I'm currently writing a book. It's Fantasy; about a girl who finds out she is a witch, it is set in a universe/world totally made up by me. The girl starts out as an orphan and servant then finds out she is a witch and goes to a school of sorcery, she then finds out some evil guy killed her parents and she the finds out about her long lost brother who was adopted by someone from the evil-side. Then as the story goes on she finds out time has been changed so they are living and alternate time-line and she has to try and turn her brother back to the good side and they have to sort out the time-lines etc. At first the plot outline may sound a bit harry potter-ish in some parts but I assure you it is very different when you acctually read the story. I am 15 years old and I haven't really done much writing before but I do write and publish fanfiction on fanfiction.net I have been encouraged by a few friends/family to try and get this published in a few months when I've drafted and edditted it. I think I would like to publish this and I would like to know if anyone has had experience of subbmitting manuscripts and how easy it is to find a literay agent then a publisher. I know there are quite a few childrens authers but how much chance does anyone think I would have in getting published etc? My book would be for 8-13 year olds, I think, as the main charachter is 11 at the begining of the story. I was wondering if their are any places where I can find out how to go about subbmitting to publishers etc. I dont want anywhere that would cost alot of money because I dont heve that and I want somewhere that wouldnt instantly dissmiss me because I am only 15. If anyone would like to see any of the story feel free to email rockangel1515@rocketmail.com

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Finally someone on here who is in a similar situation! I am 15 too and i have been writing a fantasy book for over a year. But, before i approach publishers, i want to be completely finished and be able to edit the manuscript myself first. Don't worry about only being 15. Last year in the UK alone several young people got their fantasy novels published - their ages ranged from 12 - 16. Heard of Emma Urquhart of "Dragon Tamers" ? There is this great e-zine for people like us called: http://thepurplepen.wordpress.com It covers absolutely everything including all the stages of the publication process. Also here is a link of fantasy publishers: http://www.writewords.org.uk/directory/level2_pages.asp?subtypeid=17 Have you finished? If not, how far along are you? If you are good enough, then of course you will have a good shot at getting published, whatever your age. I would love to talk to you (because you sound like you're in a similar situation) so would you mind if i added you? my email is jennieszoo@hotmail.co.uk Hope it helps :)

Well, the first thing I would do is to remove my e-mail address from this message unless you want to be deluged with spam from the spam bots. Secondly, your age does not matter as long as you have an original story. Unfortunately, most people, adult and young alike, will find it very hard to get a manuscript published. This is because the stories are not unique, the plots and characters are not well developed, the writing is not very good or interesting, and sometimes they just can't catch a break. I've read from literary agents (they have blogs and whatnot) that age doesn't matter and the same standards are set for them as it is for any adult. In fact, if you go to http://www.absolutewrite.com and look under the forum titled Ask the Agent (or something similar) then agent Nathan Bransford actually mentions this, because someone around your age asks him if being under 18 would be an impediment, and he's told by the agent that it won't. Another member who's 15/16 mentions that he has written a book and that age wasn't a factor. It's a very long thread, but I think it's mentioned before the 20th page (lol). Plus, reading the thread could help you learn about what the market is like for the type of book your writing and ask your own questions (if you're a member). He also has a weblog. My other favorite blog is http://www.pubrants.com which is written by another literary agent who gives mounds of insights on what catches agent's and publisher's attention in stories, how to get an agent, how to negotiate a publishing contract by yourself, and so forth. Like, her current posts are about what publishers aren't looking for, Epic Fantasy being one of them, unless the plot is exceptionally unique. My advice is to edit, edit, and edit some more. If you've only edited into its second draft then you need to edit it some more to make sure it's publish ready when you begin querying agents and publishers. I know you mentioned that your friends and family think you should publish it, but that's actually a running joke in the publishing world - about how people will query agents and mention how their family and friends love the story so that makes it publish worthy. It's good to get feedback from friends and family, but make sure they're critiquing your work. If something is confusing to them then that's one of the things they should be pointing out to you. It's the same if: something could be better written; some dialogue doesn't make sense; you have superfluous information; it's too wordy in many parts; you're using words incorrectly; your plots don't flow well together; and etc, etc. You should also get opinions from people who aren't close to you. You can go to absolutewrite.com and ask for beta readers. They are people who will read your story and point out possible changes and things that could be made better. They could also go through and check your grammar and punctuation. You could volunteer to read their manuscript in exchange and offer advice. You might be able to find beta readers in the age group you're looking for, or maybe some who are a bit older, like your age. BTW, I think you have to be a member to see the beta readers section. Also, there's a Show Your Work section, where you can post some of your work and get valuable feedback. There are other communities out there like AbsoluteWrite. Getting published is not easy, whether you're an adult or minor. Granted, most people your age haven't mastered writing well enough to write a full novel, so it's the bad writing that keeps them out. It's still a rare occurrence to see someone in his/her early 20s get published for that same reason. Good writing comes to people a bit later in life. I remember when I was in my early 20s and tried to write a novel. I'm sure if I still had that work that I would realize how much it stank. If you have the ability to tell a really good story and write it just as well, then you are one of those rare young people who could very well get published. Either way, congrats on finishing a novel, whether it's published or not, because it takes a great deal of patience to do it. Besides the links in my post, i have some resources for you. Also, follow the links in the blog to other good websites/blogs by other professionals in the publishing industry. Good luck to you! EDIT: I forgot to mention that before you begin querying agents/publishers that you need to make sure that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation is nearly perfect. You need to edit your own book, because an agent will not do this for you. Also, if you're lucky enough to get an agent then they will suggest changes. If you get a publisher then they'll suggest changes, too. So, don't get too attached to your characters or plots.

Not a huge chance, to be honest. But not because of age discrimination, because most 15 year olds don't write at a pro level, and agents only want to take on authors whose work they think they can sell. Conversely, if they think your work will sell, they are certainly not going to turn you away no matter what age you are. You do not have to tell anyone how old you are when you first query them. Let your work stand on its merit. I'd recommend you put an extra stage in your schedule. Join a critique site such as www.critiquecircle.com. If you do it now, you can build up plenty of credits (you will need them to be able to get comments on your own book), and at the same time you will get a feel for what people like and what they don't, and the level of writing you need to be aiming for. You do _not_ want to be sending off to an agent something which has only been read by you and by friends and family who will think it's wonderful that you wrote that many words at all. And never pay anyone to be your agent or to publish your book.