I have written a book tentatively titled "Party Planning 101". It has a dozen party themes and guides the host/hostess through the planning process ... from providing a sample invitation, grocery list, ideas to carry the theme through the event, decorating ideas, and an hour-by-hour schedule to help the host get ready.

I have several questions and I am hopeful that someone can provide me with assistance:

1. Do I need an agent?
2. If so, how do I find an agent? What do I look for in an agent?
3. If I choose to self-publish, how does that work?

I've looked on the internet but there is so much out there and I am not sure what is legitimate and what is bogus.

Any assistance would be truly appreciated!

I know very little on this subject. But I think I read recently -- maybe in this paper -- about a "publisher" in Frederick that is kinda in between a self-publisher and a "regular" publisher like Harper-Collins, etc. Try a search at herald-mail.com.

Also, maybe try to find a web forum like this one for writers.

Good luck.

Be careful. there are a lot of so called "Vanity Press" publishers out there that are just looking to take your money.

I'm not sure how much help he can be, but the guy that runs the Western Maryland Room at the Washington County Public Library in downtown Hagerstown has published a bunch of books, especially on the Civil War. You might want to make contact with John Frye there. Or perhaps look up one of his books and see who published it and contact that publisher.

Umm, on second thought, I'm not real sure he's still there. He was also a tech consultant for the Gods and Generals movie.

John Frye is a fixture in the W. Md. room. When he dies, his ghost will take over!

When the library had the Gala in the Stacks, they had an author speak about getting published. She's a local, and I know her slightly, as we attend the same church and have daughters of the same age. I can't remember her pen name for the life of me right now, but if you want her real name, send me a PM. I'd guess you could find her in the phone book.

I have no knowledge in this field, but I know that one of my textbooks lists HAGERSTOWN as a place of printing. The publisher is "Harper and Row Publishers."

Many of my professors publish books, but I believe they use a bigtime media mogul in Richmond that is a trustee or something with the Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper.

I know local author Susan Crites used to have her books published by either Quebecor or Quadeographics or some other publisher in Martinsburg.

Doesn't Nora Roberts live around here somewhere? She's a pretty well known author. Her husband a book shop or something. Maybe you could inquire there.

Good luck lebby!

I think she lives in Williamsport or Boonsboro.

"Nora" lives in Boonsboro. Her husband Bruce owns/operates "Turn the Page" bookstore there.

I doubt she'll talk to you. I understand she makes her own cousins buy her books.

Oh. How nasty.

I'd suggest starting with a book called 2005 Writer's Market (there's one for novelists, one for poets, one guide to literary agents). Browse your local bookstore's reference section for similar books. Lots of good information there... including things like how to format your manuscript, how to find an agent, how to avoid scams, etc.

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to respond ... I'll follow up on some of your suggestions and keep you posted ... again, Thanks!