So You Don't Want to Self Publish

Ever wondered what it’s really like to publish a book the traditional way?

Here’s the sitch broken down by steps with detail on each part (because who wants to be left hanging!).

Step 1: Write a book.

- get trusted friends or beta readers (people to read your book and offer feedback on it)

- PARTY and CELEBRATE because you wrote a book!!

Step 2: Query literary agents

This can be a very long process. Sometimes you’ll hear back from an agent in a few minutes, a few hours, a few months, or never. (Many agents have a “no response means no” policy.)

If you hear back from them and it’s a no, it will either be a form letter (a copy and paste rejection they send to everyone) or they’ll tell you what they liked/didn’t like about it.

If they want to read more, they’ll usually request a partial (x number of pages or x number of chapters). Again, it could take anywhere from a few days to six or eight months to hear back from them after they request pages, or you may never hear back. So when you get a request, it's a BIG DEAL!!! Celebrate!! Pop the bubbly.

If you do hear back, it will either be a rejection (usually with a brief note on why they didn’t connect), or you’ll get a full request! You'll send them your complete manuscript and then wait some more. (Because waiting is FUN RIGHT?!) And again, you guys, this is a big deal!!! Tell everyone! Celebrate!! (I cried the first time I got a request!)

Then, THREE THINGS CAN HAPPEN.

- You get rejected

- You get an R&R (a “revise and resubmit.” This means they like your book but they have issues with it and want to see if you have what it takes to resolve them before they work with you. They’ll give you detailed feedback on what needs to be edited, and if you align with their vision, you go to work. This is good because the agent is invested in your work and if you can fix the issues, they’re highly likely to offer you representation.)

- You get an offer of representation! Usually they ask to set up a phone call and during that they’ll make the offer. This is a HUGE deal!! The best book agents can get as many as 1,500 queries per month (18,000 per year), and they sometimes only offer to represent approximately 6 new clients per year. With those statistics, you realize how precious and rare it is to get that offer!

Step 3: Choose your agent!

You do NOT accept the offer right away. Traditionally you have ten days (to two weeks if you’re stretching it) to decide. This is when you email all the other agents who have requested your book (either partial or full) and tell them you received an offer of rep and the deadline for when you have to let the offering agent know your decision. This gives them time to read your book and decide if THEY want to offer, too.

For any offering agents you can set up phone calls to talk about editorial vision, editors/publishers they have in mind for your book, etc. Once you decide who the best fit for you is, you tell the offering agent you accept and then let the other agents know your decision.

Step 4: Edit some more

Sign the author agreement and then EDIT. Usually, you’ll work with your agent to get your book in the best possible shape before it goes on submission.

Step 5: Welcome to sub club!

Go on submission! Remember the query process? Now it’s your agents turn to reach out to editors at publishing houses (or small presses) with your book and why they want it. This is why it’s huge to have a good agent who has connections to editors who are looking for the type of book you’ve written.

If the editor likes it, they’ll make an offer. (I’ll do another post on this and what an advance looks like, etc.). If more than one editor likes it, your book will go to “auction,” which is exactly what it sounds like! Multiple publishing houses making competitive bids trying to get your book and work with you.

Step 6: Back to the editing trenches

EDIT SOME MORE. You’ll work with the acquiring editor until your book is shiny and you basically have it memorized. Grammatical edits, line edits, pacing and thematic edits, all of it. And don’t forget marketing campaigns, cover design, and ARC’s (advanced reader copies they send out to book bloggers and the like to get feedback on it). Once ALL OF THIS is done, your book will be……PUBLISHED?!

There. That didn’t take too long, did it? And how much of your soul do you have left? Kidding, kidding. It’s a long and arduous process. The chances are slim. But they’re there! Believe in your book, yourself, and the fact that you have something to say - continue to hone your craft. YOU GOT THIS!

*Stay tuned on a post for the best tips to get requests from your query. Hit that subscribe button so you'll be notified when it's published! And as always, if you have a dollar or two to spare, tips and pledges are HUGELY appreciated! (;