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