Writing a novel is a big undertaking, and many would-be writers either don’t know where to begin or simply feel overwhelmed by the idea of getting their work published. If you’re about to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, here is a step-by-step guide to the traditional publishing process.
Plan your book
You may have come across the terms ‘plotter’ and ‘pantser’ when it comes to writing, and there’s no right or wrong way to prepare for writing your book. Plotters like to plan things, sometimes in broad brush strokes and sometimes down to the minutiae. Pantsers, on the other hand, tend to do a minimal amount of planning then throw themselves in and just see where the story takes them. Either way, you’ll have started with a little outlining and a plot in your head.
Write your manuscript
Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Flying through a first draft is a rare thing, although it does happen. For the majority, however, writing your manuscript could take weeks, months or even years. Don’t set yourself a time frame, just let it come naturally. Also remember that you’re highly unlikely to be happy with the end result, but a first draft is just about getting the bare bones down on the page so you can add to it or change it altogether in a second draft.
Find a critique partner
Once you’ve drafted a manuscript you’re more or less happy with, it’s time to let a second set of eyes see it. A critique partner is someone you exchange your work with, so you take a look at theirs in exchange for them reading over yours. Some of the best places to find critique partners are online forums, so put out a post on a few Facebook groups and try to find someone writing in the same genre as you.
Get some beta readers on board
Critique partners are good for initial one-to-one feedback, but hiring a select group of beta readers will also help you get a better idea of where your manuscript’s weaknesses lie. Beta readers may or may not be paid for their time, depending on the sort of people you find – a lot will volunteer out of good will or in exchange for you doing the same for them. Either way, take their feedback on board, especially if more than one person is flagging the same mistakes.
Hire a developmental editor
After your critique partner and alpha readers, you might want to tinker with your manuscript a little and iron out a few kinks before you hire a developmental editor. A developmental editor’s role is to look over your manuscript and identify issues with the plot, organisation, characters, tone of voice and order of scenes – in other words, this type of editing takes in the bigger picture rather than correcting individual lines. A good developmental editor will provide you with actionable feedback to strengthen your manuscript, meaning you’ll find it easier to redraft your text.
Make amendments
Now you’ve received your editor’s feedback, act on it. This may mean redrafting some or all of your manuscript, taking their critique as the starting point when you make your amendments. Of course, your editor’s word isn’t final and there’s a dialogue to be had if you firmly disagree with some of their suggestions, but on the whole it’s best to respect their experience and expertise.
Hire a line editor
Manuscript redrafted until both you and your editor are sure it’s close to publishable quality, the time has come for a line editor. Line editors go into the nitty gritty of a manuscript, analysing how individual sentences and paragraphs work. Their suggested changes will help give your manuscript the polish it needs if it’s going to get the attention of an agent or publishing house.
Hire a proofreader
The final stage before submission is hiring a proof-reader. A proof-reader is there to give your text one final going over to catch any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors a line editor may have missed (for this reason it’s best not to use your line editor for proof-reading, because a fresh set of eyes is best). Think of your proof-reader as the last line of defence. They will ensure your manuscript is as clean as possible, because nothing puts publishers off faster than a sloppily typed manuscript.
Approach literary agents or publishing houses
If you’ve chosen to go down the traditional publishing route, then a literary agent can help get you a foot in the door of an established publishing house. Many of the larger publishers will only look at manuscripts that are submitted via an agent, while smaller indie presses are often more willing to take a chance and may look at your work without an intermediary submitting it. Either way, an agent can open doors. Look for an agent who specialises in your genre – one of the easiest ways to do this is by finding books similar to yours and researching who represented those authors.
Sign your contract!
If you’re lucky enough to be picked up and are asked to sign a contract, remember the age-old wisdom and always read the small print! On the whole, you can trust established, well-known publishing houses and agents, but always exercise caution with those you’re less familiar with. While the publishing industry is, for the most part, an honest and well-intentioned industry, there will always be rogues, as there are in any walk of life. Before you sign a contract, ask other writers if they have experience of this publishing house or agent and decide whether their terms seem fair.
Prepare to market your book
How your book is marketed can make the difference between a best-seller and a flop. If you’ve signed to a publishing house, then they will have their own marketing machine behind them to help get your work seen – that might include organising book signings, promotional materials, social media posts, interviews and other events. If you’re self-publishing, I’ll be taking a closer look at marketing independently in another post.
Enjoy your success!
Here’s a really important final step – just enjoy it! You’ve come a long way, so now you should celebrate the achievement. Writing a book is hard, as is navigating the publishing landscape. As your sales figures grow you should take some time to say ‘I did that’ and pat yourself on the back. You’ll realise the pain was worth it and maybe even feel the energy and enthusiasm to make a start on your next book!
For more information on developmental editing and how it can improve your chances of finding a traditional publisher, please get in touch via my online form.
Add comment
Comments