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[LeeC]

So I have been interesting in publishing a book but I am not sure how it works. I plan to do some research but I know others have and wanted to know what to expect or what to be cautious of.  I honestly fear that what I write might end up being too similar to something that already exist but I had no idea it even existed.  I know its a stupid thing to think about but it remains in my head regardless. Do publishers even look at that kind of thing, do I just have to wait and see long after the publications? Are there better publishers to go to than others?  I guess I'm just yearning for some knowledge by someone experienced in this situation.  Any tips or anecdotes are very welcomed.

[Thrillho]

Your chances of getting accepted are extremely low, and if you are accepted, you will likely have to rewrite a lot. You will also get rejected or ignored by a lot, lot, lot of people. The rejections may not be kind in their criticism.

There are options to self-publish so you can do that but obviously it comes with less publicity. Ensure none of the writing you want to publish is anywhere online because if it can be read for free anywhere nobody will want to buy it.

As far as being similar to other things, I'm not sure if that's the kind of thing they look up necessarily but you are reliant on their knowledge of like, all literature ever, and even then some things still slip through the cracks.

That said, I really think you should go for it - if you have the resilience to deal with the criticism then I think it will be an amazing thrill ride. And depending on what kind of thing you want to write, I may even have a contact or two for you.

[LTK]

There are options to self-publish so you can do that but obviously it comes with less publicity. Ensure none of the writing you want to publish is anywhere online because if it can be read for free anywhere nobody will want to buy it.

Not necessarily. David Malki self-published a book, Machine of Death, and made it freely available under a Creative Commons license. You might want to hear what he has to say about it.

[ryangoslink]

You should look into self publishing via Amazon.

[JoeCovenant]

Don't dwell on publishing.
Think ONLY of writing the book.
As without the book, there is nothing to publish, and publishing is something subject to the whims of other individuals.

If it is fiction (I am assuming) then don't worry in the slightest about it being "too similar" to something already out there. Millions of books have been published, and (taking things to the extreme) there are only 7 basic plots to be told across all genres. ( Comedy, Tragedy, Beating the Monster, Rags to Riches, Quest, Voyage and Return, Rebirth.)

How you deal with these plots is the making of your story - and stories themselves are told and retold in many different ways.
(Star Wars = The Hidden Fortress)
(The Magnificent Seven = Seven Samurai)

If you get yourself hung up on worrying about your story maybe having a doppleganger out there somewhere, then you will never write it... or at least not in a way that is true to the story you actually want to tell. The unfortunate fact is that there are NO hard and fast rules to what will or won't be published. Publishers want new ideas, but also material similar to that which they already publish. They can give SOLID guidelines for what writers should and shouldn't do, but then announce they want someone to break the rules.
There is no easy answer.

But, again, it all comes down to what you expect to happen to your book.
If you just want the story out there, then Publishing is not difficult at all. If you want to be rich and famous, then best you learn a musical instrument, or take acting lessons - because the odds of being famous in those respects, however high, are nothing compared to the folly of writing (books) to try to make a living. Most published authors do not write full time (unless they have understanding spouses). Only the big names can earn enough to do that.

As regards publishing in general, there are basically three ways into it:

Self-Publishing - The easiest route. There are a LOT of places out there who will make your book available. Amazon being the highest profile. But as said above they do NOTHING but make it available. No hype, no marketing, no advertising - it is ALL down to you. If making money is your goal, this is the least likely route to do so... BUT the book will be published, it will *exist* (ISBN and all!)

Agent - Finding an agent can be as difficult, if not more-so, than having a mainstream publisher take you on board.
But there are a lot more agencies than there are publishers. Times have changed in the literary world and agents are now much more open to receiving unsolicited MSS, even by email, as long as their submission guidelines are followed. And there are almost as many different ways to submit than there are agencies! Agents will take your work and then use their contacts to approach publishers/editors whom they think best suit your product... for anywhere between 10-20% of the income.

Publishing Houses - This could be split into two. Mainstream and Small/Fledgling/New presses. Again, nowadays, most publishers will accept unsolicited submissions, and again all have their own guidelines. Most new writers taken on will get an advance of around £/$ 2000. Anything beyond that comes down to your contract. BUT the difference is that the publishers will market the book. (And often, don't... leaving a book adrift... which I imagine would be even more frustrating than a self-published book not selling)

Publishers can come with their own pitfalls. Torturous contracts, restrictive marketing, months waiting to find out whether or not they have even looked at your MS, MANY MANY rejections. (This is a way of life for a writer. If you can't handle rejection, it is not for you) Or, as has just happened to me, the MS taken on, worked with, cover discussed and then at the 11th hour one of the publishers better known authors handing them a book with a similar theme to yours... and yours is handed back with a thank you and a "let us see your next MS!" (That one knocked the stuffing out of me for about 6 months.)

TL/DR:
Publishing should not be your goal. Finishing the book to the best of your ability should.
There are a MYRIAD of resources out there for the fledgling author. Books, mentors, paid and unpaid, facebook groups, support groups, writers circles etc etc even (whodathunkit) web-comic forums! 
Research all of these options above, and then revert to self-publishing if all else fails.
Yes, there are stories of the unknown author taking the world by storm =- but remember that these stories only catch the imagination because they are so very, very rare.
Don't write for a projected audience... write for yourself.


STILL TL/DR:
Just write your book!

(and the best of luck to you!)

[Pilchard123]

Not specifically about publishing, but have you tried looking over on http://writers.stackexchange.com/ ?

[Morituri]

I took writers digest for a while, but it became obvious that it wasn't for writers.  It was for people who wanted to imagine that they were writers.  Big difference. 

I don't know what to recommend that's actually about, you know, writing - as opposed to "get your first book published by doing this one weird trick!!"

[Tova]

I have a friend who retired from IT in order to try his hand at writing sci-fi/fantasy. He blogs about his experience of self-publishing. Maybe you'll find some useful snippets in there.

[LeeC]

Anyone here have tried or know about writing conferences, retreats, or colonies?  Are they worth it and any that stick out as amazing?

I wouldn't say I am in a rut or anything, but I think they may help. I wanted some input from others about it or what to look for.