The journey to becoming a published author can be a long one. It can also be frustrating – understandably you want your writing to be read and enjoyed by people, and if you’re struggling to get to the next stage in finding an agent, or waiting for editors to get back to you, its tough.
The good news is that, in between, there are lots of ways to get your writing noticed (which often helps to get it more squarely on the radar of agents and editors too). From awards and competitions to literary journals and your social media profile, here are some ways to get your work into the hands of readers.
Getting published is an exciting milestone for any writer. Seeing your name in print and sharing your creative work with readers is incredibly rewarding. However the path to publication can seem long and daunting especially for first-time authors.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the process step-by-step to help you get your writing published – whether it’s a book short story poem, essay or article.
Choose Your Genre
The first step is deciding what genre or category you want to write in. This could include:
- Fiction (romance, mystery, sci-fi, etc)
- Literary fiction
- Non-fiction (memoir, self-help, business, etc)
- Poetry
- Short stories/essays
- Articles (for magazines, newspapers, blogs)
Your genre will determine the right publishers to query and the expectations around word count, content, and style. Do some reading in your chosen genre to get very familiar with common tropes, themes, and conventions.
Develop Your Idea and Voice
Once you’ve selected a genre, spend time fleshing out your story idea or non-fiction concept. Outline the themes, characters, plot points, or key information you want to convey.
Then start writing! Drafting the full manuscript allows you to find your unique voice and style. Don’t worry about perfection at this stage – just get the ideas flowing.
Take your time with the creative process and go through multiple rounds of editing. Share drafts with trusted friends or a writing group to get constructive feedback. Use this to refine the manuscript and make it the best it can be.
Research Literary Agents
For books, your next step is identifying literary agents who represent your genre and are open to new authors. Agents act as liaisons between writers and publishers.
Thoroughly research agents and their interests before querying. Places to look include:
- Agent and publisher websites
- QueryTracker and AgentQuery databases
- Publishers Marketplace deals database
- Agent promotion on Twitter using #MSWL (Manuscript Wish List)
- Acknowledgements pages in similar books
Make a list of agents accepting queries who seem like a good fit. Follow their exact submission guidelines.
Prepare Your Query Letter and Manuscript
Agents require a query letter introducing you and your work, often with the first few manuscript pages included.
Your query should concisely summarize your premise and credentials. Show your enthusiasm and knowledge of the genre. Mention any relevant professional experience or writing credentials.
Polish your manuscript through multiple drafts and edits prior to querying. Make sure the formatting and style are professional.
Follow each agent’s requested materials and formatting precisely. A well-crafted query gives you the best shot at representation.
Query Widely and Persistently
Only a small fraction of manuscripts are accepted by the first agent queried. Expect lots of rejection along the way – it’s very common, even for successful authors!
To maximize your chances, query a wide range of suitable agents, not just one or two. Use rejection as motivation to keep improving your query and manuscript.
Building relationships takes persistence. Follow up politely if you don’t hear back from an agent after the stated response time. Fight the urge to get discouraged.
Thick skin and tenacity are key traits for aspiring authors throughout the publication process.
Sign with a Literary Agent
If an agent offers you representation, congratulations! Be sure to thoroughly understand the agent’s role and what they expect from you as a client before signing.
A good agent will help you edit the manuscript, guide your writing career, negotiate contracts with publishers, promote your work, and handle publicity.
In return, you’ll pay the agent commission on any advance and royalties from publishers – usually 15% for books. This partnership is well worth the investment for all the support.
Work with Your Agent to Get a Book Deal
Once you have an agent, they’ll start pitching your manuscript to acquisitions editors at publishing houses. Based on the editor’s feedback, you may go through more rewrites.
Your agent will negotiate the best possible book deal for you including:
- The size of your advance and royalty percentage
- Print run and marketing/publicity commitments
- Format (hardcover, paperback, ebook)
- Publication date and delivery timeline
- Territories and rights
With good representation, you’ll get the strongest contract and financial terms. Trust their expertise in the complex publishing world.
Publish Shorter Pieces
While you’re writing your book, aim to publish shorter pieces like articles, essays, short stories, and poems as well. This builds your reputation and credibility with publishers.
Research publications that accept submissions in your genre. Follow their guidelines closely and customize pitches to different editor needs.
Online publications, literary journals, and magazines are often more open to new writers. Build your portfolio with any acceptances along the way.
Develop a Consistent Writing Routine
To maximize output and efficiency, establish a regular writing schedule that fits your creative process. Dedicate certain hours each day or week solely to writing.
Many authors recommend starting early when you have the most energy and few distractions. Even writing for 1-2 hours daily can add up over weeks and months.
Set goals for word count or writing sessions to stay on track. Use apps to track metrics and motivate you to beat personal records.
Join a Writers Community
Connecting with other authors provides invaluable support on your publishing journey. Local writing groups offer critiques, inspiration, contacts and networking opportunities.
Attend writers conferences to gain insider advice from agents, editors and published authors in your field. These events often provide pitch sessions.
Masterclasses, workshops and online communities further allow you to learn from successful writers while making writer friends.
Stay Persistent and Keep Writing
Ultimately, publishing takes patience and perseverance. Focus on polishing your craft through constant practice. Strive to write a little bit every single day.
View rejections and critical feedback as helpful input rather than personal attacks. Let it motivate you to improve, not discourage you.
By steadily honing your writing skills and building industry connections, you’ll inch closer to publication over time. With dedication to the process, you can achieve your dream of becoming a published author.
Writing prizes and opportunities
A programme we run at Penguin Random House for unpublished writers is WriteNow – an editorial programme which aims to find, nurture and publish new writers from communities under-represented on the nations bookshelves. Taking place every other year, WriteNow partners 10-15 new authors with editors across publishing houses to be mentored through the publishing process. 13 writers have been published or acquired by Penguin Random House imprints through the programme.
Being published in literary magazines
Entering your work into literary journals or creative writing magazines is a great way for you to get your work out there both digitally and in print, and also make connections across a network of other writers. Jannat Ahmed runs Lucent Dreaming, an independent magazine published biannually for ‘beautiful and surreal fiction, poetry and art for new and emerging authors/artists’. Based in Cardiff, she launched it to establish a base in Wales where creatives could celebrate one other and get noticed.
“I’d always been interested in publishing but been too scared to publish my own work, and I wanted to appeal to people who were like me in the sense that I’d written a lot, but it was very daunting to submit something. Getting rejections and not knowing why is so difficult, so we made a point right at the beginning to give feedback on all the submissions we receive. I want to decrease that fear and show people that they have a talent; they’ve worked at something, and to also recognise the strength it takes to submit.”
Not only is it great exposure, submitting to a literary magazine also gives you experience of the publishing process. “Magazines make sure you put out your best work”, says Jannat, “It’s not just you publishing alone, we have editors to help improve that piece of writing. The more people you have on your team offering you critique when you need it, the better your work is going to be.”
Tips for submitting to a literary journal are very similar to that of sending a manuscript to an agent – do your research. “Always familiarise yourself fully with the publication to make sure you’re a good fit, and also follow the submission guidelines – it sounds simple but it makes it easier for editors to read, collaborate and edit your work.”
Because literary magazines can publish a whole array of different genres and types of writing, you can really find your niche. “I just know how important and nice it is to be recognised for your work, and how rarely that can happen.”
How to Get Published by a Big Five House | Traditional Book Publishing Process
How do you get a book published?
• Create a press release (if your publisher doesn’t do this, do it yourself) • Make a list of your local media. Set up a press conference for your release and have it double as book signing. Invite everybody. • Make a list of local bookstores, gift shops, libraries that might carry your book. Send the press release. Follow up with a phone call.
Can a first-time author get a book published?
For first-time authors, learning how to get a book published can be as daunting as writing an actual book. However, as the book publishing industry shifts toward digital publishing options in addition to traditional publishing, first-time novelists have increased opportunities to get published.
How does the publishing process work?
Here’s how the publishing process works. Idea. All books start with an idea. This may come from you, your agent or a publisher. Acquisition. The book acquisition, or commissioning process, is how a new book gets signed up by a publishing company – usually by a commissioning editor. If you write fiction, you’ll need an agent. Design.
