The book leapt into news in early 2005 when a rare first edition sold at auction for more than $2,000.

The strangest thing about book is that it is not a work of science fiction, as we would generally understand term, nor some obscure tract of religious prophecy. Instead it's a novel about, of all things, golf.

Written by a 19th-century professional Scottish golfer named J. (or Jay) McCullough, about whom very little is known, Golf in Year 2000; or, What We Are Coming To also predicted advent of golf carts and international golf competitions.

Published under McCollough's pseudonym, J.A.C.K., book chronicles tale of a character named Alexander J. Gibson who falls into a near-comatose state on March 24, 1892. He awakens 108 years later (on March 25, 2000) into a world, where, among other things, women dress like men, run businesses and hold most of top government positions.

Gibson also learns, to his considerable delight, that women do all work in this evolved society while men play golf full time. Upon being informed of this fact, he cries out that it's "the dream of my former existence come true! I am, indeed, a lucky man to see it. ... The world is evidently getting things ship-shape. ... Oh, how I would like to wake up some of my old chums. I know a few who would appreciate arrangement."

But Gibson finds that his beloved golf has changed radically, too. He has to adjust to existence of driverless golf carts, golf clubs that automatically register their user's score and jackets that yell "Fore!" whenever golfer begins to swing. He finds jackets to be particularly grating, but it's rule at every club in Britain: you can't play unless you're wearing one.

He also gets to watch -- via a television-like device that works through an elaborate mirror arrangement -- a golf competition between Britain and United States, much like Ryder Cup (an event which did not begin until 1927).

And, he learns that wars have ceased, at least among European powers, because international disputes are now settled by ... golf matches.

One thing about golf hasn't changed, Gibson reflects following a round of golf in which he emerges victor--and has to listen to his defeated opponent grousing about bad luck. "The same old excuses, I thought. Among all those inventions, surely they might have got something new in that line."

“If you write without getting published, then there is no use in writing at all” Those are words of wisdom from someone who wants you to seriously consider publishing your book.

But before you really do so, you will do well to consider these questions:

1.Have I actually written a best – seller?

2. Do I believe that people will read my book?

3. Is my theme such a timely one that public should know?

4. Am I expecting responses from my readers?

5. Will I benefit in one way or other from publication of this book?

6. Will I be contented even if I don’t make money?

If you answer in affirmative to one or more of above questions, then do not hesitate to listen to above advice to publish.

It will, therefore, be nice for you to know different publishing channels available, so as to enable you make an informed decision.

Trade Publishers

Also called commercial publishers, these are big fish in publishing industry. They include Longman, Macmillan, Heinemann, Random House, Houghton Mifflin, Doubleday Books, Little Brown and Co., and Brace Jovanovich, among others. They publish without asking for payment from authors.

My advice to you is that if you are pre – published, if you are a new writer, do not waste your time submitting your books to these elephants. Because they will not publish you!

Yes, they have published a few unknowns like Eric Segal (LOVE STORY) and Kathleen Winsor (FOREVER AMBER) But what about countless others who got polite rejection slip: “We are sorry your book does not meet our present needs. Good luck”.

I am among that number. I got a rejection slip from one of them, one year after submission! Can you imagine that? Twelve calendar months! And in end, you would have to pray to god of good luck, to get a publisher. And after another one year, another rejection slip. Another prayer. So you would have to spend a lifetime looking for a publisher, after months or years of hard work, writing your book.

The point is that they don’t have time to read your book. Or they can’t recognize a good book if they see one. Or, they can’t afford to risk their money publishing a new comer like you, without hope of getting huge profits. Or, all of above.

But consider: If you were a great writer, perhaps a Nobel Laureate who had written a magnum opus. Or, if you were some celebrated politician with a memoir about your dalliance with some red – lipped prostitutes.

Or, if as a scientist, you had written a book about how time travels backwards, titled THE THEORY OF BACKWARD MOVEMENT. And you even promise to take your readers in a space ship to witness some epochal events –- pick your choice -– fall of Carthage, (history), splitting of continents (geography), Noah’s flood (religion), and real thing -- Big Bang (Science). Do you know how publishers would react?

All of them, above ones I have mentioned, and others not named, would rush to dangle certified Bank checks with ten digit figures before your smiling face! But try sending your unsolicited manuscript, you unknown writer; and be damned! Let’s illustrate this point further. Do you know Jerzy Kosinski’s THE THIRTY – NINE STEPS? Yes, one writer had that best – seller typed, and submitted, as a manuscript by a new writer, and waited for an answer. And what reply did he get? All trade publishers rejected it. All agents told him, “no way’”. And to worst experiment, Random House which originally published book, threw it out as an insignificant book. Yet, this was a National Book Award Winner. Even, some other best- sellers were “randomly” rejected. Like THE JUNGLE by Upton Sinclair. Like Thomas Paine’s COMMON SENSE. Like MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION by Lloyd C. Douglas. Do you now understand what I mean when I say you should not go to them? But you have another chance. Subsidy Publishers