NOTE: Several aspiring authors who have found my
blog have asked me how I got published and what they need to do. I always tell
them the same things, so this one is for all aspiring writers looking for some
insight.
Dear Aspiring Author,
You’ve been writing your book for months, even years, and
you’ve just finished your manuscript. Now what?
Now you have a lot of work ahead of you. Don’t let that
discourage you though, because at the end of it, you’ll have a book to be proud
of, a lot more knowledge, thicker skin, and hopefully a published book.
When you write “THE END” at the bottom of your
manuscript, let it sit for a few weeks so you can edit it with fresh eyes.
Every book has been edited probably a dozen times or more. No book, not even
yours, is exempt from editing. Learning to edit properly takes time and
practice. You can take editing classes and read books.
Here
are some of the editing posts I’ve done that could help you:
After you’ve edited your book to the
point where you can’t possible fix it anymore and are even sick of it, give it
to someone else to read such as a teacher, family member, friend, or another
writer. If you join the blogging group Insecure
Writer’s Support Group and their Facebook critique group, you’ll find
generous people willing to help.
Once you get feedback from a couple of
people and make changes (the key is to not take anything they say personally
and to be open to what they say), it’s time to learn how to write a query
letter and synopsis to send to agents/editors. When you accomplish these
necessary evils, research which agents/editors are best for your book and send
out your material with crossed fingers.
You can
find agents and editors in these books:
Writers Market
Guide to Literary Agents
Helpful
Links:
Most writers get rejections and a ton
of them. It’s really a badge of honor. Kathryn Stockett who wrote “The Help”
was rejected 60 times and C.S. Lewis received 800 rejections before he sold a single piece of writing. You
could land an agent your first try or you may be another C.S. Lewis. So if you
get rejections, don’t take it personally. Send your material to the next one on
your list and don’t stop.
While you’re sending out queries (heck, even when you’re
writing your first book), build a following. At the same time, work on
publishing flash fiction, articles, and poetry to get publishing credentials.
Helpful
Links:
And
of course, start writing your next book. Maybe your first book won’t make it
but the second or third one you write will. If you decide to self-publish, go
for it! But research like crazy to know what you’ll need to do to not only self-publish
but market your book.
The most important thing to do while you do all of this (editing,
submitting, and writing) is to believe that you’ll get published one day. Some
of us have our days sooner than others but I believe all of us will eventually
have our day. Your belief and determination will be fuel on your journey to
publication.
Fuel up and shoot for the stars!
XOXO,
Chrys Fey
Have a writing-related question? Leave a comment and I may turn it into a post right here!
