How Can I Publish a Book?

With hard work, organization and a terrific manuscript, you can get published. This article's focus is on publishing a novel. The publishing method for nonfiction varies slightly. For instance, a novel has to be completed before it's submitted, while a nonfiction manuscript may be commissioned based on a proposal.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Completed fiction manuscript

1. Find a literary agent to represent you and sign a contract with that agent. One of the more convenient ways to find an agent is by using a tool like the free QueryTracker. This database lists literary agents, their clients, addresses and submission guidelines. The tools let you keep track of when and to whom you submitted your work.

2. Edit your work with the agent. Nearly every agent will have at least a few suggestions on how to make the novel better. Many agents are former editors, while others are just experienced readers and businesspeople.

3. Have the agent submit the work to suitable publishers. The agent will usually submit to multiple publishing houses to try to generate an auction, where more than one house wants to buy it.

4. Talk to the editors who are interested in buying your work. This can be done by phone or in person, if you're local. The editor explains the benefits of coming to their publishing house and what changes, if any, the editor would like you to make. This is your opportunity to ask questions and decide if you're willing to make the changes.

5. Wait for the agent to negotiate an advance, royalties and other contract details with the publisher. Once all parties agree to terms, a contract will be drawn up. The actual contract may take a month or so to arrive; you will then have to sign several copies and mail them back.

6. Edit the book with your editor. If you have a problem with certain changes, ask your agent to intercede on your behalf.
   
   After the editor is satisfied with the changes, the book will be approved and a publication date decided upon.

7. Copy edit the book. The copy editor makes changes, which you must approve or disapprove. Then the book is made into galleys. Look over the galleys for mistakes.

8. Fill out a publicity questionnaire. This is a form used by the sales and marketing department asking about your biography, why you wrote the book and any publicity contacts you might personally have.

9. Provide feedback on the book cover. Sometimes the editor will ask the author what she likes in terms of colors and styles, which the art department will take into consideration. However, the author is not allowed to be entirely in charge of the cover. If the author hates the cover, the editor can intervene on the author's behalf.

10. Send out Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) to other authors for them to read. If other authors like the book, they will write you a blurb, or endorsement, that will be used for marketing.
    
    Your agent and editor will send ARCs out to reviewers and other authors on your behalf, too. You may be asked to write personal notes to these authors or to send the ARCs yourself.

11. Decide on a marketing plan for your book with the marketing team. The plan will vary depending on the size of the publisher and how well the marketing team thinks the book will do. The majority of book marketing is done on the Internet, through blogs, social networking ads and website contests.

12. Wait for the book to be published and follow the marketing plan you have established with your house.

Tips & Warnings

• Having an agent is not a prerequisite to publishing, but many publishers won't read work by unagented authors. Additionally, agents can arrange auctions in the event that more than one publisher wants to bit on your work, which you cannot do on your own.
• A book's advance payment is generally split into three: a third on signing, a third on acceptance and a third on publication. Therefore, do not plan on meeting all your household expenses right away with the sale of your book. Also plan on paying quarterly federal and state taxes yourself or hire an accountant to tell you how much to pay in estimated taxes.

References

• Query Tracker
• The Publishing Process: A Timeline

Resources

• Ten Steps Toward Finding a Book Publisher
• Sample Author Questionnaire