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