnancy afterward. After some long thought though, we wondered if it would be something to persue.

We believe it would not only be profitable, but more importantly help other people who are seriously considering going through with this life changing surgery.

Neither one of us are writers. My wife believes she may have something to say that many people may be interested in learning/reading about. Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading,

Rick

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[Posted by Stephan Iscoe:]

Hi, Rick;
Congratulations to you and your wife.
First check this out http://www.mygastricbypass.com/ -
one lady's way of communicating her story.

A search of Google Trends shows a pretty steady interest in
Gastric Bypass Surgery.

What I suggest (then I'll address publishing a book!) is to
set up a Blog (you use a free one at Blogger.com (http://Blogger.com) - example
at Genital-Herpes-Info.com (http://Genital-Herpes-Info.com) ) and just copy her Journal
entries to the blog.

Now, publishers (not vanity presses) will want to receive manuscripts
from agents rather than unsolicited from new authors.
A good agent can also recommend someone to help with style and editing.
The first thing the publisher wants from the agent is a proposal.
Sources for DIY writing and getting published are Writer's Digest,
WritersDigest.com (http://WritersDigest.com) (you can find them at the Bookstore) and
and SoYaWanna (http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/...blishbook.html) and at Amazon's BookSurge.com (http://www.booksurge.com/)

Best of Success,
Stephan

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[Posted by Bill:]

You could try http://www.lulu.com for self-publishing. I just bought this self-published book from there, and it looks great: http://www.lulu.com/content/1192937

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[Posted by RickC:]

Thanks for the feedback Stephan and Bill. I googled "Gastric Bypass" just to see what was out there. There is a lot more than I expected, but then again, every story is different.

My wife will take that advice and begin with a blog. It's a start. I know there is a right way and wrong way to go about this process. We'll see where she can go with it. Maybe a website, too. It needs to be something that is actually useful and helpful to all that are interested in having the procedure and to those that could use support afterward.

I forgot to mention in my original post that I was also interested in knowing if anyone on this board has ever been published or have written articles for magazines/newspapers.


Rick

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Rick,

There are of course many, many ways to publish a book, from self publishing to using sites that will perform all the services for you to publish your book, including editing and printing and binding the book for you to a full pledged publisher who pays an advance and all that.

That said, I have a friend who might be able to help. His wife has just helped edit and publish a book and is looking for more clients to help. His name is Jay Clark and I can get you their number if you leave a message to me.
[email protected]. I think she would be very reasonable.

Also, if you want to create an e-book, here is a site where you can watch videos.

http://www.howtobuildanebook.com

Good luck...

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