| As a three-time published author and creative | | | | and your book could languish for weeks or |
| writing teacher I get asked a lot: "What is | | | | months -- or simply be rejected. The |
| the secret to getting your book published?" | | | | difference between timing and luck though is |
| Many of the interrogators are disappointed, | | | | that you can control your timing much more |
| some even disbelieving, when I tell them | | | | than you can manipulate luck. Here |
| there is no secret. Getting published is | | | | information is the key. The more research you |
| about three key elements and none of them are | | | | do into your market then the better able you |
| a secret but all three play an important | | | | will be to work timing to your favor. I have |
| role. Book publishing requires a combination | | | | a friend who made her first sale by carefully |
| of luck, timing, and talent. | | | | researching the market and delivering to her |
| | | | chosen publisher the perfect idea at the |
| I know too much about the publishing game | | | | perfect time. |
| (and it is a game as much as it is a | | | | |
| business) to discount the importance of luck | | | | Of course talent is important to getting |
| when it comes to getting your book published. | | | | published and becoming successful. You need |
| I have watched a lot of authors come and go. | | | | to be a talented writer and possess the |
| I have watched a lot of would-be authors do | | | | creative genius to create characters and |
| everything right to exploit their talent and | | | | plots that make for great reading. However, I |
| then fade away into oblivion. I have watched | | | | save this element for last as without luck |
| a select few authors make mistakes and still | | | | and timing then all the talent in the world |
| come out with successful careers. While luck | | | | may not be enough to get your published. I |
| isn't everything and should certainly not be | | | | think in the end a talented writer could find |
| a key part of your publishing and writing | | | | a publisher but it would be a long arduous |
| strategy, you need to allow for an element of | | | | process and most writers become discouraged |
| luck -- whether it is bad or good. | | | | and quit before achieving their goal. |
| | | | |
| Timing is a crucial part of becoming a | | | | It is possible to become a published author. |
| published author as opposed to being simply a | | | | New writers are getting published every year. |
| writer. You could have the best book idea in | | | | It is not easy to get published but a |
| the world and the most incredible writing | | | | combination of luck, timing and talent can |
| talent but if you are delivering a book too | | | | help you get your book published. While you |
| similar to one they just bought or published | | | | cannot control your luck, you do have the |
| then your timing is bad. Likewise, you could | | | | power to control your timing and talent. Work |
| have a good book that hits the publishing | | | | on gathering information and work on your |
| house just when they are on a buying freeze | | | | writing. You can succeed at book publishing. |