steps

After reading my last post I thought it’d be a good idea to run through ‘the steps’ you need to take once you’ve finished your manuscript. Or at least the steps as I see them (opinion – not law)

Make sure your manuscript is finished
Decide what genre your manuscript is (you may have done this earlier – but double check anyway)
Write a synopsis – here’s a helpful link http://www.author-network.com/synopsis.html and you can read mine if you want another example
Write a query letter – the easiest way to learn about query letters is to go through my list of favourite blogs. Most have articles dedicated to query’s. Think succinct and catchy
Start looking online for Literary Agents (see my links list!)
Read their FULL bio’s – you don’t want to send a fantasy book to an agent who only works with non- fiction etc
Set up a table so you can track who you’ve sent queries to, when you sent them and what their response is. This stops you from sending to the same agency twice (usually a big no-no unless their site states otherwise)
Through out all of these steps be polishing your manuscript. Do this continually even when you think you’ve done it – read it again
Get someone who is big on grammar/spelling/punctuation to edit it. This could be a friend or even your old English teacher (suggest it as a project for their class *lol*)
TALK IT UP! Tell everyone you know and more that you’ve written a manuscript and are trying to get published. It’s often said ‘it’s not what you know but who’. You’ll be surprised at who knows someone – I continually am
Write a blog (HA! Your turn now ; p)
Once you have a selection of agents you believe would be suitable, then send them your query. Don’t send a mass generated e-mail, make sure each query is personalized and adheres to their submission guidelines (everyone is different)
Keep working on your manuscript! Don’t sit there chewing your nails waiting for responses, do something! If you can’t face your manuscript again then write something else or read a different style of book to broaden your own style
When you get a response for a partial, reply promptly and do EXACTLY WHAT THEY ASK

and this is as far as I can take you… at the moment *grin* Stay tuned for my next installment of the steps!

This is probably a common feeling for people in my position.

I’ve just finished my first novel, I’m nearly (just past halfway!) through the final polish (or at least till I decided to read it again *sigh*) and now I discover while researching on how to appeal to a literary agent (other than the obvious – writing a kick ass novel) that they like it if you are ‘known’ on the net and have a ‘following’.

Thankfully further research confirmed this means people read/want to read your site not the creepy preaching to nutters and arranging mass suicides type of following…
Which is great! Cause that would have cut some ambitious plans of mine rather short.

My ambitions plans? World Domination, naturally..

On a more serious note ; p I’d really love to get my novel published. Hell I’d love to see my novel on the big screen because it really is totally awesome!! Of course I would say that I wrote it.
However the critiques I’m receiving so far are promising and I’m on the hunt for at least two more viscously honest readers (don’t tell me it’s nice or you like it – give me details *roars*) while I also hunt for an agent.
Who knew book publishing was so f$@%#^g complicated!?!
Seriously writing the book was the easy and enjoyable part.
The next steps though.. Tedious, frustrating and challenging – thankfully I thrive on a challenge.

So follow me and my forays as I attempt to take the world by storm!

The steps

Another freaking step!