Almost every time I tell someone that I have written a novel, I get the response, "Oh, I've always wanted to write a novel." It seems that publishing a novel is many people's dream. The book publishing world is a vast and many-faceted place; finding your niche and then working your way into it can be a tricky task. This web page will teach you how to publish a novel.
Here is some advice on how to publish novels:
Do Your Research. Find out who the novel publishers are, where they are, and how to contact them. It also helps to attend conferences or seminars in your novel subject matter, learn the hot topics and trends specific to the industry--understanding these will help you present your manuscript in a more appealing light by tying it to a popular trend.
Consider Using an Agent. In getting a novel published, obtaining a literary agent to represent you is important. It is a literary agent's job to help you get published--that's how they make their money--they have the publisher connections, the advice, the know-how, the time.
Choose the Right Publisher for You. The list of novel publishers is long. You need to understand what a publisher's specialties, strengths, and preferences are, so you can narrow down the publisher list and match up your novel with their needs correctly. Be thorough and picky. The same advice applies to literary agents.
Approach the Publisher Properly. Some publishers want a call first, some want an email, some want a query letter, some just want a portion of your manuscript in the mail. You must show respect and approach them how they want to be approached--take the publisher's advice; otherwise, they will not listen to you or view your material. The same goes for approaching an agent.
Learn to Shrug Off Rejection. On the average, 98-99% of submissions to both publishers and literary agents get rejected, especially if you've never been published before. That's just the way it is. It will help if you can learn from rejection. Be open-minded. You may need to revise and try again. If you have talent and perseverance, you will succeed in getting published.
I highly recommend a few outstanding books and guides on novel publishing and how to publish your novel:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published. A complete handbook on the book publishing market, covering query letters, book proposals, agents, and contracts, as well as offering assistance on settling on a subject, information on how manuscripts become books and how books get into stores, and advice on keeping your book in the stores once it gets there.
Get Your First Book Published: And Make It a Success. A complete collection of innovative tools, advice, resources, and real-life examples that focuses on the needs of first-time, unpublished authors; also lists hundreds of awards and publishers targeted specifically to these aspiring writers.
The Sell Your Novel Toolkit: Everything You Need to Know about Queries, Synopses, Marketing and Breaking In. The author offers the wisdom of more than twenty years of experience as an author, book editor, writing instructor, and marketing consultant. Step-by-step, she details what publishers and editors want, what questions to ask them, how to develop a marketing strategy, and how to get your book published.
The Writer's Market. It gives over 4000 market listings for consumer magazines, book publishing houses, trade journals, and contests and awards, along with 50 listings for literary agents. It also offers dynamic interviews with established writers and industry insiders, including novel publishers, editors and successful freelancers, as well as essential publishing information and advice, including payment rates and tax answers, a guide to publisher imprints, online publishing basics, and valuable self-marketing tips.