Article by Chris Jenkins
Writing a book is not the easiest job in the world. And what happens after that — getting that book published — is ten times harder. Every season a new best-selling author comes into the picture with this gigantic idea of a book, and many aspiring authors hopelessly slump to their seats realizing how their own writing is far from ever making it to the charts, let alone getting approved by a publisher. Yet after an interview or two, the best-selling author shares to the world how many hundreds of times his manuscript was actually rejected — and the aspiring writers sink further down the couch. The truth is, despite the many billions of hardbound and paperback books there are present on the shelf today, still even more unread manuscripts are waiting to be published. Publishers and agents receive incredible loads of unsolicited manuscripts on a day-to-day basis. If the company does not entertain unsolicited work, none of them are ever even read. But if by any chance one or two of these packages gets through, they would have to pass yet another long-winded process to finally make it out into the world alive. However, like any other goal and process there are other ways, backdoors, to getting a book published. Before getting there, one must be able to write well. This means having gone through the long and tedious process of writing “barely tolerable” manuscripts and of receiving painfully honest critiques. To judge the quality of a piece of literature is not the job of the author who wrote it; most written work sound spectacular to the ears of those who made them but could not, by any possible means, be endured by common readers. Before making the first attempt at getting a book published, it is necessary for that book go have gone through serious, unbiased, and critical editing. Getting There The Traditional Way Persistence is a key ingredient in this business. A constant delivery of manuscripts to publishers and agents, although seemingly futile, is bound to get some attention. Although rejections may be expected, these must not become a hindrance to the possibility of publication. It is, however, truly important not to harass people by forcing unsolicited manuscripts or unwanted personal contact. Doing so will burn the chances of authoring a book altogether. Making a Name First It is not uncommon that a book by a virtually anonymous, first-time author cannot get the attention it deserves. However, if that virtually anonymous first-time author makes his way to Hollywood by sheer luck or talent, then any book that would come out from beneath his pen would attract mind-blowing sales and readership. If the material can’t come first, then the author can — by making front-page news. Going Solo When all else fails, there is always the option to self-publish a manuscript. This way, the author is not at the mercy of publishers and agents who will determine whether or not his book is worthy of making it to the shelves; he can make it happen himself. One very important prerequisite to self-publication is rigorous editing, since nobody else will take charge of this task but the author himself — unless he chooses to hire a personal editor. Also, a considerable sum of money needs to be set aside for printing, distribution, marketing, and advertising, all of which will be covered by the writer for the sale of his book. If none of the above options work, it is important, still, to keep on writing. The next big break might just be waiting around the corner for the last “barely tolerable” manuscript that would become the completion of a long road of waiting and the start of fame itself.
About the Author
Are you looking for more information on getting a book published? Visit http://www.trinitylivingtoday.com/Book-Publishing-Home-Study-Course.html today!
Related Book Publishing Agent Articles
