The Critical To-Do-List Before Seeking A Publisher or Agent

You've finished a novel! Congratulations, that's no small feat. Now it's time to get it published so you can share it with the world. Before you submit your manuscript to anyone, though, there are a few things you should do first,

1. Research the Publishing Process

There are many ways to get published these days, and it's important to understand your options. You can self-publish, find a literary agent, submit your manuscript directly to a publisher, or even self-publish in serialized form (one chapter at a time) on a website. Each option has pros and cons, so it's important to figure out which route is right for you and your book. We are soon to publish a detailed article on this topic, so be sure to check back in the next month for more information.

2. Polish that manuscript!

This should go without saying, but still needs to be said: take time to revise and edit your work until it shines. Find beta readers (there are plenty out there, and there are beta-reading clubs you can join). Get all the feedback you can, and use it. Hire a professional editor if you need to, but first take a good hard crack at tightening up your book and eliminating any unnecessary fluff. Proofread carefully and make sure there are no typos. Follow publishing and submission guidelines to a t: use the correct fonts, spacing, etc.,

3. Know Your Genre Inside and Out

Make sure you understand your genre. Learn it inside and out. Any publisher or literary agent will want to see that you have a strong understanding of your book's genre. This means being familiar with the conventions of the genre (word count, narrative style and structure, etc.) as well as the big titles that have been published in that genre. Make sure you can speak knowledgeably about your genre and how your book fits into it!

If you have a cross-genre book (sci fi-horror, historical mystery, etc.), you'll have a tougher sell out there, but it can be done. However, you'll need to be even more prepared to discuss how and where your book fits in the genre system.

4. Be ready to talk about your target audience

Your target audience is extremely important. Publishers and literary agents will want to know that you have a clear idea of who your book is for and that there's a market for it.

At a minimum, you'll need to be able to articulate your target audience's demographics: age, gender, and location. Are they adults, children, or teens? Male, female, both, or something else? Will your book appeal to people from a certain country or region?

In addition, think about your target readers' psychographics. In other words, who are they? What do they like to read? What are they reading now? Are they casual consumers of beach-reading pulp, or serious book lovers? Coming up with a profile of your intended readers isn't easy but may help you develop a much clearer idea of who your book is for.

5. Create a Book Promotion Plan

Last but not least, consider making a promotion plan for your book. Publishers and agents prefer authors to be engaged with the promotion of their books and who have concrete, specific ideas about how to do so. Even a basic plan that includes some social media marketing, a local launch event, and outreach to book reviewers and clubs would be taken as a sign that you're serious about this.

Final Thoughts

We'll cover some of these topics in more detail in future posts, so please check back with this blog!

And remember: research is key! The more you know about your genre, target audience, and the publishing process, the better equipped you'll be for success.