How to Get a Novel Published Effectively
Posted by Zoe Carr | Under Writing & Speaking Thursday Feb 11, 2010It really is a similar story every year: This year the actual book will finally get published! This year could really be it. Here’s how to get a novel published this year. Creating a book is tough enough, however getting it published by a legitimate publisher–large or even small–is when the real challenge starts. Things you will need is a Word processor, printer, the envelopes and postage.
In summary,
1. Complete the novel. It should go without saying, however the book should be completed just before publishers or agents would want to look at it, particularly if this is a first novel. I often recommend writing 600 to 1,200 words daily. With 800 words a day, seven days a week, a 70,000 word manuscript can be done in three months.
2. Edit, modify, edit. Then change some more. This is where writer’s groupings, workshops and specialized feedback come in. A book is made or lost during the editing process. Published books won’t be just edited for grammar and spelling, they’re furthermore edited for story content, character arcs and narrative structure. An excellent editor can mean the distinction between a published book and a stack of papers accumulating dust in a 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. The majority of agents and publishers have submission rules on their website and in publishing guides like Writers Market. Follow the guidelines precisely. Not following rules is the fastest path to the trash.
5. Wait. Yes, wait. Do more research and keep writing while waiting around. If the agent or publisher does not reply, follow up after a few weeks prior to moving on 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.
