So you’ve done the work, you’ve written those beautifully elusive words “The End”, or the equivalent, and now you need to get your work out into the world. A writer’s job involves more than just writing, especially when starting out. This is the part of the process where you put the pen down and pick up the phone. To find a publisher, you will need to strategize, compartmentalise and polish your proverbial boots. There is a lot of ground to cover.
It is tempting to use a scattergun approach and fire off your manuscript to every agent in your Writers & Artists yearbook, but this would be the first mistake on your road to getting published. Treat this part of your writing journey as a job. Devote time to researching relevant agents, publishers and their criteria. Some submission guidelines involve a lengthy synopsis and sample chapters, others request a short synopsis and the first 10,000 words. Also ensure they are open to receiving manuscripts. Many publishing houses have specific timeframes for submission. Read each application carefully and don’t rush into it. This is the publishing house’s first impression of your work, make it count.
You may choose to self publish which will give you complete control over your work. It also means you need to cover all your own costs, but you also receive all the rewards. But, when starting out, there is much that can be learned from experienced publishers, editors and agents. An established publisher will have a well-oiled publishing machine with all the advantages of sophisticated marketing, distribution and sales departments, not to mention their reputation and connections.
Weigh up your pros and cons and choose wisely.
When researching agents and publishers, begin by defining the genre of your story and find out who is representing similar writers. Some writers struggle to narrow their work down to one genre but a publisher will always need to know what shelf your book will sit upon in a bookshop. Then see who is open to receiving new work and who expects exclusivity. Some agents will insist that you do not contact other agencies until they have come back to you. Resist the urge to ignore this caveat, it is an industry where people know each other. Be patient and be selective.
Before sending any of your work to a publisher or agent or indeed, to a printer or digital platform to self publish, make sure your manuscript is in the best shape it can possibly be! Revise, rewrite, read and share it with friends, family or a writing group. Receiving feedback can give you a more objective view of your work and can help you see pros and cons you may not have noticed. If you are going to self publish, hire a professional editor. This is a vital step in fine tuning your work but make sure to research your editor. They need to be reputable and experienced in your genre.
There will be rejections and there will be harsh criticism. Writers need a thick skin but also need to develop an ability to know when to take advice on board, and when to say no. It is important to set aside your ego and openly listen to critique, especially from professionals, but sometimes, you may need to fight your corner. This is where some self examination will need to come into play. Ask yourself honest questions about your feelings and about the work.
It is worth looking into some self promotion and if you decide to follow this path, it needs to be carefully managed and maintained. This includes social media, websites, mailing lists, and any other channels you use to connect with readers and industry professionals. A strong platform can enhance your credibility and make you more attractive to publishers. Many writers feel awkward and protective of their work but successful authors will always recommend mixing and sharing with other writers. It will not only enhance your own work, but can lead to great networking opportunities and relationships.
It is almost as difficult to break into the world of publishing as it is to write a book, but with the right mindset, a lot of resilience, persistence and perseverance, it can happen!
Focus on your manuscript and then research your options. All writers had to start somewhere.
If you are interested in learning about pursuing a career as a professional writer, have a look at our website where we have a selection of creative writing courses to suit all levels of interest. Whether you are an occasional diarist or you have reams of stories, scripts, poems or just scribbles, we have a course for you.