Hiya Celestine. It's not a cheeky question at all; it's tough for people outside the publishing world to get a handle on how books actually reach the pubbing stage. I could submit your works to my editor friends but am certain that they'll chuck it aside or read it just to satisfy me and then chuck it aside. This isn't a reflection of the quality of your writing at all. The publishing world adheres to a tough set of protocol; unsolicitied manuscripts (regardless of who they're coming from within the company) will not be seriously considered for publication. What you need to do is find yourself a literary agent and rather than submitting your work to random agents, you must research into it. I'd first find present-day writers whose works are thematically and stylistically similar to yours. Figure out who the writer's agent is and submit a letter and your ms to that agent, and, essentially, sell yourself as someone who can fit into the same category as said writer. I have spoken to agents in the past and they take these sorts of submissions very, very seriously. Now, once you have secured an agent for yourself (naturally, the more high powered the agent, the better), your agent will be your representative to the publishing companies and will pitch your book for you. Editors only look at and seriously consider solicited manuscripts. I can tell you from first hand experience that unsolicited manuscripts are collected and then read over monthly by assistants over something called "slush lunch." It's not a pretty picture. If you have questions about agents, I can certainly help you there and feel free to email me with any concerns you have.

hey sabila!!!
very cheeky question here!!!!!!!!! could you get some of my philosophy published ???
i could send it to you hard or soft copy.
my journals are chapters from it ....
there are about 30 chapters in total of varying length.

Salman, I'm actually very good friends with Kurt Vonnegut's editor (we pub his books). He's one kooky character. Although I've never met him, I have heard stories. Have you read any of his other works?

Celestine: My favorite book if I had to choose would have to be TimeQuake by Vonnegutt. Love his quirky style: a lot of it you see in Douglas Adams as well (Hitch Hiker author).

You also have to read the short stories of Maupassant and Manto... they are eerily similar to Maugham (or vice-versa).

On Human Bondage full novel here: www.bibliomania.com

Salman, I couldn't have said it any better myself.

cool //// just ordered that and walden (thoreau) on abebooks today ... willlet you know what i thought of it ... whats the best book you've ever read salman?

There is no one lesson as such, its more of observations of frailities and seedy/calculating side of human nature, a lot of which is hinted at towards the end of his stories in a very unassuming manner often leaving you with a "huh, where is the rest of the story? is that all?". Anyone here a fan of his short stories as well?

heard of the dude ... but never read the book .... whats the lesson of the book (in one sentence please)?

Maugham is simply great!!! And I can never forget the ending of this book.. I found it really amusing and in typical Maugham style, he was able to capture so much depth in just two sentences... this guy had a real gift!!