You, too, can get your book published

I recently ran across an article entitled “5 Things to Do to Get Your Book Published.” It contained – as you might expect – five steps for aspiring authors. Here they are, in order:

1. Come up with an idea for your book. “Having an original or inspired idea is always useful…”

2. Decide who you are writing for. Are you writing a book for children? If so, write in language they can understand. If your book is for adults, consider using bigger words.

3. Finish your manuscript. “Create a schedule and write regularly” until your manuscript is complete.

4. Consider hiring an agent. An agent can help sell your manuscript, a key step to becoming a published author.

5. Keep your options open. Approach not only large but medium and small publishing houses to see if they will pay you for the privilege of publishing your book. If none of the large, medium or small publishers you approach express interest, maybe you can pay one of them to print it for you.

I was so taken by the brilliance of the advice that I read the article twice. I have always wondered why none of my books have been published. It had never occurred to me that I have been overlooking steps 1 and 3.

Upon further reflection, I realized these five steps just begin to “scratch the surface” of the many things we aspiring authors must do. So I have spent the last two weeks interviewing successful authors to develop five more tips to share with my readers in case you, too, have been wondering how to get your book published.

6. Use words and/or pictures to make your book “come to life.”  Each and every author I interviewed is emphatic about this: Readers prefer books with something other than blank pages.

7. Give your book a title. “Title” is publishing-speak for “name.” A “catchy” one will do wonders to attract attention to your book. If you have trouble coming up with one, consider variations of titles other best-selling authors have used with success. For instance, Gone with the Breeze, A Tale of Two Suburbs, To Kill An Oriole, The House of the Seven Bathrooms or The Catcher in the Sourdough.

8. Play the “name game.” Not Shirley Shirley Bo Berly Banana Fanna Fo Ferley, Fee Fie Mo Merley. I’m talking about something much more important: When you send your manuscript to an agent or publisher, be sure to put your name and contact information on it and/or on the cover letter you enclose with it. This will enable anyone interested in publishing your manuscript to reach you.  

9. Save your manuscript on paper or on a digital file so you can share it with potential publishers. Unless you are a former president, first lady, Kardashian or other celebrity, it is unlikely a publisher will agree to print your book much less send you a large cash advance if it isn't possible to review the content in advance.

10. Breathe, eat, sleep and eliminate waste during the time you are writing your book.  This will enable you to complete the other nine critical steps.

Follow these steps and it's a "sure thing" you will have a successful career as a best-selling author, just as I will someday. 

Soon as I come up with an idea.