Greetings from a beginner!?!?!

[Higginsh]

Grace and Peace to you through our Lord Jesus Christ!

This is my first attempt at "thread" and forum communication.

My name is Hardie and I have just begun to write my first book. I am a retired Army Chaplain writing about PTSD.

Oklahoma is my home now but I am willing to go anywhere the Lord directs.

Need lots of encouragement and insight to writing and publishing a book.

H E L P is welcomed and needed.

Thank you in advance.

Hardie

[Higginsh]

Does a new writer need an agent or is it possible to get published with an agent?

How does one find a good agent?

HH

[Keith Wallis]

Welcome aboard. I can see "Hardie Higgins" on the spine of a book - the name looks as if it belongs there !
Agents are outside my sphere of expertise so I'll leave comment to others. If you scan through some of the other general forums here you'll find "agents" crop up as a topic fairly frequently.

[David Meigs]

Hardie, welcome to the CW family!

You will find a great deal of discussion in the writer’s forum (http://christianwriters.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=51)about both finding agents and getting published. Lots of helpful and experienced folks here too, who I’m sure will offer valuable advice if you post a question in a new thread.

I wish you success!

[Higginsh]

Thanks Keith and Curmudgeon,
I am currently building a proposal.
need to find the "Right" agent to help me get it "right."
You words encourage me and add to my hope.

God Bless you both,
H

[whitehawke]

Hi there and welcome to cw. All the best with your writing.

[paulchernoch]

Hello and all that. You are tackling a weighty subject, so I wish you well.

Since it sounds from your description like a non-fiction book, you will need to prepare a non-fiction book proposal. There are excellent books on the subject which you will find discussed in the Writer's forum. The most important point to make is that for fiction, you have to have a complete book written before you can write to agents and publishers, but for non-fiction, all you need is three sample chapters, a chapter-by-chapter outline, author's bio, analysis of the competiting titles on the subject, cover letter, and a few other things in your proposal before you can start sending out queries. Writing a good proposal can still take months, but you don't need a whole book ready before you start your search.

- Paul (experienced beginner :D )

[Higginsh]

Thanks Paul,
got the book 95% completed. Just need guidance on publication, re-write and agents. Plus guidance on the million other things I don't know to ask.
HH

[mel3]

Welcome to CW! Best of luck with the writing!

[arembe]

Hi Hardie. Welcome! You've come to a great place for encouragement and help with your writing. And it looks like you're already getting some of both...

[Lynn001]

Grace and Peace to you through our Lord Jesus Christ!

This is my first attempt at "thread" and forum communication.

My name is Hardie and I have just begun to write my first book. I am a retired Army Chaplain writing about PTSD.

Oklahoma is my home now but I am willing to go anywhere the Lord directs.

Need lots of encouragement and insight to writing and publishing a book.

H E L P is welcomed and needed.

Thank you in advance.

Hardie
Hi Hardie,

Welcome! I'm new at CW, too . . . just joined yesterday.

I would be especially interested to hear what you have to say from your experineces as an Army Chaplain. You see, I am a theoogy student (emphasis on Pastoral Care), also enrolled in my second unit of CPE, and I am currently a chaplain intern at a local VA nursing home. I am just now learning about PTSD, among other things. Hurry and finish your book so that I can buy it! :)

[jacks girl]

Welcome home we've been saving you a spot.

[eleazar]

.... and help is offered. I bet you have some stories to tell having been an army chaplain. I have always wondered what its like in Oklahoma with its carrots and pertaters, spinach and termayters and oh what beautiful mornings.

[mahatma]

Hi Hardy, welcome to CW! Love your first attempt at this forum. When I joined, I didn't even know what a 'thread' was, haha:D
I'm still learning!
PS: I know a great Christian publisher in Mustang, Oklahoma, maybe you should try them.

[Higginsh]

Marja,
Thanks, I did not know about the publisher in Mustang, would like to know more.
Have a blessed day!!! hh

[Higginsh]

.... and help is offered. I bet you have some stories to tell having been an army chaplain. I have always wondered what its like in Oklahoma with its carrots and pertaters, spinach and termayters and oh what beautiful mornings.

Some of my "stories" about the military chaplaincy would be considered fiction by anyone but another chaplain.

It was an exciting, eventfilled time.

Thanks and the taters are planted and the termayters are small and green but should be better 'bout half way through next month"

hh

[mahatma]

Hi Hardy,
Elsewhere on this forum there has been a dicussion about Tate Publishing in Oklahoma (see: I am getting published by marykay). There are pro's and con's. I am very satisfied with them! If you have work worth publishing, it will get out there. I think Patience is the main word in this business anyway. I pray the Lord will give you wisdom in making the right choices!:D

[David Meigs]

Hi Hardy,
Elsewhere on this forum there has been a dicussion about Tate Publishing in Oklahoma (see: I am getting published by marykay). There are pro's and con's. I am very satisfied with them! If you have work worth publishing, it will get out there. I think Patience is the main word in this business anyway. I pray the Lord will give you wisdom in making the right choices!:D This forum is for the purpose of welcoming new members. :)

[didot]

This seems like an extremely important topic. Research it well.