Fiction Writing: Secrets That Will Help Get You Published

You’ve written what you are sure is a great novel and the obvious next step would be to have it published. But, as every pre-published author knows, it’s not quite as easy as that. Getting a book into print can be even harder than writing it, unless you know exactly how to go about it.
A common misconception among authors is that publishers aren’t looking for new books. Wrong. Every commercial book publisher in the world is on an endless quest for potential bestsellers. If they think you have what it takes, they will beat a path to your door and shower you with riches. Really. Get two or more publishers interested in your work and they will try and out-bid each other in order to have you sign with them. If that happens, get out the champagne!
It goes without saying that your novel will have to have what it takes to get published. Let’s assume you’re sitting on a blockbuster: how do you get interest from potential publishing houses?
The hardest part is to get editors interested in you and your work. Every day they are bombarded with mediocre (and worse) manuscripts from idiots who don’t know what they are doing - universally called the ’slush pile’ - and that makes them wary. They will assume that you are just another idiot. So, before you get to the point of submitting a manuscript anywhere, you have to make a name for yourself.
It could take a year or so, but it’s not as hard as it sounds. If you can write a novel you can write reviews and articles. Start a blog concerned with the style of fiction you write. If you are into crime and mystery, for example, set up a site that reviews crime and mystery books. Call it something like bestcrimebooks.com - though that name has already been taken. There are lots of articles online on how to optimize your website and get it listed by search engines.
Fill your site with reviews of books you’ve recently read, though be careful not to say anything too scathing. You are trying to get the publishers and authors of these books on your side. The unspoken etiquette in reviewing is not to review rather than write a bad review. Make sure your site is well presented and that your writing is spell-checked and properly edited. If in doubt, cut. Short snappy reviews and articles are what the internet wants.
Approach authors about being interviewed, probably by email, for the site. Ask people to write you reviews, but make sure your name is splattered all over the website. Don’t forget, it is you and your books it is really promoting.
Approach your local newspapers and regional magazines. Get them to publish articles about your website/blog. Suggest you write articles and/or a regular book review column for them. Stress that you won’t want money for it… don’t forget: you’re in this to make a name for yourself and become part of the literary world in your field.
Once there are a few reviews on the site and maybe in local publications, write or email publicity departments of publishers who publish crime fiction (or whatever it is you are blogging), and request review copies. Ask to be put on their mailing lists. Send them print-offs of your site, showing the type of reviews you are doing. Tell them how important the site is and how many hits you are getting - exaggerate if you have to.
Find specialist and local bookshops, tell them about your website. Offer to put up links and include their signings and talks in your news section. Become part of the scene. Attend functions. Buy books off them. Ask for their advice on new talent.
Always talk up your website, what an important resource it is, how many visitors you get. Send copies of reviews to the people who sent you the book. Without being pushy, become their friend. Help them when they ask for it. If they push something you don’t think is very good, bend over backwards to accommodate them without ’selling out’, they will appreciate it. You should eventually find yourself on most publishers’ lists, be invited to book launches, where you will meet authors, publishers, agents and… you get the picture?
If all goes according to plan, you will come into contact with someone (or maybe several someones) who can and will help you. Perhaps an author suggesting that you should speak to his or her agent, maybe a publisher who’d be interested in looking at your manuscript. You’ve become their equal and left the ’slush pile’ behind forever. You will also have gained valuable insight into what makes a best seller and your novel will stand a hugely better chance of being published as a result.
by Jim Driver

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