From time to time, I’m going to run a post on the basics of looking for a publisher or agent. I frequently get emails from folks who are looking for very general, basic information—and sometimes they’ve just discovered the online writing community.
The biggest moment in my writing career came with the realization that I wanted to be published by a traditional publisher. Oddly, the big moment wasn’t when I was accepted by a traditional publisher or when I found an agent to represent me–but when I decided that was the course I wanted to take.
Here are some tips to help with your journey to publication:
Read other books in your genre before you write. I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t too far out of line with my efforts.
I’d also recommend turning to the community of blogging writers online. They’ll offer encouragement, support, industry information, and technical advice. There are many blogging writers that I link to in my sidebar that will give you a great starting point.
Get other people you trust to read your book. First readers who give truthful feedback in an encouraging way are incredibly helpful. If you don’t have any family members or friends that fit the bill, you can try online critique groups—you’ll read their work within a certain time frame and they’ll read yours. It may take some tweaking to find the right group. If you Google “online critique groups” you’ll get plenty of hits. I’d stick with a group that writes your genre.
Okay, so your manuscript is in pretty good shape. This means you’ve revised it many times. Others have read it and offered suggestions. You’ve read many books in your genre. Your manuscript doesn’t have grammatical or spelling errors.
Now it’s time to branch out. What kind of publisher fits your needs? A small press? Or something larger? If you’re interested in submitting to a smaller publisher (and there are many out there), then you can frequently submit without an agent.
You can learn publisher guidelines online at publishers’ individual websites. You can also go to your library and check their reference section for a recent edition of Literary Marketplace (which you can also get an online subscription to) or Writers Market.
Found a publisher that interests you? Go to your library or bookstore and read some of their recent releases. How does your book stack up? Do you need some more revising?
Do you need an agent in order to submit to your publisher? Try the listing of agents at Writers.net and AgentQuery.
Is the agent or publisher reputable? Check sites like Writer Beware and Preditors and Editors to make sure your choices are scrupulous. There are many folks out there who prey on writers.
Write your query for your publisher or agent submission. Check sites like Query Shark, The Rejector, Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent, and Pub Rants for advice on writing a sound query.
Write a clear synopsis of your book. It shouldn’t have teasers, but should concisely tell your story in a compelling way.
Submit your query or your cover letter and first fifty pages. Make sure you’ve addressed your letter to the right editor or agent and have spelled their name correctly. Your manuscript should be formatted to a standard template. Be careful not to use unusual fonts or colored paper or anything unprofessional.
Expect rejections. Hope for the best, but plan for setbacks. If you’re fortunate enough to receive some feedback with your rejections, consider revising your manuscript via their suggestions.
The important thing is not to let your research and work immobilize you—let your research strengthen your resolve to make your book the best it can be…and then submit it.
Good luck!
My July 6th release is less than 2 weeks away. Click here for my book release contest. Entering is easy…and you might win a $25 bookstore gift card, a signed copy of “Delicious and Suspicious,” and a “Delicious and Suspicious” tote bag. :)
This is a good list, even for those of us who been through the process before and are jumping into query world all over again. Especially that part about expecting rejection. Oh, yeah.
This is great information. I will reread this one too. Expecting rejection should be first on our list. It will happen.
Thanks, Elizabeth.
Teresa
Elizabeth – Thanks for this terrific advice! I especially like your advice to be really familiar with one’s genre/field. You can learn a lot just from reading other books published by the company you want to represent you. I think it’s also really useful to spend time carefully looking at publishers’ and agents’ websites. What do they say? What do they ask for? Does it all sound like a fit?
Great list Elizabeth. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated :)
good reminders Elizabeth! I’m trying not to think too far ahead on this one but I already have an agent in mind – she was the one who suggested my writing needed to be stronger and now I think it is so I may try her again…
Great advice, Elizabeth!
I also can not wait for your book to come out! I’ve already ordered it for Kindle. Perhaps after I finish it, can I ask you some questions for my review?
CD
Excellent advice and links. And, I think, checking online is often better than in a print book. Things change and you can get the most up-to-date info online.
Today’s post is just one of many examples why I gave you an award today, Elizabeth.
http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/2010/06/support-those-who-support-you.html
I’m not sure I agree with the “read in your genre” advice. Not completely, at any rate.
I’d agree that for genres in which a certain mode of writing is expected, that can be an asset. But I just started a UF MS, and I’m actually not intending to read any UF while I’m on it. I don’t want to be influenced by the genre tropes. I’d rather come to it fresh and see what I can make of it.
Once I’m done the draft, will I read in the genre to see what’s comparable? Sure. But not till then. I don’t want to bias my writing/voice with someone else’s ideas.
Great list of things for people to watch out for and know…Finding the right publisher is a daunting task! But being prepared for rejection and the long road is probably the best advice you can give.
TWO WEEKS till release? How exciting! If you’re throwing a book party around somewhere I would make the trip! I’m ready to pre-order…
Michele
Southern City Mysteries
Excellent tips and resources.
And only send what the publisher or agent wants – if they don’t want 50 pages, don’t send! Know the difference between an outline and a synopsis, too.
Excellent tips and resources.
Elizabeth, it’s nice to hear another author tell people to determine publishing path before or during writing phase! I tell that to those who attend my seminars all the time.
A great list. I’m right on track. I think… :)
This is a great list for where to start and the things to keep in mind! I’m going to share it for the BuNo folks, as some portion of them maybe are just at the ‘write the book’ part–and being THERE, you think that is all you really need to do!
*remembers naive state of mind*
Patricia–I think, sad to say, that I’ve gotten so I *expect* rejection or negative reviews so I can be pleasantly surprised when something good comes along. Bleh. Not a good way to be, but easier to keep from getting hurt.
Journaling Woman–Thanks for coming by, Teresa!
Jan –I think that’s a good idea. If she gave you real feedback, she’s the natural one to start the process with.
Margot–And the nice thing is that there’s SO much information available online now…for free!
Clarissa–I’d love to answer some questions. :) Just shoot me an email. And thanks so much for the download!
Helen–Thanks! I’m popping over, Helen. And you’re so right…editors and agents change houses and agencies a lot.
Simon–That’s a very good point, and I’ll agree that I follow your system–when I’m writing a manuscript, I try NOT to read cozies because I don’t want to subconsciously be influenced by what I’m reading. It’s then that I’ll read a different subgenre of mystery–usually police procedural. I think I should have said that to write a particular genre, a writer need to be familiar with the particular parameters of that genre..by reading it. But that should probably take place BEFORE you start writing your manuscript. Wow, what a garbled mess this comment of mine is. Long day!
Alex–Thanks! And you’ve brought up a good point–if they’ve said 50 pages, don’t send more. They don’t want it!
Jemi–Thanks for coming by!
Diane–I’d love to go to one of your seminars. :) Let me know if you’re in the Charlotte area some time.
Michele–Ahh. Yes, I SHOULD throw a book release party. :) Parties are just rough on me. Maybe book 2 of Memphis?
Bluestocking–I have a feeling you definitely are!
Hart–Writing the book is definitely important, but it’s always good to think ahead!
Excellent advice. I think expecting rejection is so important. I’ve talked to other writers who are afraid to submit for fear of rejection and I worry for them because I think it could stand in the way of their ultimate success. I’ve never had that fear because I think I’ve always known that rejection was just a part of the business.
Thanks for the excellent advice.
Thanks for all these tips, Elizabeth!
Perhaps the most important one for me is ‘expect to be rejected.’ Will do! :-)
– Corra
The Victorian Heroine
Thanks for the list. The link to Nathan’s ms layout was particularly useful.
Query letter and synopsis are my next hurdle.