How to Get a Book Published & Edited

Getting a book published and edited used to be a long and difficult process. With recent changes in the publishing industry, however, making your book available to others is easier than ever. This article will show you how to do it three different ways.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access
• Copy of your book manuscript in digital file form

Instructions

Submitting Your Book to a Publisher

1. Search online for publishers that specialize in the subject matter of your book. Yahoo! and other search engines maintain directories of publishers categorized by genre.

2. Visit the websites of publishers who might be interested in publishing your manuscript. Search their catalog of publications to see if your book would be a good fit.

3. Most publishers will post their submission guidelines, which you should follow exactly if you decide to submit your manuscript to them. If a publisher accepts your manuscript, it will offer you a publishing contract and provide an editor for your book.

Publishing and Editing Your Book Through a Literary Agent

1. Search for a directory of literary agents online. Search engines like Yahoo maintain directories of literary agents categorized by genre. Good literary agents have well-established contacts with many publishers and often can get your book before a publisher's eyes more quickly than you could on your own.

2. Visit the websites of literary agents who might be interested in publishing your manuscript. Search to find out which books they have successfully sold to publishers and see if your book would be a good fit.

3. Most literary agents will post their submission guidelines which you should follow exactly if you decide to submit your manuscript to them. If the literary agent agrees to represent your manuscript, he or she will offer you a representation agreement.

Self-publish Your Book

1. Log on to the Internet and search for companies that specialize in helping authors who want to self-publish their work. Companies like BookSurge and Lulu offer inexpensive prices and complete manuscript preparation/editing services.

2. Read carefully each company's manuscript preparation guidelines.

3. Follow the preparation steps exactly if you decide to engage a company's services. Otherwise, your publishing project will be delayed and will cost you additional money.

Tips & Warnings

• Authors typically are so invested in their work that it is often difficult for them to remain objective. Getting feedback about your manuscript from a professional editor is therefore an excellent investment.

• Good literary agents will agree to payment for their services based on a successful placement of your book with a publisher. Beware of literary agents who require payment up front. If you go the traditional route for publishing and editing your book, do not be discouraged if it receives many rejections: the first "Harry Potter" book was rejected by many publishers until one finally saw merit in it.