How To Publish a Novel in 7 Steps

As a writer, you may not be aware of how the publishing industry works or how to prepare a novel for submission. Learning to publish your novel in 7 steps may simplify what otherwise may be an overwhelming process. These steps will guide you through learning about the industry in general, writing your novel and creating a submission strategy to get your novel published.

Publishing companies perform several tasks before releasing a book for sale. Once a writer has finished a novel, it will undergo editing, designing and final copyediting before it is ready to go to print. The publishing house may also prepare a marketing strategy to attract the attention of readers. Writers that choose to self-publish will need to either perform these tasks themselves or hire someone to perform them.http://www.underdown.org/publisher-expertise.htm

How To Publish a Novel in 7 Steps Video

Donna Sozio from ImPublished.com explains how to publish a novel in 7 steps. The video is an overview of several others produced by Mahalo.com. To view tutorials for each of the 7 steps, visit the Mahalo.com YouTube channel.

Step 1: Understand the Publishing Industry

When you are finished writing your book and are preparing to submit it to a publisher, your finished work is essentially a product that you are selling. It is essential that you understand the industry so that you can gather the necessary information to present your product successfully. Beginning this research before you begin writing your book will help you to be prepared early.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oP-_Q0xjns

Step 2: Identify Your Best-Selling Idea

In one or two sentences, you should be able to describe what your book is about, how it will appeal to readers and what benefit it will offer the publishing agents. Your best-selling idea should lead your query letter and be memorable to those who accept your submission. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oP-_Q0xjns

Step 3: Write a Best-Selling Book Outline

Identify what the plot and structure of your novel will be before you begin writing. You will then take this information and create an outline that will provide a basis for your characters, theme and the plot of your story. You will want to have your outline detailed so that while you are writing your novel, you will be able to remain focused and avoid having to organize it once you have finished writing.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oP-_Q0xjns

Step 4: Write a Best-Selling Novel

After you have completed the first three steps, you are now ready to begin writing. With your outline in hand, this is your time to be creative and allow your writing style to flow. Remember that since you have already determined the details of your story, now you must put your creative mind to work and write your best-seller.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oP-_Q0xjns

Step 5: Publicity Preparation

This is a part of writing your query letter. Publishers are looking for books and stories that will create a stir or attract publicity. You must examine your story, be prepared to explain the appeal of your novel and how this idea will attract the media's attention.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oP-_Q0xjns

Step 6: Write a Query Letter

All the steps that have been described above will provide the information that will be included in your query letter. When you are ready to submit your novel to a publisher, this letter will explain each of the elements of your best-selling novel. Most importantly, be sure to include your best-selling idea and the description that you have prepared as this will be the major selling factor of your story.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oP-_Q0xjns

Step 7: Create a Submission Strategy

The last step is to create a submission strategy.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oP-_Q0xjns This will help you stay on track. You may need to try several publishers before you find one that will agree to publish your novel. You cannot allow yourself to become discouraged. This is where your strategy will help you to remain focused and stay positive. You may need to submit several queries before your novel is accepted. If you remain persistent, you may find that your hard work will pay off and you will be on your way to becoming a published author.

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