Welcome to 2013 and all the publishing success that it contains. If you’re an as-yet unpublished author and want to be picked up by an agent or publisher, can I suggest that you make today – the first day of the year – the day you resolve to cut through all resistance (your own self-sabotage and whatever is external that’s stopping you achieving your writing goals) and GET PUBLISHED. Then you can have an awesome book launch with your friends!
90% of the process will be you deciding that publication really is what you want from life (as opposed to sitting around watching reruns of Friends) and then intending to achieve it.
Once you’ve decided that you WILL be published, there are simple steps you can take to get you there:
- Write a novel in draft and type The End.
- Edit the novel to the best of your ability – first structurally, then copy editing (grammar, spelling etc).
- Get critique from a crit-partner or writing group and edit again.
- Pay for a manuscript assessment and edit again.
- Get a crit partner or writing group to check your finished copy for typos.
- Submit your polished manuscript in the correct industry formatting to US writing competitions or Australian writing competitions (purchase the Australian Writers Marketplace for a list) or manuscript development programs with publishers or publishers slush piles or agents (if you want one).
- When/if you get rejected, submit to someone else. Have a list and work down the list. Be quietly confident about your work, but not boastful. Believe in it, and believe in yourself.
- Email me (as many of my clients have) when you get a writing contract so I can cyber-celebrate with you!
It might sound like a simple list – too simple – but the honest truth is that 95% of people I talk to about writing never even finish step one! Agents and editors have told me that 80% of people who pitch to them at conferences and who are then invited to submit their novel, never do! Can you imagine that? An editor of a big publishing house says “That sounds like an interesting idea. I’d like to see that manuscript,” and the writer goes home and does nothing about it. Crazy! But true. Self sabotage.
Have a writer friend keep you on track. Work through the list: write, edit, submit. If you work hard and have talent, it’s easier than you might think because so many people don’t take the necessary steps.
And if you’ve got any questions along the way, email me. I’d be happy to offer advice.
Good luck! (but remember, that luck is the meeting of preparation and opportunity – be prepared for your opportunity when it comes along. Make your own luck!
Louise — I do believe you have been visited by a Spirit Guide to let me know the final stages after typing The End…. I will copy and paste this list and print it out and put one copy on the fridge door, another copy on wardrobe door and the other on inside front cover of Work In Progress folder and every time I turn my head I will be guided to get on with it; a final structure and possibilities to publishing awaits. Thank you Louise.
I’m very happy to have been used to send you the message 🙂 Getting published is completely do-able. I’m so pleased you’re on the path!
I’m writing this comment because I am shocked 80% don’t send, why!!!! . It should be every writer’s dream . Crazy people ! . That’s my rant and thank you for the information.
I ranted too, Reece. Hard to believe writers can shoot themselves in the foot like that. I think it’s self-doubt.
Louise, I agree on the self-doubt as the reason people do not go one step beyond where others stop. Yesterday, at 1pm I achieved my first milestone and went beyond; I typed in the words – The End. I have downloaded as a PDF the draft onto Kindle and immediately saw why it is only the First Draft. As it is 37,000 words I do not know what category, Novel or Novella, it falls into. I have experienced highs before as a Professional Visual Artist but the high from doing this yesterday was ecstatic and wine and antipasto with cheese became the food for the rest of the day and night. I ticked the first line and put the date on it. Next – editing and doing the Second Draft. Russell Island has been very good for me to achieve all this. I do not think it would have happened except for the location I live. — Just to let you know the progress — and thanks to the QWC as well– dkr.
Awesome news! I’m so thrilled. It’s such a feeling of achievement to type The End. I’m so glad you celebrated.
And now to the editing…