You think you've written a potential best seller, and after careful correction, you think it's time to send it to a publishing house. How to fulfill this wish? With research, perseverance and patience. This article will reveal all the secrets to publishing a book!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare the Book for Publication
Step 1. Ask if you need to prepare a manuscript or proposal
Fiction writers should prepare a complete manuscript, while non-fiction writers should submit a solid proposal. Knowing what to write will save you time and allow you to understand what to bet on.
- Many fiction writers try to publish their books before completing them. If you are an experienced author and already work with an agent, you can only get a contract by providing a few chapters or a proposal. However, if this is your first time, the book must be fully written before sending it.
- If you're not into fiction, then you will initially have to come forward with a proposal. For example, if you want to write a fitness or cooking book, you should focus on the proposal, while in other cases you should submit chapters or even the complete manuscript.
- If you've been told you only need the proposal, skip to Step 6 to decide whether to hire an agent or head to a publishing house right away.
- If you want to write an academic textbook, jump straight to the last section and find out how to publish it by contacting a publishing house directly.
Step 2. Correct the book:
never underestimate this phase. Whether it is a historical novel or a thriller, the book should be in the best possible form before being sent to an agent or a publishing house. Here's how to fix it:
- Make sure it's compelling and engaging readers from the start so they always have a good reason to keep turning the page.
- Get rid of repetitions and all excesses. Many agents say they rarely accept a debut job that exceeds 100,000 words.
- Make sure you've achieved your goal and communicated your message at the end of the book.
- Make sure your thoughts are clear to both you and others. Avoid confusing the average reader. Of course you can have a target, but all members who are in it should be able to follow your flow of thoughts.
Step 3. Ask around for opinions once you have completed it
You may think the book is absolutely perfect, but in reality, it never stops improving. Ask another writer or industry professional for advice before sending it to an agent or publishing house. Before doing that, the book must be really ready:
- Ask another writer, who will surely understand better than others what works and what doesn't.
- Ask a voracious reader, who will immediately understand whether it is a future best seller or a sleep-inducing book.
- Ask an expert on the topic covered in the book, so you'll know if you've been able to talk about the topic in depth.
- Send a chapter of the book to a writing workshop, so you get more than one opinion.
- If you are taking a writing class, talk to your classmates or the teacher.
- Ask a reputable publisher for an evaluation. It can be expensive, but it will be worth it.
- Don't blame yourself for negative reviews - not everyone will like your book, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's important to get constructive criticism from people you trust, but you also need to recognize that you won't always benefit from it. Also, try to ask the right people.
Step 4. Review the book in light of criticism
You will not regret.
- The review should point you in the right direction, but ask for further advice to strengthen the manuscript.
- Once you've finished correcting it, put it away for a few weeks or even a month. Reopen it and read it again to evaluate its quality.
- Finally, make sure it's free of grammar and punctuation errors, which could make it unprofessional and less interesting.
Step 5. Format the manuscript
You can inquire about the standards of the publisher you want to send it to and read various websites for recommendations. Anyway, here are some tips:
- Always enter double spacing.
- The left and right margins should both be 2.5 cm.
- Don't use original fonts, prefer the classic Times New Roman.
-
Number the pages. The numbers should be at the top right, preceded by your last name and the title of the book.
Example: “Rossi / CIELO BIANCO / 1”
-
Enter the cover, which should include:
890272 5b1 - Name, email address, telephone number, home address. Write this information in the top left.
- The title of the novel should be capitalized and placed in the center of the page, along with your name. Example: "“CIELO BIANCO”(first line)“A book by Gianni Rossi”(second line)".
- Write the total of the words in the book at the bottom of the page. You can round up; example: "about 75,000 words".
890272 6 Step 6. Decide whether to contact an agent or go directly to a publishing house
Both options are fraught with challenges:
- The benefit of working with a publishing house is that you don't pay any commission to the agent; however, if you don't have one, it can be harder to get noticed.
- You can also try sending the book to various agents and then sending it to publishers. However, if the manuscript is rejected by many agents, it is likely that it will not even be considered by the publishing houses.
Method 2 of 3: First Method: Publish the Book with the Help of a Literary Agent
890272 7 Step 1. Do a market research to find your niche
Look for books that relate to your field or genre and try to figure out where yours might fit. Understand which titles work best and who are the big boys in your industry. If your manuscript doesn't fit into one genre, search for multiple types of books.
When the search is complete, describe your book. Is it focused on science fiction, literature or history? Is it a scientific and historical book? It is a novel? The description will help you when you get in touch with the agent
890272 8 Step 2. Search for literary agents to find the perfect one to represent you
The ideal agent can connect with your book, are enthusiastic about it and will help you correct it and sell it to a publishing house. Make sure the agent is familiar with your gender, or it will be a waste of time. How to find it?
- If you want to publish the book in Italy, visit these sites: https://www.agenteletterario.com/, https://scrittemente.com/servizi-e-contatti/lista-agenzie-letterarie/, https:// www. specchiomagico.net/agenzieletterarie.htm and
- If you write in English and want to publish the book abroad, you can read this guide to literary agents https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Literary-Agents-Chuck-Sambuchino/dp/1599632292, consult the Publisher's Marketplace (you need to pay $ 25 a month to fully access the site, but you'll get information on the best agents and their specializations; https://www.publishersmarketplace.com) and take a look at Query Tracker (it's a site that lets you find out which ones agents respond immediately and which ones do not; these statistics are reported by other writers, so the database is not complete, but they are quite useful;
- Consult the websites of the various agents as soon as you find an interesting one, so you will find out about its specialization, its rates and the other customers it represents.
- Make sure the agent accepts unsolicited book submissions.
- Watch out for scammers who pretend to be agents. No serious agent will ask you for money just to read the manuscript. If you live in the US, go to the Preditors & Editors website for the agent rating (https://pred-ed.com/pubagent.htm).
890272 9 Step 3. Write a request letter to the agent (s) of your dreams to introduce yourself and make him curious about your job (describe the story in short)
They don't always answer right away, so if you can, send several letters simultaneously and wait. Here's how to write them:
-
First paragraph: serves to present your book and your interest in the agent:
- Start with a couple of specific, original and engaging phrases.
- Add the book's genre: it can fall under several categories. In the first paragraph you should also mention his words in total.
- Explain to the agent why you chose him: does he represent various authors similar to you? Do you have a personal connection?
-
Second paragraph: used to describe the plot of the book:
- Describe what happens in the book and what themes are highlighted. The description must be accurate and engaging.
- Describe the main characters and explain why the book is important.
- You can divide the paragraph into, at most, two subparagraphs.
- Third paragraph: used to give some information about your account. Tell about any awards you've won and talk about the book's connection to your life.
- Fourth paragraph: Tell the agent that you can send him the entire manuscript or sample chapters (if you are not involved in fiction). Thank him for giving you his time.
- Follow the instructions carefully. If the agent asks for a summary or sample chapters, send them right away.
890272 10 Step 4. If your ideal agent falls in love with your book and offers you a deal, consider these steps before you celebrate:
- Talk to him on the phone or meet him in person. Try to understand his real interest in your book.
- Trust your instincts. If something tells you that the agent is too busy, too eager to end phone calls, and not very excited about your work, don't sign anything. Better to continue with the research than to rely on the wrong person.
- Ask him if you can talk to any of his clients: if he's honest, he'll be happy to give you some phone numbers to help you figure out if he's right for you.
- Check your search again. Make sure this agent is successful and has a solid client list before signing the contract.
- Read and reread the contract. If he seems honest, the agent asks you for 15% on national sales and 20% on international sales and you feel comfortable with him, go ahead and sign and… celebrate!
890272 11 Step 5. Review the book with the agent before offering it to the market
You may need to make some cuts or change it to make it more appealing to readers:
Remember that the book is still yours and you don't have to change it entirely to please the agent. The changes must be respectful towards you
890272 12 Step 6. Put it on the market by offering it to publishing houses
This part causes nervousness because the fate of the book will no longer be in your hands. Your agent will propose it to a list of trusted publishers and, if you're lucky, one of them will want to publish it!
Sign the contract including you, the agent and the publisher
890272 13 Step 7. Work with the publisher to review the book
Subsequently, other aspects concerning the actual publication will have to be decided, from the date to the cover.
But don't sit idle! There is still a lot of work to do
890272 14 Step 8. Advertise the book
You can contact an expert, create a website, use Facebook, organize informal readings or opt for word of mouth. In this way, when the book goes on sale, it will already be known.
Never stop advertising them, especially after posting. Sit on your laurels for a few days, but then remember that promotion is as important as writing
Method 3 of 3: Second Method: Publish Your Book By Contacting a Publisher Directly
890272 15 Step 1. Do a search for publishing houses
Take a look at their sites and find out how to submit the manuscript or proposal (ask if you can do it or if an agent needs to handle it). Many companies only accept jobs submitted by agents.
Choose publishers that specialize in your genre and are willing to accept the manuscript or proposal directly from you
890272 16 Step 2. Write a request letter (in the “First Method” section, you will find tips for writing it)
You will need it to introduce yourself and the book.
If the publisher is impressed by your letter, they will ask you to send the partial or full manuscript
890272 17 Step 3. If the book is accepted, sign the contract
Read it first and see if it meets your needs.
890272 18 Step 4. Review the book with the publisher before publishing it
890272 19 Step 5. Promote the book before it is published
Marketing never stops!
- Promote it by starting a blog, answering interviews and taking readings.
- Develop a Facebook page or site to advertise it.
Advice
- Do business only with serious professionals. Anyone who asks you for money to read the book is a scammer.
- As a new writer, you will often be rejected in the beginning. Don't be discouraged - remember that many great authors had a long apprenticeship before seeing the first book on the shelves. Keep writing and trying.
- Try publishing a portion of your book before taking it to an agent or publishing house, so you will gain credibility as a writer and show that your book has popular appeal.
- If you want to network with literary agents, attend writing conferences and approach the ones you find interesting. Obviously do it at the right time, don't disturb them.
- Can't find an agent or publisher willing to publish your book? You still have the option to self-publish.
