The Three Phases of Getting Published
You've written a book, which is in itself quite a feat. People have read it, critiqued it, you've revised it, and are ready to send it out. I was insanely naive going into anything past the writing section, but getting a book published is basically a three phase process. (For self-publishers, you can just read #1 and #3, but for everyone else, buckle up!)
Phase 1: Write the book
Obvious, I know, but that's really it. You have to have something polished: a book that is ready to go (or just have a few edits) from beginning to end. (NOTE: This may not be true for nonfiction writers, but this tier definitely applies to all fiction writers of all genres.) The first draft is likely not the best draft, even if you are the most diligent of plotters, so go out to congratulate yourself, put it aside for a week, two weeks, a month, and then pick it up with fresh eyes.
Find some beta readers who you trust. Look at their notes, remembering that writing is subjective and you don't have to change everything they suggest. But, perhaps take some - or a lot. Then, put it aside for another week, come back, read it again, and see if it's ready for Phase 2.
Phase 2: Querying the book/Finding an agent/indie publisher
Querying can be difficult and can be a bit demoralizing. It hurts to get form letters back when you aren't even sure if the agent you queried read your stuff of if it was shuffled off to an intern for their opinion. Regardless, you will need to grow some thick skin, unless you are one of the lucky few who Tweet "OMG! Got an agent in my first week of querying! Yay ME!" #PleaseRealizeThatThoseTweetsHurtPeoplesFeelings
Regardless, you can silence those tweets and just get on with life. Make sure your query letter hooks people in early, your synopsis fits the requirements, and that your first page - first three chapters especially - are ready to go. By "ready to go" I mean you wouldn't be embarrassed to see them in print.
Please remember that not landing an agent is not indicative of the quality of your writing. Some of the best written books get shelved for a bit, and then published a few years later when the topic comes back "in style." Agents need to sell books. If there's not a market for zombies set in the Jane Austen-type time period, maybe there will be soon. Keep the manuscript and take your mind off it all by querying in a few months or next year. Trends change so fast in the publishing world.
Phase 3: Marketing Your Book
And I never thought about this. I really thought that my publisher would just have someone to hold my hand, and walk me through this process so that we could all sell a lot of books and make some money. Turns out that even talking to authors who worked with the Big Five, they hired their own book publicists. With a small, indie press, their PR department is one guy, so it's essentially "Here are some ideas. Go follow them. Or try to."
Your budget determines the kind of help that you can get. I would not expect to get a full-service book publicist for less than $3,000. One publicist I interviewed required $10,000 a month - with at least a three month commitment.
Low on cash? I'd start talking about your book whenever you can. Hit up the local bookstores, and talk to the manager about having them carry your book. Do your research to get the book in libraries, in schools, on Publishers Weekly. Make connections with other authors. If they are in your area, maybe you can do a reading with them or a speaking panel. Find podcasts that identify with your book's topic or any topic in your book. You can do it!
When I started this journey, no one told me about Phase 2 or Phase 3. Now, my second go-round, I'm querying with my eyes wide open, and hoping for the best!
