You did it. You finished your
manuscript. Excitement brims within you and you are ready to be published. What
next?
1) Read. Do internet searches.
Pick up a book like The Everything Get
Published Book by Meg Schneider and Barbara Doyen. (This book gives a great
beginner’s overview for all things publishing and also provides a fabulous
guide for writing your first query letter.)
2) Network. Tap
your contacts. If you know anyone who knows anything about publishing, take them
out for coffee. Email all your friends, tell them what you are doing, and ask
for help. Create a Facebook page for your career as an author.
3) Edit. You may think your book
is finished, but as long as you have the opportunity to refine it, seize that opportunity.
As you search for a publisher, spend your time editing.
4) Write.
Write the sequel so that it is ready to go. Start a blog. Look for freelance
pieces. Join your college’s newspaper. Volunteer to oversee the church
newsletter. Your goal as you ready yourself for publishing is to a) get better at your craft, b) show people what a good writer you
are so that they have an appetite for your book, and c) build your resume so that you are more desirable.
5) Agent.
Determine whether or not you want an agent. Agents usually get paid when you
do, which means they do not cost more upfront. While they do take a chunk of
your profits, they have two great benefits. A)
Many publishers will not deal with an author directly. An agent is the only way
to get your book to these companies. B)
Agents oversee not only your public relations, but also your contract. I knew
an author whose agent got him a $50,000 bonus for being a ‘historical
consultant’ on the film that was to be made of his book. That was over and
above his ‘author’ royalties. Independently, no writer would know how to
bargain like that. Unfortunately and rather like publishers, agents can be
quite picky about who they deal with.
5) Book. Pick up a copy of a
book like Jeff Herman's Guide to Book
Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents. This will give you a list of
reputable publishers, editors, and agents, as well as telling you a bit about
them. For instance, it will describe what type of book Publisher A is looking
for, how they like to be communicated with, and if they accept query letters
from individual authors. This is a good way to select an agent (if you choose
to get one) and determine which publishing houses you will correspond with (if
you choose not to get an agent).
6) Query. The
query letter is the hardest thing you will probably ever have to write in your
life. In a single-sided page you must communicate to a publisher a) who you are, b) what experience you have, c)
what your book is about, d) what the
market for the book is, e) why the
market will buy the book, f) what
your advertising strategy for the book is, g)
why you are good fit for the publisher, and h)
what a good writer you are. The last part is done simply by the way you string
your words together in the letter. Communicating all those points briefly
proves what a good writer you are.
7) Follow.
Everything in publishing is a test. Publishers want to know how needy you are,
if you can follow the rules, and if you are forbearing. Consider the publisher
as doing more than reviewing a book. They are interviewing you too. So,
whatever guideline the publisher gives you, follow it to the letter. Most
companies prefer email communication. Most take up to four-six weeks to
respond. Push them to move faster and you will alienate the publisher. Where
they lead you must follow.
It cannot be denied that
working with a traditional publisher can be a challenge. Nonetheless, there is
a reason most authors choose to hold out for publication through a professional
publishing house. They bring financial backing and experience to every part of
the publishing process, alleviating not only much work but also much
aggravation from the author. Getting in with a traditional publisher is a hard,
but worthwhile venture.
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