How and Where to Get Your Novel Published

 

First, write your novel. Let the words and ideas flow through to completion.

Second, forget your novel for at least a month. Work on other things.

Third, put on your editor’s eyes and reread your work. Consider: is your book too short? Usually, 60,000 words is novel length. Is your novel the length of WAR AND PEACE? Publishers aren’t looking for one volume epics either. 

When I finish writing a piece, I always think it’s great. When I read it with fresh eyes, I’m amazed to find mistakes. I don’t mean grammar or spelling since I was an English teacher for many years. I mean things like telling instead of showing or using too many adjectives or adverbs or exclamation points. These are mistakes that will mark you as an amateur. 

All right, let’s assume you’ve finished your novel and you believe it’s to die for, with fully developed characters and a unique plot. You’ve written a solid synopsis and query letter.

Where to from here?

Time to check out one of two things:  literary agents and/or publishers who accept novels like yours with no agent. Do your research. 

You can do a lot of this online. Also, use publications such as WRITER’S MARKET or THE WRITER’S HANDBOOK. You can read them at your local library or buy your own.

You can also join writers’ organizations. You’ll get help and you won’t be alone. You can attend conferences which will provide further entrée.

Is it easy to get a novel published?  Not particularly. But you can very likely get a start with e-books if you’re a beginner. Personally, I believe you should aim higher. I am not a fan of self-publishing unless you are willing to invest a lot of money, time and effort into internet publicity. I also believe you should avoid vanity presses. You should never pay to have your work published. Money must flow to the author not from him/her.

Many agents are looking for new writers who offer a fresh perspective. Why can’t that be you? Also, some publishers are still open to submission from new writers who don’t have agents. Check them out as well. Investigate that they are legitimate and not scammers. Then send out your query letters.

To get you started, check out:

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity (publishedtodeath.blogspot.com)

This site is excellent for providing current information from agents and publishers. You need to see which of them will be a good fit for your work. For example, if you write adult romance, you shouldn’t query a children’s books publisher since that would be a waste of time and effort.

My latest novel, my 21^st from a reputable publisher, is a combination of mystery and history. HEART OF WISDOM was published by Level Best Books—which does not require agent submission: 

Give it your best shot, and don’t get discouraged by rejections. We all get them! As for me, I’m working on a new novel

Best of luck with your writing!