Advice From Writers on Getting Published

Finishing a book is a major accomplishment, but getting your book published is the next big milestone. Whether you’re a first-time author or a seasoned writer, the publishing process can be a minefield. However, with some strategic planning and perseverance, you can increase your chances of getting published. In this article, we’ll explore some tips on how writers can get published.

For many writers, achieving the holy grail of being published can seem like a pipe dream. Being a successful writer not just about the accolades and the validation; it’s also about earning your living doing something you love. Many successful authors started their careers with heaps of rejection letters, and you can bet that they persevered and never gave up.

Are you ready to chase that publishing dream? To help you on your way, we’ve compiled some tried-and-tested advice from renowned published authors. Fair warning; it’s going to take countless hours of editing, revising, and resubmitting to literary agents or publishing houses, but keep in mind that the only way to never get published is to stop trying.

As book editors, we won’t pretend that getting published is a walk in the park, but with hard work and persistence, it’s possible. Focus on writing a great book, researching publishers and agents, and building your author platform. Remember that rejection is a part of the process, and keep trying. With dedication and perseverance, you can get your book published and share your message with the world.

Heed the wisdom of those who have achieved what you aspire to, and get inspired. Then, pick up your pen or seat yourself in front of your laptop, and get writing. Who knows, the next bestselling author the world will come to adore could very well be you!

Tips get Published

1. Write a Great Book: The first step to getting published is to write a great book. Take your time and ensure that your manuscript is well-written, engaging, and appeals to your target audience. Edit and revise it until it’s as polished as possible.

2. Research Publishers and Agents: Once your manuscript is complete, it’s time to research potential publishers and literary agents. Look for publishers and agents that have published or represented books similar to yours.

3. Write a Compelling Query Letter: A query letter is a letter to a literary agent or publisher that introduces you and your book. It should be professional, well-written, and grab the recipient’s attention. It should include a brief description of your book, your author bio, and any relevant experience or credentials.

4. Submit Your Manuscript: Submit your manuscript to the publishers and agents you’ve identified. Follow their submission guidelines carefully, and be patient. The publishing process can take time, so be prepared for potential rejection and keep trying.

5. Consider Self-Publishing: If you’re having a hard time finding a traditional publishing deal, consider self-publishing. Self-publishing has become increasingly popular over the years and can be an effective way to get your work out there.

6. Build your Author Platform: Publishers and agents want to work with authors who have a strong author platform. This includes things like a professional website, a social media presence, and a following. Building your author platform can help you stand out to publishers and agents.

7. Attend Writing Conferences: Writing conferences can be a great way to network with other writers and literary professionals. Attend conferences and workshops that are relevant to your genre and target audience.

Getting published can be challenging, but with hard work and persistence, it’s possible. Focus on writing a great book, researching publishers and agents, and building your author platform. Remember that rejection is a part of the process, and keep trying. With dedication and perseverance, you can get your book published and share your message with the world.

Quotes from Authors

Just write every day of your life. Read intensely. Then see what happens. Most of my friends who are put on that diet have very pleasant careers.

― Ray Bradbury

You have made some notes, read some writing books, and done some research. Mostly what you’ve done is talk about writing a book. An idea for a book is not a book; it is a waste of time. There is no singular thing that makes someone a writer, but there is one thing that makes someone a joke―talking about writing a book without doing any work.

― Pat Walsh, 78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published

Try to read your own work as a stranger would read it, or even better, as an enemy would.

― Zadie Smith

As a young man just beginning to publish some short fiction in magazines, I was fairly optimistic about my chances of getting published; I knew that I had some game, as the basketball players say these days, and I also felt that time was on my side; sooner or later the best-selling writers of the sixties and seventies would either die or go senile, making room for newcomers like me.

― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Remember: when people tell you something’s wrong or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.

― Neil Gaiman, 8 Rules of Writing

No matter how strong your query letter is, the quality of your writing matters most.

― Paul Raymond Martin, Getting Published

The reason 99% of all stories written are not bought by editors is very simple. Editors never buy manuscripts that are left on the closet shelf at home.

― John Campbell, The Little Black Book of Writers’ Wisdom

We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.

― Kurt Vonnegut, If This Isn’t Nice, What Is?: Advice for the Young

I love my rejection slips. They show me I try.

― Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

This manuscript of yours that has just come back from another editor is a precious package. Don’t consider it rejected. Consider that you’ve addressed it ‘to the editor who can appreciate my work’ and it has simply come back stamped ‘Not at this address’. Just keep looking for the right address.

― Barbara Kingsolver, Quit Your Day Job!

Don’t try to anticipate an “ideal reader” – there may be one, but he/she is reading someone else.

― Joyce Carol Oates

The freelance writer is a man who is paid per piece or per word or perhaps.

― Robert Benchley