Do you want to become a published author? If so, you may be wondering what to do to achieve your goal. Publishing a book is a process, so there are multiple steps to take. However, some are much more important than others. The first and most important step is writing—and completing—your manuscript.
Finish your manuscript
Finishing your manuscript may seem like an obvious task. However, many writers do not become published for this very reason. Some writers procrastinate, while others do not finish because they believe their work is not good enough. Writing quality fiction or nonfiction is challenging and takes time. However, perseverance is key to becoming a published author.
Also, don't rush through the process and make the mistake of assuming that “any book will do.” Write with the aim of producing quality work that you will be proud of and that readers will enjoy. Join a writing community if you have questions or need encouragement.
Proofread your manuscript
Some writers want to publish their work after they write the last word of their manuscript. It's not time to publish; it's time to proofread and work on revisions. Carefully review your work for grammar errors and typos. Also, consider the organization of the story and ask yourself:
• Does it flow?
• Is it coherent?
• Should I rearrange paragraphs?
• Are there any storyline changes I need to make?
After proofreading your book, proofread it again, and one more time for safe measure.
It’s a good idea to use the services of a professional proofreader or editor who can review your work, note any errors, make corrections, and provide feedback. Having someone who is not as invested in your work is beneficial—even though you may not appreciate the comments and changes that professionals offer.
Do you need a literary agent?
Another step is deciding whether you want to use the services of a literary agent. A good percentage of well-known publishers only work with authors who have professional literary agents in their corner. Publishers trust agents to recommend promising books. Also, agents know which publisher may be interested in your work.
If you want to work with a literary agent, check out their fees, read client testimonials, and their success rate. One way to determine an agent’s success rate is to check the agent’s profile on Publishers Marketplace, an industry news website for authors, agents, editors, and publishers. This website helps authors connect with agents and editors. In addition, Publishers Marketplace allows authors to view the books that agents have sold to publishers, the publishers they work with, and the advances their clients have received.
Some traditional publishers allow writers to submit their work without an agent during certain times of the year. These publishers have rules, restrictions, and deadlines. Be sure to read the instructions before submitting your work.
Is self-publishing an option?
Self-publishing is an alternative to publishing your work with a traditional publisher. You will need to search for reliable self-publishing companies. Before sending your manuscript, it pays to research self-publishing companies and the services that they offer. Purchase a writer’s guide or book, such as Writer’s Market: The Most Trusted Guide To Getting Published. You can also find similar information online.
If you want a dependable self-publishing company, consider MaketingNewAuthors.com (MANA), which has been helping authors publish their works for over two decades. MANA offers a variety of services to authors and tailors the publishing costs to meet their budget.
If you want to become a published author, following these steps—and conducting your own research—will help start you on your way.
For more information about MarketingNewAuthors.com, call 734-975-0028 or email: info@marketingnewauthors.com
