I wrote a Batman novel - Seeking publication

[Castlewood]

So, I wrote a Batman book... it's a novel. I'm majoring in writing right now at a university, so I know a thing or two about novels - I previously wrote an original novel before I did this Batman one.

Anyway, it hits the 300 page mark, roughly 320-330, depending on how it looks in book form (different than Microsoft Word), and I won't go into too much detail about it... but it's very much along the lines of "realism" and the whole "Begins" universe... however, it deals with new villains, and new problems that have nothing to do with the movie. It's just it's own separate entity.

I reeeally want to get this published, and well... I have no clue how. Who do I contact? Who do I get ahold of? Where do I take it? Obviously, I'm writing about copyrighted characters, so I need the permission of DC comics/Warner Bros. or else it's kind of illegal to go all the way with it, since Batman and everything relating to Batman is a trademark. So how do I do it?

This has been my DREAM ever since I was 5 (to write a Batman book), and now I finally did it... So how do I get it published!??!

Thanks!

 

[Mee]

Well, obviously you have to contact DC, then they would publish it/find a publisher, if they like it.

I guess.

 

[Rockbottom]

Summary of the plot?

 

[spdrknight]

No offense, but DC is not going to talk to or deal with you because you are not known. Many authors have a problem getting their foot in the door because most publishers are looking for names when it comes to books, the publishers want to know there is a chance that if it invests in you the money it puts forward will be made back, and then some.

My advise, get an agent. Agents have contacts and know the industry. Today, no publisher even looks at manuscripts that are solicited by the author him or her self. An agent is your best bet. And even getting the attention of one is difficult.

Another hint, try writing short stories and entering literary contests. Those are good ways to get noticed. Making a name for yourself is key in this business.

One more thing... have you gone through an edited your work? Editing is a big deal, and your professionalism can be seen by the amount of time you put into really making the work perfect.

 

[venom628]

Well, obviously you have to contact DC, then they would publish it/find a publisher, if they like it.

I guess.

true.

 

[mDrFkRjRm]

try to contact jett of batman-on-film.com and let him read your story.

 

[venom628]

try to contact jett of batman-on-film.com and let him read your story.

I Agree with that to.

 

[Castlewood]

Well, obviously I can't summarize the plot here.

What if I can't afford an agent? I'm poor.

And, does Jett have connections to DC or something? Above all, would he want to actually sit down and read a 300 page book?

 

[spdrknight]

It doesn't hurt to ask Jett.

About the agent... then you got to market the book yourself. Self Publishing might not be that glamorous, but it is sometimes a way to get attention as well. But of course you need to go to DC, not matter what, and ask them for permission. And that is easier said then done.

I have a question Temple... is your book marketable to individuals outside the comic fandom, or is it more geared toward the hard-core geeks out there?

 

[Castlewood]

Well, if I had to give just a little info on it, I'll give you this. The main characters are Batman, Alfred, Joker, Penguin, Gordon, Dr. Kirk Langström (not as Man-Bat), and Summer Gleason (the reporter).

 

[spdrknight]

Who is the audience though? Sometimes comic book novels don't find a wide audience because of the content and air that people assume comes with it.

 

[Castlewood]

The audience wouldn't need to be hardcore fanboys (like myself, lol).... you don't need to be a comic book expert to understand it. It's very much a story with universal themes... but that's not to say that hardcore fans wouldn't like it either. I think anybody can read it, particularly teenaged boys - if I had to pick an age group.

 

[spdrknight]

If you need some help or anyone to read the manuscript give me a shout. I've been writing a long time and I am on the verge, in the last stages, of publishing my first book. Its not an easy thing to get the attention of the right people in the industry but... you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

No offense, but DC is not going to talk to or deal with you because you are not known. Many authors have a problem getting their foot in the door because most publishers are looking for names when it comes to books, the publishers want to know there is a chance that if it invests in you the money it puts forward will be made back, and then some.

My advise, get an agent. Agents have contacts and know the industry. Today, no publisher even looks at manuscripts that are solicited by the author him or her self. An agent is your best bet. And even getting the attention of one is difficult.

Another hint, try writing short stories and entering literary contests. Those are good ways to get noticed. Making a name for yourself is key in this business.

One more thing... have you gone through an edited your work? Editing is a big deal, and your professionalism can be seen by the amount of time you put into really making the work perfect.

Yeah--one of my dreams is to write for a Batman comic, but I know that I have a slim chance in hell in doing it first time out. So, I'm getting more ideas in and writing original work as well.

 

[spdrknight]

Personally, I enjoy writing about characters of my own making, not of those created by others. Yeah, it would be cool to write about an existing character that I grew up and loved, but it is not the same. Plus, if you change some detail of the character fan-boys go nuts. Dealing with disgruntle fan-boys is not my idea of fun. I think I'll stick to my own stuff, thank you very much.

Good luck to Temple though.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

My advice is that you have the best medium in the world in front of you, where you can publish it free and have more readers than a novel would ever get. You won't get paid, but you won't get edited either. You can write exactly what you want.

 

[spdrknight]

^It could be the notoriety that the guy wants. A sense of pride and accomplishment. Seeing your work on the shelves next to other published authors would be pretty cool. After all, it is not the same as posting the novel on a message board. And I really don't think he would get more exposure on a message board then in a book store or on a site like Amazon, marketing is key and that is all he needs to get people to pick up the book.