Page to Publication, Step by Step

Page to Publication: A Step-by-Step Approach

Whether you write fiction, nonfiction or both, it’s important to know how best to prepare your project for today’s varied publishing options.

The Most Common Pitfall and Its Appearance

Regardless of where or how you want to publish your work, and whether you’re an emerging or an established writer, one of the biggest obstacles to publication and a good reception of your work is an underbaked project. There are various ways a project can be underdeveloped:

The concept isn’t fleshed out.

The idea isn’t presented in a fresh and original way.

The topic or theme isn’t sufficiently researched.

The project isn’t sufficiently polished.

The project doesn’t have enough scope to become a full-length work.

The writer doesn’t follow the submission guidelines.

Tip: You may not know it yet (or believe it), but you have something unique that only you can bring to your project. So ask yourself, what can I bring to this work that no one else can offer?

Storytelling

The first thing to bear in mind is that both nonfiction and fiction have one thing in common—they both aim to tell a story. So as you plan and develop your work, consider these questions:

Whose story are you telling?

Why are you telling it?

What is your story about?

Can the reader visualize what’s happening?

What do you want the reader to remember?

Use Cinematic Techniques

Since today’s writing projects can garner interest in a film version, consider creating a high-concept work that employs cinematic techniques. One definition of high concept is an impactful and easily communicated idea. The fact that the idea is easily communicated doesn’t mean the story is superficial. The idea may be straightforward, but how you present it belongs to you. Here are film techniques you can use in your fiction and nonfiction projects:

Characters/people

Conflict/challenges

Dialogue/conversations and interviews

Plot/events

Scenes/situations, anecdotes and cases

Setting/the where, when and circumstances of the work

Theme/topic and main points

World-building/whole effect

Publishing Options

While definitions and categories vary, there are four basic publishing options: traditional, independent, hybrid and self-publishing. Here are characteristics of each.

Traditional publishing: You seek representation by a literary agent who submits your work to established publishing houses. If there is interest, one or more of these houses will offer to buy your project. When this happens, the agent helps negotiate the contract and receives a fee, usually around 15% of the contract amount. The publisher will assist, at least initially, with marketing efforts, including garnering reviews.

Independent publishing: You bypass querying literary agents and submit your work to an established independent publisher, often with the same longstanding reputation as a traditional house. If there is interest, the publisher will purchase the rights to your work and offer remuneration, usually in the form of royalties.

Hybrid publishing: You bypass querying literary agents and submit your work to a publisher. If your work is accepted, you pay the publisher an amount to publish your work but own the work and receive the royalties. These houses often offer various services, such as editing, cover design and marketing, typically for a flat rate.

Self-publishing: You bypass querying literary agents and submit your work to a publisher. In most cases, these publishers accept your work for publication. You pay for any and all services and are responsible for all aspects of publication.

Tip: There are pros and cons to each choice. In today’s world, it’s not unusual for writers to switch gears from one type of publishing route to another, and the choices and timing no longer depend solely on what works best for an agent, editor or publisher, but also on what works best for the writer at that particular stage of their life and vocation.

Polishing and Presenting Your Work

Regardless of which publishing route or platform you choose, polishing your work is essential. There is still only one chance to make a first impression. Ways to polish your work include:

Beta readers: Select a few trusted readers to read and comment on part or all of your project.

Critique groups: Select or create a group that can provide valuable and constructive feedback.

Editor: Choose a professional editor with a proven track record with projects in your genre.

Mentoring: Consider working with a mentor who offers one-on-one instruction and feedback.

Read your work: Aloud to yourself, in various venues, aloud to others, via Word’s Read Aloud feature (or something similar) and record yourself.

Time and distance: Set your project aside, then return to it with fresh eyes.

Writing events: Select a writing event that includes feedback.

Tip: Seek out reputable people and resources whose claims can be substantiated.

Loglines and Queries

A logline, or elevator pitch, is an encapsulation of your project in 25 words or fewer.

For fiction, here is an example for The Godfather: "The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son."

For memoir, consider this example from Nathan Bransford for Eat, Pray, Love. “A recently divorced woman travels to Italy for pleasure, India for spirituality, and Bali for balance, but she finds love instead.”

A query is a three-paragraph letter that includes the following:

How you know the agent or editor.

What your work is about.

Your credentials for writing the work.

Sending Your Work to Agents, Editors and Publishers

Treat this aspect of your writing life as you would a job search:

Research agents, editors and publishers to select those you feel best match your project.

Attend events with these industry professionals and get to know them.

Get referrals from others who know them.

Track your submissions and responses.

Tip: Test the waters. Don’t send your project to all your top choices at once. Stagger the submissions, and pay attention to the responses. And make sure to review your materials (logline, query, synopsis, chapter outline, book proposal, marketing plan) to see how you can improve them.

Find or Create a Support Network

Make sure to have a network of friends, family and colleagues who understand the writing life, or at least are willing to listen and sympathize. While submitting your project for publication, work on other writing and nonwriting endeavors. Always have more than one iron in the fire. Also consider becoming part of a trusted writing community where you can contribute your talents and receive reliable feedback and support.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, it’s important to make the most of your resources and to take a professional approach to each aspect of the page-to-publication journey.

Resources for Writers

Craft: Adele Annesi on Writing (podcast), Word for Words blog (Adele Annesi)

Databases of literary agents and presses: Community of Literary Magazines and Presses, NewPages Guide to Calls for Submissions, Poets & Writers (Publish Your Writing)

Editors: Authors Guild, Editorial Freelancers Association

Literary agents: AgentQuery, American Association of Literary Agents, Manuscript Wish List

Queries, synopses and other materials: Jane Friedman, Nathan Bransford

Sales and marketing (free newsletters): Publishers Lunch, Publishers Weekly, WritersWeekly

Writing communities: Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association, Westport Writers’ Workshop

Reference Works

Before and After the Book Deal, by Courtney Maum

How to Self-Publish Your Book, by Dr. Jan Yager