How to Sell Your Novel

Conventional wisdom holds that you have only a couple minutes to convince an editor that your novel is worth buying. That makes every second critical to presenting your work in the best light. Even Michael Chabon and Barbara Kingsolver started out this way.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Professional editor
• Agent
• Cover letter
• Target audience

1. Pay a professional editor to review your book and polish it. Editors can be a big help when it comes to identifying flaws in the plot or stilted dialog.
2. Make sure your manuscript is clean, free of mistakes and neatly bound. Although nonfiction books are generally bought based on a sample chapter, outline and proposal, fiction is only purchased after reading the entire manuscript.
3. Get an agent. Most publishing houses won't even look at a manuscript unless it comes via an agent. See How to Hire a Literary Agent.
4. Choose publishing houses who sell the genre of book you've written. If you think you're the next Danielle Steel, don't pitch your romance novel to a house that deals exclusively in history. Do send your material to as many houses that seem a reasonable fit.
5. Write a solid cover letter to accompany your manuscript. This is absolutely critical to getting an editor's attention. Start the letter with a "hook"--something unique or provocative about the book. This makes the editor want to read the novel itself. Also include:
6. Why you chose this particular editor. That shows you've done your homework.
7. Any information about prior publishing experience you have. If you have none, however, don't let on that you're a beginner.
8. A brief summary of the novel--no longer than three paragraphs-- with an estimated word count.
9. A description of the audience you think will read your novel, such as suspense fans, sci-fi junkies or teens.
10. Mail the manuscript to as many publishers as you think are potential buyers, unless your agent will market your work. Tell the publisher if you are submitting to other publishers or if they are the only one.
11. Wait. Depending on the size of the publishing house, it can take several months before you hear anything. Hold off e-mailing or phoning to ask about the status of the book. That's a sure way to turn off an editor.
12. Turn over any offers to your agent. He or she is more objective and will work to get you higher advance payments, which in turn means higher percentages for the agent.

What to Look For:

• An agent
• Suitable publishing houses
• Cover letter and summary
• Patience

Tips & Warnings

• Check out Writer's Market (writersmarket.com), an excellent source of publishing house names and contacts.
• Get a personal introduction to publishers. This will help you to stand out from the hordes of author wannabes. Work your network. Even if the connection is personal ("His children and my children go to school together."), if it seems appropriate, use it.
• Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope in the overall package so that an editor can send back your manuscript.
• Try not to get discouraged. Many great books have been through the rejection meat grinder before getting published.
• If you exhaust all the possibilities at traditional houses, look at self-publishing (see How to Self-Publish Your Book).