SO YOU’VE WRITTEN A NOVEL...WHAT’S NEXT?
By, Seek, Write, Earn
After you have polished it to high sheen, you should submit to an editor and/or Beta readers (these are folks who read your work for you, to let you know if there are any snags, readability, any glaring errors) This should be done before you start the next step. If you have already done this GREAT, you are ready for the next step.
Two Options:
Independent Publishing, this is where you do ALL the legwork. It is not for everyone, but if you master the steps, then you can do well with it. I won’t go into the steps on how to do this, because quite frankly, I have not done this yet.
I will say, this is where you format your manuscript to upload to booksellers like Amazon, CreateSpace, Lulu, and various other formats.
You would also do all the marketing (release parties, bling, interviews etc.) You will also be able to have control over publishing electronically and/or print copies.
Second Option. Traditional Publishing.
This is where you submit your manuscript (actually basically a query letter with 1 or 2 chapters, depending on what publisher you send it to). A lot of publishers will only accept submissions of “Agented work.” This is where you get an agent first. There are those who do accept unagented work, but having an agent can be a blessing.
When you want to go the Traditional route, you need to write a query letter, and have sample chapters ready. A Query is basically a brief (one page if possible), letter of introduction; basically an introduction to yourself and the story. Basically a brief synopsis will do. Then you add a bio (including previous publishing credits).
HOWEVER: BEFORE YOU SEND TO ANY PUBLISHER!!!
You must read the publisher’s (submission or writers) guidelines thoroughly. If you do not follow them, this is pretty much the kiss of death. A lot of publisher’s take that as a sign of an amateur, and being unprofessional. It’s very important to pay attention to these details. It can me the difference from the slush/trash pile to publication.
Google “Query Letters” for some good examples of those. Remember, you only have one chance to make a good impression!
The last thing with publishing traditionally, most publishers may not accept what are called “Simultaneous submissions.” This is sending it to more than one publisher at a time. Most do not allow this, so if you do find one who does, you should make sure that you tell them in your query that you have submitted it elsewhere. Then if you do hear from the one, and they reject it, you are good to go if the 2nd accepts it. If the first does accept, you must notify the other that the first has accepted it. You basically tell them that you are withdrawing it from submission.
Finding Resources and Opportunities.
There are a couple that I recommend.
- Writer’s Market “yearly” this one is put out by Writers Digest Books. It’s a yearly compendium of all things publishing. They do verify the ones they put in there, so you should be safe in using them. They are very cool with other goodies, like how to set prices, and have tons of articles. I get the current ones at my local library, they also put out Novel and Short Story Market, Christian Writers, Children’s, Agents, etc. They have an online presence as well, which includes a submission tracker.
- Freedom With Writing They are for online and short story/anthology opportunities. They have a newsletter which you could subscribe to.
About the Authors:
L. Anne Wooley comes from the US in the state of Ohio. She has been published in several online ezines (With Painted Words, InGenre), she has also been in the charity anthology Lupus Animus (in which she wrote a story entirely in Haiku), More recently, she was published in “The Fandom Universe” relating her memories of the first Star Wars movie.
She also hosts a blog for all things writerly. She can be found at:
Blogger:
http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/
Blogger:
http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/LAnneWooleyAuthor/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/velvetdelenn
Adrienne Devine:
Author AM Devine is an indie author located in West Tennessee. She's been writing for something along the
lines of 20 years. While this has mostly been for herself, she has always held tight to the dream of
becoming a published author. (CONTINUED)
She writes in the genres of Sci-Fi and Fantasy mostly, with the occassional trip into Paranormal or Romance.
AM Devine writes under three names, those being: AM Devine, Athena Devine, and Minerva Devine. AM Devine
is where you will find the largest collection of stories right now, it being her Sci-Fi pen name. Athena Devine
is the name under which she will be releasing her fantasy works, and Minerva Devine is the name under which
she hopes to release a few urban paranormals.
lines of 20 years. While this has mostly been for herself, she has always held tight to the dream of
becoming a published author. (CONTINUED)
She writes in the genres of Sci-Fi and Fantasy mostly, with the occassional trip into Paranormal or Romance.
AM Devine writes under three names, those being: AM Devine, Athena Devine, and Minerva Devine. AM Devine
is where you will find the largest collection of stories right now, it being her Sci-Fi pen name. Athena Devine
is the name under which she will be releasing her fantasy works, and Minerva Devine is the name under which
she hopes to release a few urban paranormals.
Website:
Facebook
Twitter:
Matthew Weedon:
Matthew A. Weeden is a freelance writer working from his cramped apartment in Denver, Colorado. He is a lucky husband, and adoring father, and a passionate creative. Most of his work has been in small stage theater productions, video games, freelance contract work, and screenwriting.
Facebook:
Matthew is head writer on this site:
http://avalongamesllc.com/
