One of the most difficult parts of writing a acim 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. Getting a book published through a publishing company will guarantee a large distribution, slightly better legitimacy, a better chance for 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 the 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 the wants to communicate timely, unique, interesting, new, fresh, insightful, funny? In the case of fiction, is the story well written, are the characters new, exciting, 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.
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 of 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.
Finally with 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 can be viewed on their reader. 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.
