| When we go to the book store, we see hundreds of | | | | 2..Self-publish your book. The second way to get a |
| books. Behind each of these books is an author who | | | | book published is to self-publish it. This way, you |
| put lots of time, hard work, and dedication into | | | | could either use a print-on-demand method where |
| writing their book. While there are hundreds of | | | | you don't have to pay up front costs or only small |
| authors published, there are many more wannabe | | | | costs, or you can use a self-publisher where you |
| authors who either write a book and dream of | | | | purchase a certain amount of books ahead of time. |
| getting it published, or dream of getting a book | | | | The latter option is often of better quality. |
| published that they have yet to write. | | | | The down-side to self-publishing is that you have to |
| How do you get a book published if you aren't | | | | do all the marketing. There are no well-known agents |
| already an accomplished author? There are two main | | | | or publishers that will get you noticed. Your best bet |
| ways to get a book published: | | | | if you go this way is to study up and really learn |
| 1. Get a literary agent and publish through a traditional | | | | about how to market a book before-hand. There are |
| author. This is how we most often think of getting a | | | | endless ways you can do it especially today with the |
| book published. How do you get a literary agent? | | | | internet. You need to learn about pre-selling the book |
| First, you write a book, short stories, or whatever it | | | | before it's even out and how to really get the word |
| is you want to get published and start your career | | | | out. |
| with. | | | | Also, with self-publishing, you are in charge of |
| Then, you send out query letters to literary agents | | | | proofreading and making sure it's perfect. There are |
| that you are interested in. A query letter is just a | | | | no professional editors that are perfecting your piece |
| letter asking an agent to consider your piece. It is | | | | that has years of experience with best-sellers, unless |
| similar to a sales piece. Be very brief but try to catch | | | | you are able to hire one. For some, this is a welcome |
| their attention. Don't include an excerpt. If they are | | | | challenge just like the marketing. For others, they |
| interested, they will contact you. | | | | aren't even sure of their own talent and they want |
| Once you've landed an agent that truly believes in | | | | to let the editors and publishers decide if what they |
| your writing, talent, and book, they will help you find | | | | have is really all that good. |
| a publisher that feels the same way. When you are | | | | You could choose either way. Some people try and |
| ready to get published, your agent and publisher will | | | | try with traditional publishers and get turned down |
| help you with marketing and all that good book | | | | time after time. They believe their book has great |
| publishing stuff. | | | | potential and decide to self-publish. Sometimes they |
| You could go directly to the publisher, but very few, | | | | are a success, sometimes they fall flat on their face. |
| if not no publishers will accept your work this way. | | | | I suggest you have trusted friends and family read |
| The best way is to go through an agent because | | | | your book before you go any route. Make sure they |
| they are more trusted and will help you out a lot as | | | | won't just tell you what you want to hear but will be |
| well. | | | | use constructive criticism on your book. |