Typing the words “The End” at the end of your manuscript is one of the most satisfying acts a writer can perform. Millions of people dream of writing a book, but most of them never set pen to paper (or finger to keyboard). Few start writing, and far fewer persevere to a completed manuscript—of any description. Several articles estimate that fewer than 3% of the writers who actually begin writing a novel stick with it to completion, and only 20% of those who do type “The End” follow through to publication.
If you are reading this, the chances are high that you have not only started writing, but you have probably made considerable progress. You are to be congratulated.
Authoring a book can be broken into many different tasks. My own view is that the tasks can be grouped into three main stages:
Writing the first draft
Some writers take decades to complete this stage. Life makes many demands on writers and often leaves little time and energy for creation. As you write, make time to read about the craft of writing fiction. Find a writing group in your area. Some writing groups will critique your work as you progress, while others provide the support you will find helpful as you slowly work your way to the finish line. Librarians are often good sources of contacts if you’re looking. If you aren’t successful in your local area, explore on line groups.
Getting the book ready for publication
Read the book through and dissect it. Before it leaves your hands, it must be thoroughly examined by you, the author, to insert explanations needed to fill the plot holes and to eliminate those scenes you love so much but don’t advance the plot. Search for inconsistencies; read it aloud for rhythm and natural flow of dialogue; replace bland words with more meaningful words. In short, you need to buff and polish your prose to the best of your ability. Then you send it out to beta readers (not your best friend or family members who will love it just because you were the one to write it). Consider the feedback and adjust your manuscript accordingly. Then you get it professionally edited. My blog post in Dixie Helps Writers gives more suggestions about this step.
Finding the path to publication
The third and possibly most frustrating phase is getting your book published. Sending query letters is not easy. Research how to write a query letter, then spend as much effort on that letter as you did writing your first page. This is your only chance to make a first impression. Look into the agents or publishers you want to work with. Do your homework. There are many publishers who are truly interested in helping the authors they publish, but there are others who find new writers easy prey. Should you decide to self-publish, there is even more work to be done: formatting, choosing your distribution outlets, conquering the business aspects of selling your work, and many more.
Then there’s the marketing. Oh, did I forget to mention this earlier? If you want anyone to read the book you have poured so much of your life’s energy into creating, they have to know it exists. Marketing should be a parallel activity to the writing tasks. You should begin building your platform when you have written more than the opening scene, and you are excited about finishing it. In fact, now would be the perfect time to begin.
TAKING YOUR BOOK TO MARKET