Could anyone help me?

In article <9cfab8f3.0309091857.25b2154e.TakeThisOut@posting.google.com>,
allenbglines2.TakeThisOut@aol.com says...
 > I'm currently writing a book about the history of basketball, but
 > unfortunately I don't have a publisher. Could anyone help me with
 > this? Send me an email at allenbglines2.TakeThisOut@aol.com if you can.

Two things, in reverse order of importance:

1. It's bad manners to ask people to send you email in a newsgroups
posting. You shared your question in a public forum. Expect to
be enriched by everyone's responses and interactions. Most seasoned
newsgroup users will not even deign to reply to you at all.

2. About publishers: The best thing you can do is to prepare a query
for agents or publishers. Your chances of finding a good publisher
are probably better if you hook up with an agent.

Before you start hunting for an agent or publisher, work your way through
this list:

a) Who are your audience and why will they want to read your book? You
won't be able to sell the book unless you answer these questions first.

b) Check what other works are currently available on basketball. Amazon,
Borders, and other large retailers are excellent places for this type of
research.

c) Do the same thing as in b), but this time at your nearest major
library.

d) While you're at the library, check out "Books in Print" and note any
potentially competing titles.

e) Read all the potentially competing titles that you find in print.

f) Write down the things that make your book better or different than the
others out there with the same potential mindshare. These are your main
selling points!

g) If you can't come up with anything in f), it's probably time to stop
and start working on a different topic. The differences between your
work and others' are what will make your book saleable. You can't sell
if you don't offer anything innovative.

h) If you determine that your book is different or better in ways that
will interest your potential audience, then you have a good shot at
finding an agent or a publisher.

It sounds like a lot of work. It isn't. Compare it with all the work
and frustration that you'll endure if you write a whole book and then
can't sell it.

Finding an agent or a publisher isn't as hard as most people think. It's
actually rather easy. All you have to do is present a fresh or
interesting idea as professinally as possible. Query often and soon
you'll have an agent or a publisher. Follow query guidelines
religiously. Remember that agents and publishers care about business.
That's why I suggested that you first take care of a) through h). You
must pitch them something that they can sell.

For practical information, I'd suggest that you start with a subscription
to <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.writersmarket.com" target="_blank">www.writersmarket.com</a> or find this year's Writer's Market at the
library. They offer comprehensive lists of publishers, periodicals,
agents, and other venues where you can sell your story. I like the on-
line version because it's cheaper and more up-to-date than the book.
They also have many on-line tools for managing your query and publication
process. No, I don't work for them. I'm just a satisfied client.

Feel free to ask us at alt.writing about the specifics of how to
structure your query once you're done with a) through h). We'll be happy
to assist.

Cheers and good luck,

pr3d4t0r
"Use simple tools and superior grey matter to
figure out what's wrong." -- Matthew Strebe<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->