It’s exactly the same story every year: This year the novel will finally get published! This year could truly be it. Here is how to get a book published this year. Writing a book is hard enough, however getting it published with a legitimate publisher–large or small–is where the true challenge starts. Things you will need is a Word processor, printer, envelopes and postage.
In summary,
1. Complete the book. It ought to go without saying, however the book should be finished before publishers or agents would want to take a look at it, especially if this is a first novel. I suggest writing 600 to 1,200 words daily. At 800 words a day, 7 days weekly, a 70,000 word manuscript will be finished in about three months.
2. Edit, edit, edit. Then edit more. This is where writer’s groupings, workshops and professional feedback come in. A book is made or lost through the editing process. Published novels are not just edited for grammar and spelling, they’re also edited for story content, character arcs and narrative structure. A good editor often means the distinction between a published book and a stack of papers accumulating dust in the desk drawer.
3. Find an agent or even publisher. This is where literature like Writer’s Market and Literary Marketplace come in. Do a little research. Which published books are exactly like the one just completed? Who publishes that kind of book? Make a list of agents as well as publishers who might be interested in the book.
4. Query properly. Many agents and publishers have submission regulations on their website and publishing instructions like Writers Market. Follow the guidelines exactly. Not following guidelines is the best route to the trash.
5. Wait. Yes, wait. Do much more research and keep writing while waiting around. If an agent or publisher won’t respond, follow up after a few weeks prior to moving forward to query others.
Learn more about how to get a novel published. Stop by Zoe Carr’s site at http://firsttimeauthors.org where you can find MUST READ tips for new authors.
