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How to Get Your Book Published

By T.R. Locke on October 16th, 2011

Choosing the Best Route to Get Your Book Published can be Tricky

One of the most difficult parts of writing a book used to be getting it published.  When you write a book, you rely on your own ideas, your own research, and your own words.  However, when it comes to getting a book published traditionally, you have to rely on others. Not anymore.

There are three ways that you can get your book published—through self-publishing, through a publishing company, or as an e-book.

Getting a Book Published Through a Traditional Publisher

Getting a book published through a publishing company will guarantee a large distribution, slightly better legitimacy, a better chance of being stocked in bookstores, and a better chance for reviews.  Publishing companies have large marketing resources to help make sure their books are given the best exposure to the market. Publishing companies also offer editorial services, book design, and target audience marketing to make sure your book has the best chance for success.

The hardest part about getting a book published through a publishing company is getting them interested.  Most publishers are looking for an easy sell. What that means is that they chose to publish books by authors who have a demonstrated platform.  A platform is a word for audience. When a publishing company considers a new author, the main thing they want to know is who will buy this author’s book. A writer with a demonstrated platform gives the publishing company confidence the book will make a profit. The types of platforms publishers generally look for are authors who are nationally known and can command media attention–this is why so many celebrities are able to write books. Other platforms include large mailing lists or newsletter subscribers, being the head of a large company, having a very active speaking schedule before large audiences, being a TV commentator or radio commentator, being in a high-profile position, being considered an expert in your field, etc.

The second thing a publisher looks for is whether the author has something significant to say. Is the information timely, unique, interesting, new, fresh, insightful, and funny? In the case of fiction, is the story well written, and are the characters new, exciting, and marketable?

Finally, a publisher will want to know what the author is willing to do to help sell the book.  Have a marketing proposal ready when meeting with the publishing company.  The more you sell your book and make it seem interesting and profitable, the more likely the company is to publish it.

Do not put all your eggs in one basket.  Branch out to many publishing companies.  The more companies you target, the more likely you are to get your book published. Fourteen agents rejected Stephanie Meyer’s blockbuster vampire book before one took a chance. To date, the book has sold well over 17 million copies. Not everyone will get your vision for your book. The key is to keep trying anyway.

Self-Publishing Your Book

The other method is to publish the book yourself. There are many self-publishing sites available on the web that offer most of the same services as traditional publishers but at a fee.  Some offer more detailed services than others, but all are able to produce a book that looks every bit as good as a traditionally published book. Fair warning, some of these services are known rip-offs so do your research, but know that just because a traditional publisher has passed on your book, it does not mean your dream of being a writer has passed too.

Publishing Your Book as an E-Book

Finally, with the growth of e-books, it is also possible to write your book on your computer and sell it directly in e-book form online. Each of the various readers–Amazon Kindle, I-pad, Nook, and Sony e-book reader all have software to convert your computer’s word processing files into a book that is able to be viewed by their readers.  You can then upload and sell your book directly on Amazon. All that you need to do is market as you would a hard copy book–get the word out to everyone with a link to buy it.

Getting a publisher for your book used to be the hardest part of writing a book. In today’s publishing world, that is no longer true.  Call today or click here for a more thorough examination of your options and a free book consultation in which I will go over your best book publishing options in complete detail.

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