How to Become a Published Author; from Idea to Bookshelf
Read., Write., Brainstorm., Figure out your writing process., Re-read your manuscript., Decide how you want to publish your book., Decide whether or not you want to get an agent., Research what sort of genre your prospective agents/editors generally...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Write.
There is absolutely nothing better you can do than read as much as humanely possible.
Read the classics.
Read really bad books.
Read really good books.
Start to look at an author's style, and figure out what you like about the plot, or the characters, and how the author sets that up.
Read every single possible title you can that sounds similar to your idea, or in the genre that you're interested in.
Read the reviews for them.
Figure out what people like reading, and what you like reading.
Become aware of all the similar stories so that you don't end up plagiarizing or even worse, unintentionally coming up with something that's already been done before, because an editor won't sell it. -
Step 2: Brainstorm.
Don't start your book straight away--just write.
There are places online, fanfiction.net, fictionpress.net, livejournal.com--so many places where one can polish his or her writing skills.
Scott Westerfeld, author of the "Uglies, Pretties, Specials" series, once said, "Your first million words will be 'crap'." Find a website that is created for users to post their writings and simply write.
Use the feedback to become more aware of your style, and become a better writer.
Write at least one million words. , When you're finally ready to move on to the book part, figure out what you want to do.
What genre are you writing in? You should be familiar with this genre from your reading, but this is the part where you hatch the premise for your novel.
Does it sound like something you would read? Has this idea ever been done before? Does it sound too familiar to something you've seen or heard? Is it too confusing, or does it have too many plot holes? If you're writing nonfiction, you won't necessarily have to write the entire book, merely outline it and write the first three chapters, so you can skip the next step.
If you're writing fiction, continue. , What is the most important thing to you? Character? Plot? Map out your plot if you want to.
Develop your characters.
Create an outline for the entire book.
Maybe you work better writing vivid scenes you see in your head, then connecting the dots in between.
However, and this is absolutely vital, finish your manuscript.
Millions of people out there are "writing a book that they would finish if they just had the time." What makes you different? The fact that you finished it. , Edit it.
Edit it again.
Get outside opinions.
Edit even more.
You cannot expect an agent or editor from a publishing company to polish your manuscript up, because they're not going to look at it unless it is amazing.
Go through it until you can barely stand the story anymore and MAKE it amazing. , Are you just doing this for a few family and friends, or do you see this as the next Harry Potter, the next Twilight, the next Hunger Games? If you decide to self-publish, realize that you probably will never be recognized as an author by anyone except family and friends and perhaps a few local bookstores, but your book will be in print.
You will also have to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 USD to produce these books. (These self-publishing companies are sometimes knows and "vanity publishers" and if you wish to figure out which companies are such it is as simple as googling their name then "vanity").
On the other hand, getting your book accepted by a major publishing company takes a lot of work, a lot of research, and a lot of luck.
Well, what are you waiting for? Continue on! , On the one hand, an agent will take 15% of your royalties (what you make on the book).
On the other hand, 4 out of 5 books published have an agent behind them.
Authors with agents generally get larger advances than authors without agents. , An editor/agent who is famous for his or her work in romance novels won't care about your murder mystery, no matter how good it is.
Also, beware of scams.
An agent should never ask you for a fee; they make 15% of what you make when the book is sold, which becomes a very good incentive to get it sold.
Check out the Literary Marketplace for an updated list of editors and agents. , This should include proof that you've researched (I'm looking for an agent/editor, and I know that you often work in the romance genre.
I've written a book...") Your query letter should cover the mere skeleton/premise of what your book is about, and mention your writing credentials/ past publications.
If you don't have any, don't worry, and it is better to say nothing than vanity/self publishing companies you've published from.
If you've worked at all in the literary business, mention it here.
Do not mention any publishing companies that have turned you down.
Research online and read examples of query letters.
You send publishing companies a query letter and your manuscript together. , Your agent might offer some edits, then they will find you a publisher and help you negotiate a contract.
It's their job to be a good in-between and get everything settled.
Once a book is sold to a publisher, you will probably do a final edit of the manuscript, then the publisher takes care of marketing and perhaps you'll have a bit of say in cover art.
Anywhere between one and two years later, your book will be released. , Send your manuscript along with a self-addressed and stamped postcard so that they can reply easily.
If you haven't heard after three months, submit to another agency.
Be sure to mention in your query letter that you will submit to other agencies after a certain period of time. , Voila! Your book is published.
Now that you've gotten one book published, especially if it's popular, your next will be far easier.
So go on, what are you waiting for? Write! -
Step 3: Figure out your writing process.
-
Step 4: Re-read your manuscript.
-
Step 5: Decide how you want to publish your book.
-
Step 6: Decide whether or not you want to get an agent.
-
Step 7: Research what sort of genre your prospective agents/editors generally read.
-
Step 8: Write a query letter.
-
Step 9: If you've gotten a good agent
-
Step 10: you're done.
-
Step 11: If you're doing this without an agent
-
Step 12: you need to research which publishing companies accept unsolicited manuscripts.
-
Step 13: Negotiate with your publishing company
-
Step 14: do some final edits
-
Step 15: agree on cover artwork
-
Step 16: and give it a year or two.
Detailed Guide
There is absolutely nothing better you can do than read as much as humanely possible.
Read the classics.
Read really bad books.
Read really good books.
Start to look at an author's style, and figure out what you like about the plot, or the characters, and how the author sets that up.
Read every single possible title you can that sounds similar to your idea, or in the genre that you're interested in.
Read the reviews for them.
Figure out what people like reading, and what you like reading.
Become aware of all the similar stories so that you don't end up plagiarizing or even worse, unintentionally coming up with something that's already been done before, because an editor won't sell it.
Don't start your book straight away--just write.
There are places online, fanfiction.net, fictionpress.net, livejournal.com--so many places where one can polish his or her writing skills.
Scott Westerfeld, author of the "Uglies, Pretties, Specials" series, once said, "Your first million words will be 'crap'." Find a website that is created for users to post their writings and simply write.
Use the feedback to become more aware of your style, and become a better writer.
Write at least one million words. , When you're finally ready to move on to the book part, figure out what you want to do.
What genre are you writing in? You should be familiar with this genre from your reading, but this is the part where you hatch the premise for your novel.
Does it sound like something you would read? Has this idea ever been done before? Does it sound too familiar to something you've seen or heard? Is it too confusing, or does it have too many plot holes? If you're writing nonfiction, you won't necessarily have to write the entire book, merely outline it and write the first three chapters, so you can skip the next step.
If you're writing fiction, continue. , What is the most important thing to you? Character? Plot? Map out your plot if you want to.
Develop your characters.
Create an outline for the entire book.
Maybe you work better writing vivid scenes you see in your head, then connecting the dots in between.
However, and this is absolutely vital, finish your manuscript.
Millions of people out there are "writing a book that they would finish if they just had the time." What makes you different? The fact that you finished it. , Edit it.
Edit it again.
Get outside opinions.
Edit even more.
You cannot expect an agent or editor from a publishing company to polish your manuscript up, because they're not going to look at it unless it is amazing.
Go through it until you can barely stand the story anymore and MAKE it amazing. , Are you just doing this for a few family and friends, or do you see this as the next Harry Potter, the next Twilight, the next Hunger Games? If you decide to self-publish, realize that you probably will never be recognized as an author by anyone except family and friends and perhaps a few local bookstores, but your book will be in print.
You will also have to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 USD to produce these books. (These self-publishing companies are sometimes knows and "vanity publishers" and if you wish to figure out which companies are such it is as simple as googling their name then "vanity").
On the other hand, getting your book accepted by a major publishing company takes a lot of work, a lot of research, and a lot of luck.
Well, what are you waiting for? Continue on! , On the one hand, an agent will take 15% of your royalties (what you make on the book).
On the other hand, 4 out of 5 books published have an agent behind them.
Authors with agents generally get larger advances than authors without agents. , An editor/agent who is famous for his or her work in romance novels won't care about your murder mystery, no matter how good it is.
Also, beware of scams.
An agent should never ask you for a fee; they make 15% of what you make when the book is sold, which becomes a very good incentive to get it sold.
Check out the Literary Marketplace for an updated list of editors and agents. , This should include proof that you've researched (I'm looking for an agent/editor, and I know that you often work in the romance genre.
I've written a book...") Your query letter should cover the mere skeleton/premise of what your book is about, and mention your writing credentials/ past publications.
If you don't have any, don't worry, and it is better to say nothing than vanity/self publishing companies you've published from.
If you've worked at all in the literary business, mention it here.
Do not mention any publishing companies that have turned you down.
Research online and read examples of query letters.
You send publishing companies a query letter and your manuscript together. , Your agent might offer some edits, then they will find you a publisher and help you negotiate a contract.
It's their job to be a good in-between and get everything settled.
Once a book is sold to a publisher, you will probably do a final edit of the manuscript, then the publisher takes care of marketing and perhaps you'll have a bit of say in cover art.
Anywhere between one and two years later, your book will be released. , Send your manuscript along with a self-addressed and stamped postcard so that they can reply easily.
If you haven't heard after three months, submit to another agency.
Be sure to mention in your query letter that you will submit to other agencies after a certain period of time. , Voila! Your book is published.
Now that you've gotten one book published, especially if it's popular, your next will be far easier.
So go on, what are you waiting for? Write!
About the Author
Elizabeth Thomas
A passionate writer with expertise in crafts topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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