Love2write
09-02-2002, 07:52 PM
Brother Dave asked me on another post what steps I took toward publication. The first things an author must have in order to see their book in print is prayer and patience. Prayer and patience builds a hedge around your heart and keeps you focused.
One of the steps I took was to build an author bio of published articles that would give me some clout. And so I wrote articles on writing for The Christain Communicator Magazine. Check them out on the web.
When my first novel was completed I began sending out proposals to publishers. A proposal includes a cover letter or query letter, a synopsis of the story, author's biography, and sample chapters (usually first three, or first one hundred pages)
The query letter should begin with a hook, have a brief paragraph of what the story is about (fiction, non-fiction, and word count), your publishing credits.
There are a lot of resources on the web that give detail instructions on how to build your proposal.
For two years I sent my proposal out to publishers, and got rejections with "our list is full" or "your work is promising, but not what we are looking for". One Christain publisher sent me three pages of reviewers comments, all positive and uplifting, and asked me to do a rewrite and send it back. I followed many of the suggestions that were made, and for that I am grateful because I believe they enhanced the story. I worked on the novel all summer, then in the Fall sent it back. Two weeks later I got a rejection. It was frustrating and I thought I would give up. After about a week, and with my husband's encouragement to keep going, I pulled the manuscript down from the shelf in the closet and started sending the proposal out again.
Another writer posted about Publish America. My book is published by one of their imprints America House. It has been a tremendous learning experience! It got my feet in the door. For me, the staff at PA have worked with me to make my book the best....the cover I approved, they answer my emails and are courteous when I call on the phone.
There are drawbacks, however, that I was not aware of when I signed. One, they are a print on demand publisher, so their books are not showing up in all the bookstores. Secondly I think they price the books too high. But thank God, for Buy.com and Amazon who drastically reduce the price.
It has been wonderful getting reviews, talking with other writers, doing book signings, interviews, and meeting readers. I believe in making things the best I possibly can.
So steps to publication.
1. Write your book and be sure you have a well edited manuscript.
2. Build a book proposal.
3. Look through writer's guides to publishers and find the ones who solicite your genre. Make a list and start sending out your proposal.
4. Send queries to agents listed with The Association of Author's Representatives.
5. Be prayerful and patient.
I hope this helps. If there is anything I can do for any of you, let me know. Feel free to email me at: rpkg@erols.com
I want to encourage you! I would be happy to look at a book proposal and give my input. Keep writing!
At present I am going through the whole thing over again. I am soliciting literary agents for representation of my next two historical novels. I believe in my work, so I won't give up. Say a prayer for me that the door opens soon for an agent!
Fondly,
Rita
One of the steps I took was to build an author bio of published articles that would give me some clout. And so I wrote articles on writing for The Christain Communicator Magazine. Check them out on the web.
When my first novel was completed I began sending out proposals to publishers. A proposal includes a cover letter or query letter, a synopsis of the story, author's biography, and sample chapters (usually first three, or first one hundred pages)
The query letter should begin with a hook, have a brief paragraph of what the story is about (fiction, non-fiction, and word count), your publishing credits.
There are a lot of resources on the web that give detail instructions on how to build your proposal.
For two years I sent my proposal out to publishers, and got rejections with "our list is full" or "your work is promising, but not what we are looking for". One Christain publisher sent me three pages of reviewers comments, all positive and uplifting, and asked me to do a rewrite and send it back. I followed many of the suggestions that were made, and for that I am grateful because I believe they enhanced the story. I worked on the novel all summer, then in the Fall sent it back. Two weeks later I got a rejection. It was frustrating and I thought I would give up. After about a week, and with my husband's encouragement to keep going, I pulled the manuscript down from the shelf in the closet and started sending the proposal out again.
Another writer posted about Publish America. My book is published by one of their imprints America House. It has been a tremendous learning experience! It got my feet in the door. For me, the staff at PA have worked with me to make my book the best....the cover I approved, they answer my emails and are courteous when I call on the phone.
There are drawbacks, however, that I was not aware of when I signed. One, they are a print on demand publisher, so their books are not showing up in all the bookstores. Secondly I think they price the books too high. But thank God, for Buy.com and Amazon who drastically reduce the price.
It has been wonderful getting reviews, talking with other writers, doing book signings, interviews, and meeting readers. I believe in making things the best I possibly can.
So steps to publication.
1. Write your book and be sure you have a well edited manuscript.
2. Build a book proposal.
3. Look through writer's guides to publishers and find the ones who solicite your genre. Make a list and start sending out your proposal.
4. Send queries to agents listed with The Association of Author's Representatives.
5. Be prayerful and patient.
I hope this helps. If there is anything I can do for any of you, let me know. Feel free to email me at: rpkg@erols.com
I want to encourage you! I would be happy to look at a book proposal and give my input. Keep writing!
At present I am going through the whole thing over again. I am soliciting literary agents for representation of my next two historical novels. I believe in my work, so I won't give up. Say a prayer for me that the door opens soon for an agent!
Fondly,
Rita